From boxing to business and the Bridlington Spa panto, Tommy Coyle prepares to share his stories at Humber Business Week Elevenses event

A champion boxer who became a successful businessman and will soon be treading the boards as a pantomime baddie will share some of the stories behind his continuing journey in one of the stand-out events at this year’s Humber Business Week.

Tommy Coyle, known for the non-stop energy and ideas which also drive countless community support ventures, will sit down for an hour at Hull Truck Theatre to chat with Biz Week founder Paul Sewell in his annual Elevenses session.

Paul, who is also chair of Sewell Group and Hull Kingston Rovers, has been a mentor to Tommy for more than 10 years but this will be their first encounter at Elevenses, which became part of the Biz Week programme in 2021. 

Previous guests have included broadcaster Steph McGovern, politician Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, award-winning playwright John Godber and writer, strategist and mental health campaigner Alastair Campbell.

Paul said: “Tommy has been on my list for a long time but he’s not always easy to pin down! Now we’ve got him, we’ll be in a great city centre venue which is new to us, and we’ll fit as much as we can into the time we have.”

Tommy became the Commonwealth lightweight champion in 2018 and retired the following year with a professional boxing record of 25 wins in 30 fights. His brothers have excelled in their chosen sports with Joe a professional golfer, Lewie captain of Hull City and Rocco rising through the ranks at the Tigers.

Sport, health and fitness are also at the heart of Tommy’s business activities with TC60 operating gyms in Hull and Hessle and Coyle Health & Wellbeing providing services to a number of major businesses and their employees.

Paul said: “It’s a sporting pedigree which leaves you struggling to think of any other families, from Hull and much further afield, who have made their mark on so many different activities.

“The family connection also runs through Tommy’s business interests, which have their roots in the fresh fruit business built up by Tommy’s late father Chris. And then there’s Tommy’s passion for supporting and building communities, whether it’s coaching sessions for young people or giving out school uniforms to hard-pressed families.

“So most people in the Hull area will have heard of Tommy Coyle, but who exactly is he? Elevenses is a natter rather than a grilling and as it’s Humber Business Week we’ll aim to focus on that career from market trader to health and fitness entrepreneur. 

“But there’s also Tommy’s role as King Rat in the Dick Whittington pantomime at Bridlington Spa this year. Who saw that coming?”

Tommy said: “Paul has been a trusted friend and adviser for many years, helping me set up and develop my businesses, and I’m really looking forward to sitting down with him for Elevenses.

“I’ll be looking to learn from Paul and from other people in the room, and if members of the audience find ideas and inspiration from elements of my story then that’s even better.”

Elevenses featuring Paul Sewell with Tommy Coyle will take place in the Hull Truck Theatre studio at 10.30 for 11am on Wednesday June 4. To book visit https://www.humberbusinessweek.co.uk/