Hull KR to host MKM and Sewell Group entrepreneurs to talk about investment in Super League side's future

The pair, who have known each other for more than 40 years through their work in the construction sector, are also expected to reflect on milestones in their own careers, offer insights to their mindset and approach to work, and talk about the importance of business and sporting investment to the social and economic development of Hull and East Yorkshire.

Paul Lakin, chief executive of Hull KR, said: “David and Paul got together recently for some media interviews. They’d never done that jointly before and it became clear straight away that there was a chemistry between them and a candour which would be of great interest to a business audience.

“They’re happy to talk with other business people about the factors which attracted them to rugby league and the potential they see at Hull KR and in the sport generally. It’s a one-off event and a chance to engage directly with two people who have built businesses in our East Hull heartland and achieved great success. We’re expecting strong interest in the event from our existing sponsors and business contacts who want to hear from two of the most successful entrepreneurs in the region.”

Mr Kilburn founded MKM in 1995 and the business boomed thanks to a strategy of rolling out a network of branches managed by people who were local to that community, and who held a stake in the company. It now employs 2,600 people working across more than 100 sites nationwide. Sewell Group, however, dates back as a construction business to 1876 and over the years has branched into filling stations and convenience stores, facilities management, consultancy, investments, data mapping and intelligence. It employs more than 500 people and has won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity, while making numerous appearances in the UK’s 100 Best Companies to Work For Awards.

Paul Sewell became chairman of the club in November 2022, supporting owner Neil Hudgell and Mr Lakin to form a new board of directors. Since then, the club have announced the addition of Mr Kilburn, Ian Richardson, James McNicol and Becky Oughtibridge.

Mr Sewell said: “We are a board that has come here to help and to attract investment and make this the best-run Super League club in the country, not the richest. That’s why we’ve got the best business people I know. I look forward to sharing some stories and insight at the event.”

Hull KR’s commitment to giving back to the community is thought to have started as early as January 1886, when the club donated the proceeds of their home fixture against Beverley to the relief fund for the families of eight men killed in Albert Dock when a boiler on the steamer Cartago Nova blew up. In 1887, the club donated the proceeds of their first ever trophy win (The Times Cup vs Selby ‘A’), to local medical charities.

In March 2022, Hull KR confirmed the purchase of Sewell Group Craven Park.

The business brunch will take place there on May 4, with brunch from 9.30am, an interview with Q&A at 10.15am and networking at 11.15am. To book, head to hullkr.co.uk/businessbrunch