Mark Pendlington, Business Board Chair
Mark is the interim chair of the business board for the first year. Mark has worked across the public and private sectors in industry, national and regional voluntary organisations, further and higher education, economic development bodies and academia, and also served as the High Sheriff of Suffolk from 2023-24. Mark worked for organisations including Anglian Water, BAA Stansted, the Country Land and Business Association and University of Suffolk
Peter Brady, CEO, Orbital Global and VirtTuri
Peter is CEO of Orbital Global, CEO of VirtTuri and Co-Founder of Innovation Labs Group. Stowmarket-based Orbital Global is made up of three divisions: Orbital Media, a leading digital marketing agency; Orbital Research, which is engaged in pioneering healthcare research; and Orbital Innovations, which specialises in AI, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and gamification technologies. Peter was previously a LEP Board member and Chair of the LEP’s Council for Digital Tech.
Doug Field, CEO, East of England Co-op
Doug joined the East of England Co-op as CEO in 2008. Doug is passionate about living and working in the East and has previously been Chair of New Anglia LEP and Chair of their Agri-Food Industry Council. He became a Trustee of Green Light Trust in December 2020 and is currently Vice Chair. Doug was awarded an OBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List for his work supporting businesses across Suffolk and Norfolk.
Lisa Perkins, Chair of Tech East
Lisa is Chair of Tech East, a group focused on developing the digital and technology industry in the region. As well as being chair of Tech East and co-chair of the University of Suffolk DigiTech Centre, Lisa is a board member of UEA’s Productivity East and the Innovation board for New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, vice chair of East Suffolk Council Community Partnership Board and a trustee for Lapwing Education. Lisa was previously director of Adastral Park, BT’s research and development headquarters.
Oliver Paul, CEO, Suffolk Food Hall
Since 2005, Oliver has developed farming interests and helped establish the Suffolk Food Hall. This venture is an exemplar for local food, independent businesses, and collaborations. He is involved in several Suffolk initiatives including the Ipswich DMO, Greener Ipswich, Suffolk Day, Visit Suffolk, Suffolk Agricultural Association, the Suffolk Medal panel and other organisations. Oliver’s early career was as a business consultant with CapGemini working across Europe.
Paul Ager, Divisional Port Manager at Associated British Ports
Paul Ager is the divisional port manager for Associated British Ports (ABP), providing senior leadership across ABP’s 3 East Anglian ports: Kings Lynn, Lowestoft and Ipswich.
Paul joined ABP in June 2016 with more than 14 years of leadership experience in Logistics, Supply Chain and the Construction sector, having held various regional operational leadership roles driving cross-functional teams to deliver high levels of strategic growth and customer service across the UK.
Kelly Boosey, Centre Manager, Oxford Innovation Haverhill
Kelly has over 25 years experience in leadership roles across the hospitality, leisure/tourism, and innovation sectors. Highlights have included Destination Manager for a leading Tour Operator (overseas), Director of a PR, Marketing and Events business, Estates Manager for a leading UK leisure brand (based at their holiday village in Suffolk) and most recently as Commercial Manager for Oxford Innovation.
Leanne Gittins, Managing Director, LME recruitment
With over 15 years dedicated to the realm of Shipping and Logistics Recruitment within Suffolk, Leanne is Managing Director of LME Recruitment (Logistics Made Easy). Clients range from large global corporations such as the Port of Felixstowe to burgeoning enterprises in the sector. Leanne is also a Board member at Felixstowe Chamber board and has previously served as a board member at Brave Futures. Leanne is from Suffolk and is also a care leaver.
Tom Ball, CFO, Ipswich Town Football Club
Tom has been CFO at ITFC since 2022. He has operated at board level for several years and has hands on experience leading all aspects of business, including Investment, Operations, Sales, HR, IT and Marketing. He previously worked in the Housing Sector, leading Finance and Investment strategy, including a management buy-out from previous PE ownership.
Tom started his career at PWC working in audit, and mergers and acquisitions.
John Dugmore, CEO, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
John has been involved in business development and support throughout his career. Before taking the reins at Suffolk Chamber he led the customer-facing directorate of Liverpool Chamber during the city’s acclaimed regeneration process.
John is a Fellow of the Institute of Marketing and Fellow of the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs.
Nikos Savvas, CEO, Eastern Education Group
Nikos has a PhD in High Energy Experimental Particle Physics and began his teaching career as a physics teacher in 2002. He joined West Suffolk College in 2013 as Principal and Chief Executive and re-shaped its culture and strategy to create a financially-outstanding, high-quality institution with its students and community at the heart of all decisions. Nikos passionately sees education as the factor that he can influence to transform people’s lives for the better.
Councillor Matthew Hicks, Leader, Suffolk County Council
Matthew has been a county councillor since 2013 and has served as Leader of Suffolk County Council since May 2018. He has been Chair of the East of England Local Government Association for the last two years. In his role as Leader, he is committed to working collaboratively across Suffolk with the district and borough councils, leaders of the health sector, business and the wider Suffolk community. He has also served as a Member of Mid Suffolk District Council since 2011.
Councillor Richard Smith MVO, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Economic Development and Skills, Suffolk County Council
Richard has been a county councillor since 2010. He has held a number of Cabinet roles, including the Finance portfolio between 2015-19, and resumed this role in May 2024 when he became Deputy Leader of the council. He also holds political responsibility for the county council’s strategy around economic development and skills provision in Suffolk, to which he attaches high importance, and intends to pursue these important topics through working with Business Board members.
Councillor Caroline Topping, Leader, East Suffolk District Council
Caroline has been working for (and volunteering in) the community for over 40 years. She began as a Town Councillor in Beccles 12 years ago serving two back to back years as Mayor. She was later elected as both a District Councillor and County Councillor. Caroline has held a number of roles as part of her councillor duties including Overview and Scrutiny and Assets. In 2023, she was elected as Leader of East Suffolk Council, heading an administration formed of Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent members of the authority. East Suffolk Council is the largest non-metropolitan district council in England.
Caroline has a wealth of experience with particular skills around sales and marketing, event planning and managing, fundraising, campaign and advocacy and building community resilience. Caroline has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Psychological Studies.
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader, Ipswich Borough Council
Neil is the Leader of Ipswich Borough Council where he holds the Place and Economic Development portfolios. He is from the North of Scotland and moved to Ipswich after graduation to work at BT Adastral Park. He had a 35-year career in technology specialising in data centre infrastructure and cyber security. He is now keen to foster a prosperous and sustainable future for Ipswich and realise the undoubted potential of the town.
Hannah Bloom, Chief Executive, Suffolk Community Foundation
Hannah has more than two decades of experience working in the charity and voluntary services sector. She has held senior positions at St Elizabeth Hospice, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and Suffolk Age UK, gaining extensive knowledge of the challenges facing local charities.
She became Chief Executive of Suffolk Community Foundation in February 2025.
Marek Hornak, Pro Vice-Chancellor - Commercial and Academic Partnerships, University of Suffolk
Marek is a Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Commercial and Academic partnerships overseeing business engagement, access to student and graduate talent, apprenticeships, CPD, and regional growth. During his 17 years in higher education, Marek led the strategic development and delivery of regional skills and innovation programmes supporting business innovation, workforce upskilling, R&D infrastructure, and start-ups, all adding to the regional socio-economic growth.
