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
Welcome to your Autumn update from the Suffolk Business Board
Business activity across Suffolk is busier than ever. Our sectors continue to innovate, compete and win in markets across the UK and overseas, and the Suffolk Business Board is focussed on skills, inward investment and securing opportunities for business development.
We are looking forward to the National AI Awards coming to Suffolk in October, and to the Suffolk Convention which will bring together all those who are working to champion business growth across the county. And we are supporting Devolution for Suffolk and Norfolk, and the financial benefits that will follow.
And we do not forget the other essentials. Making sure that vital support such as our grants and skills programmes remain accessible to those w
ho can benefit most – please take a moment to read about this below.
We are excited about the real momentum that is building, and I look forward to us all keeping in touch as Suffolk powers ahead.
– Mark Pendlington, Business Board Chair
The integration of diverse technologies such as digital, AI, clean tech, robotics and satellite applications into established industry sectors provides significant opportunity to drive clean, productive economic growth. Here’s our round-up of tech news and updates.
📅16 October
📍Adastral Park
The National AI Awards 2025 will shine a spotlight on the remarkable advances and contributions in the field of artificial intelligence – and we couldn’t be more excited that they’re happening here in Suffolk for the second year running.
Suffolk Economy is proud to be sponsoring the Product of the Year award, which recognises an outstanding solution that demonstrates innovation, impact, and real-world value – setting new standards in AI and shaping the future of industry. Read more about the AI awards.
AI game platform Tilki has raised $2.2 million in pre-seed funding to support development of its AI-first approach to video game creation. The team is building tools that let players and creators shape evolving game worlds without coding, with a closed beta due in six months.
Tilki were part of the delegation of companies taken to Slush in Helsinki last year by the Connected Innovation, Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited, Game Anglia and Games London teams. Read more about their story on the Connected Innovation website.
The free AI Readiness Assessment from the Code Institute is a great way to review your current strengths, highlight gaps, and create a plan for future development.
Complete the assessment by 23 October to get a clear snapshot of where your company stands and a tailored roadmap for next steps. Signing up also gives you access to supporting materials including recorded webinars that will take you through the process, and explore the benefits for your business. Start your journey here.
Delivered in partnership with Norfolk County Council and the Code Institute.
After the pandemic put an end to his hospitality career, Jake was looking for a new direction. Curious about coding, he started with a free web development course from Netmatters, then completed a Unity Coding Bootcamp with Tech Educators.
Fast forward to today: Jake is freelancing as a VR and AR games developer, working on a number of interactive projects. His story is just one of hundreds across Norfolk and Suffolk where Skills Bootcamps are helping people reskill, upskill, and step into new opportunities.
👉 Read Jake’s story and explore skills bootcamps opportunities
“Suffolk develops more AI-related patents than anywhere else in the UK.
“Investment and support will build on our existing lead in AI and potentially help develop its future interplay with quantum computing.
“This is likely to produce the most important converged technology of the 21st century, revolutionising industries such as healthcare, cyber security and many others.”
CEO of Orbital Global and VirtTuri, and Suffolk Business Board member Peter Brady has shared his views on how Suffolk is leading the charge on AI, in a recent article on Ipswich.co.uk. You can read the article here – and watch out for new Talking Heads interview with Peter which explores these topics in more detail, coming soon!
Suffolk Business Board member Doug Field OBE shares his perspective on what makes Suffolk such a strong proposition for business and investment.
Having led the largest independent retail organisation in East Anglia as former CEO of the East of England Co-op, and with a strong background in finance and regional growth, Doug brings deep insight into how Suffolk can continue to grow in a smart, clean and inclusive way.
With thanks to Mike Rigby of Eastern Promise for hosting the interview.
Suffolk Business Board backs devolution as catalyst for growth: open letter
Ukrainian drone manufacturer to build factory and test site in Suffolk
An ambitious new plan to tackle economic inactivity and boost employment across the county has been approved by Suffolk County Council’s cabinet.
At its heart is the launch of Connect to Work, a major new programme designed to support people with health conditions, disabilities and complex barriers into sustainable and meaningful employment.
Backed by up to £9.5 million in funding from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Connect to Work aims to support more than 2,700 Suffolk residents over the next five years.
Get Suffolk working will help further address causes of economic inactivity and barriers to employment so that our residents can fully benefit from the growth created and employment opportunities we are aiming to deliver through the Suffolk Economic Strategy and the work of the Suffolk Business Board.
The programme will offer tailored training, personalised support and job placements, helping people find meaningful work that aligns with their strengths, aspirations and work experience.
Are you ready to grow your Suffolk business? We have funding available for micro, small and medium-sized businesses through the Suffolk Economy Grants programme. Find out more and start your application.
We’re excited to launch a call for evidence to support a collaborative Norfolk and Suffolk bid into the Local Innovation Partnership Fund (LIPF).
The LIPF is designed to accelerate high-growth clusters and innovation ecosystems by supporting a portfolio of projects that:
A range of eligible activities are outlined in our news article here.
This effort is being co-ordinated by the Connected Innovation team, working closely with regional partners including the Norfolk and Suffolk Business Boards. It builds on Connected Innovation’s role as the delivery vehicle for the region’s Innovate UK Local Action Plan and its strong relationships with Government Departments.
Have a project idea?
We want to hear from you! Please submit your ideas to info@connectedinnovation.co.uk by Friday 24 October.
The Suffolk Economy team and Business Board members are showcasing Suffolk Economy at a range of events throughout the autumn – demonstrating why our county is such a great place to live, work and grow your business. If you’re at any of the upcoming events, make sure to come over and say hello!
📅 16 October – National AI Awards
📅 22 October – Innovate Local East of England
📅 20 November – East of England Business Bootcamp
WHERE BIG
IDEAS HAPPEN.
