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
Business leaders across Norfolk and Suffolk have called on incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to make the region a national priority for investment, arguing that backing its energy, innovation, food and logistics sectors could accelerate economic growth, strengthen national resilience and help deliver the Government’s ambitions.
Norfolk and Suffolk can make an even greater contribution to delivering the Government’s priorities for growth, investment and national resilience if the region receives the support its UK-leading sectors need to maximise their potential.
That is the resounding message sent from the Norfolk and Suffolk Business Boards to incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham as he prepares to take office and usher in a new era at Westminster.
In a joint letter, the Norfolk and Suffolk Business Boards urge the Prime Minister to:
Together, these three commitments would enable Norfolk and Suffolk to make an even greater contribution to the UK’s economic growth, productivity, resilience and long-term competitiveness.
Nick Steven-Jones, Chair of the Norfolk Business Board, said: “The Prime Minister has spoken about trusting places to shape their own future. Norfolk and Suffolk are ready for that challenge. We’re not asking Government to start from scratch, we’re asking it to back strengths that already exist. With the right partnership, our region can make an even greater contribution to the UK’s energy security, food resilience, innovation and long-term growth.”
“What makes our region distinctive is the convergence of these strengths. Few places combine nationally significant energy infrastructure, world-leading research, advanced digital capability, globally connected logistics and diverse rural and coastal environments within a single geography,” says the letter.
“This presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate how innovation, investment and partnership can deliver national priorities.”
The boards believe Norfolk and Suffolk can become the UK’s national demonstrator region for innovation, bringing together Government, business and academia to develop, test and scale new technologies before they are deployed nationally.
Building on assets such as Adastral Park, Norwich Research Park and the Connected Innovation network, it can accelerate the commercialisation and adoption of new technologies across energy, agri-food, advanced manufacturing, defence, digital technologies and space.
The business boards have also underlined the importance of helping business invest, commercialise research, build the workforces they need for the future, and support for thriving town centres.
Lisa Perkins, Chair of the Suffolk Business Board, said: “Government should invest where Britain already has a competitive advantage. Norfolk and Suffolk are home to world-class strengths in energy, food, digital technologies and global trade. With targeted Government backing, our region can become a national demonstrator for innovation while helping to deliver the Government’s ambitions for growth while creating high-value jobs and attracting investment.”
Norfolk and Suffolk’s Joint Growth Proposition makes the case for the region punching above its weight across sectors that are critical for driving national growth. Through this message to the Prime Minister, they are offering to be a partner in delivering the Government’s growth agenda.
WHERE BIG
IDEAS HAPPEN.
