The Suffolk Business Board was established in May 2024 following the integration of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership functions into Suffolk County Council. It comprises representatives from business, education, the voluntary sector and local government.
Business Board members:
Chair: Mark Pendlington
Deputy Chair: Cllr Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council
Doug Field, East of England Co-Op
Oliver Paul, Suffolk Food Hall
Lisa Perkins, Tech East
Peter Brady, Orbital Global
Kelly Boosey, Oxford Innovation
Leanne Gittins, LME Recruitment
John Dugmore, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
Tom Ball, Ipswich Town Football Club
Hannah Bloom, Suffolk Community Foundation
Paul Ager, Associated British Ports
Marek Hornak, University of Suffolk
Nikos Savvas, Eastern Education Group
Cllr Richard Smith MVO, Suffolk County Council
Cllr Andy Mellen, Mid Suffolk District Council
Cllr Neil MacDonald, Ipswich Borough Council
Suffolk Business Board is backing the Ipswich City of Culture bid — an exciting opportunity for the town to take the national spotlight as a thriving creative hub.
Ipswich already has the proud heritage and the big ambition. What it needs now is recognition and investment to unlock further its cultural potential and create new and exciting opportunities for the future.
The bid is being led by DanceEast and will be submitted on 8 February 2026. Before then, local residents and organisations are being asked to #BackTheBid and sign up to show their support.
Mark Pendlington, Chair of the Suffolk Business Board, said:
“Ipswich is bursting with creativity and talent. This bid is a big opportunity to celebrate what makes the town unique, attract new investment, and create lasting opportunities for local people, businesses and visitors. We’re very proud to support the bid and urge others to do the same.”
WHERE BIG
IDEAS HAPPEN.
