Suffolk Business Board takes over role of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) this month

A new board has been established to help steer Suffolk’s economic strategy to create a ‘stronger, higher-skilled economy’.

The Suffolk Business Board takes over the role of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in providing a voice for business in Suffolk. It will start meeting later this month.

Mark Pendlington, business leader and former High Sheriff of Suffolk, will serve as interim chair for the first year. Cllr Matthew Hicks, leader of Suffolk County Council, will serve as deputy chair.

A total of 16 representatives from business, education and local government will join them to bring experience in key Suffolk sectors including agri-food, retail, technology, education, ports and logistics, and the visitor economy.

The board will be supported by Suffolk County Council’s Economic Development team.

One of its key objectives in the first six months will be to define a refreshed economic strategy for Suffolk.

Mr Pendlington said: “I am delighted to have been invited to chair the Board and to work with senior leaders from business, education and local government to create a new economic strategy for Suffolk.

“Our county is full of talent, ideas and innovation, and our job is to harness all of that expertise and experience to help secure a long-term sustainable future for our county in the competitive national and international economy.

“We have inherited from the New Anglian LEP a strong legacy of inward investment, improved skills and new jobs.

“Suffolk is home to many world-class businesses, with thousands more that have big ambitions for growth.

“The board will be looking to deliver a strategy that underpins this success and establishes the county as one of the best places in the UK to live, work and learn.”

The Suffolk Business Board has been established following the government’s decision to bring the function of Local Enterprise Partnerships into local authorities from April 2024.

Other board members are:

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 Reid, Community Action Suffolk

Paul Ager, Associated British Ports

Gurpreet Jagpal, 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