Lisa Perkins, Business Board Chair
Lisa became Chair of the Suffolk Business Board in Spring 2026. Also Chair of Tech East, Lisa has played a leading role in developing the region’s digital and technology sector, bringing together business, education and government to drive innovation and growth. With over 25 years of expertise in delivering corporate innovation and cutting-edge technologies, Lisa specialises in leading and driving strategies for innovation and transformation.
Lisa was previously Director of Adastral Park, BT’s global research and development headquarters, where she led major innovation programmes and helped transform the site into one of the UK’s significant technology clusters. She is CPO for Plexal, a national mission led innovation company driving growth on behalf of government, helping SMEs to scale and driving regional impact.
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, Founder, Beacon Advantage
Doug is the former CEO of the East of England Co-op. Since leaving the East of England Co-op in December 2024 he has been working with MyBigSky on bringing Joy and Fulfilment to High-Performance Leadership. 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.
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, Head of Commercial, SKC Studios
Kelly Boosey is a commercial and innovation leader with over 25 years’ experience across the hospitality, leisure, tourism and innovation sectors. As Head of Commercial (UK & Europe) at SKC Studios and 1956 Individuals, she helps organisations transform customer and visitor engagement through AI-powered digital characters and immersive experiences.
Her previous roles span Destination Manager for a leading overseas tour operator, Director marketing agency, Estates Manager for a major UK leisure brand based in Suffolk, and Commercial Manager at Oxford Innovation, giving her a strong track record in place-based growth, brand building and portfolio management
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.
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.
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.
Genevieve Christie, CEO, First Light Festival CIC
Genevieve Christie is a cultural changemaker who co-founded and runs the multi-arts, First Light Festival which attracts more than 40,000 people to Lowestoft each year, as well as overseeing East Point Pavilion on Lowestoft’s seafront and its programme of community activity. Currently she is working on the development of the new cultural quarter in Lowestoft town centre, which First Light will run from 2028.
Previously, she worked as a television producer, commissioning many co-productions between UK and international broadcasters, was a founder director of award-winning publisher Full Circle Editions and literary arts charity Flipside. She sits on the Executive of the Norfolk and Suffolk Culture Board, is the Deputy Chair of the Lowestoft Place Board, is a board member of the East of England Creative Industries Board, the Anglia Ruskin University Creative Industries Advisory Board and Clay 1A Advisory Board. She is also a trustee of the Framlingham Arts Trust.
Johnathan Reynolds FRSA, Managing Director, Opergy Group
Johnathan is the Managing Director of Opergy Group, a strategic consulting firm specialising in energy, infrastructure, and sustainability. He brings deep expertise across nuclear, offshore wind, and the wider clean energy transition, helping to turn complex regional challenges into defined pathways for economic impact and sustainable growth.
With a long track record in regional leadership, Johnathan is a former Board Member of the New Anglia LEP and previously chaired the Suffolk and Norfolk Innovation Board. He is also a co-founder of Hydrogen East and serves as a Trustee for Petans, the specialist professional training provider for the energy industry.
Bee Kemball DL, Managing Director, Debach Enterprises
Bee has business interests within a group of privately owned and managed businesses in third party logistics, agriculture, commercial property, plant hire, film locations, glamping sites and green energy.
Her voluntary interests include supporting the Lord Lieutenancy here in Suffolk with particular focus on food poverty and the geographical areas of Ipswich and Woodbridge, Trustee of Suffolk Agricultural Association and Honorary Commander of RAF Mildenhall for the USAF Colonel Byrum. Leisure interests include fly fishing, gardening, walking, skiing and reading.
Andrew Wilkinson
Andrew was a successful CEO with extensive experience leading international technology businesses in a wide range of sectors. His previous roles include: CEO of The University of Manchester Innovation Factory, CEO of Graphene Enabled Systems, Regional Managing Director North America & British Isles Socomec, and Commercial Director of ICI Imagedata.
He is a specialist in the industrialisation and commercialisation of innovation and business growth/turn-around. Andrew has extensive experience raising venture capital and led the creation of Northern Gritstone, a £400m technology investment fund. He also has acted as an advisor to both minsters, shadow ministers and regional government on innovation policy. Andrew lives in Suffolk.
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.
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.
