New Chair and board appointments at Suffolk Business Board

An established Board member, Lisa succeeds Mark Pendlington, who steps down after completing his two-year term.

The Suffolk Business Board is led by local business representatives and oversees funded programmes supporting business growth and skills development across Suffolk.

As Chair, Lisa will work with Board members and partners on the Board’s ongoing programme of activity, focused on clean and inclusive growth across the local economy.

Lisa Perkins, Chair of the Suffolk Business Board, said:

“I’m delighted to take on the role of Chair at such an important time for the Board and for Suffolk’s economy. With strong foundations already in place, I look forward to working with fellow Board members, partners and businesses across the county to build on this momentum and support Suffolk as a great place to start, grow and invest in business. I would also like to thank our outgoing Chair Mark Pendlington for the contribution and commitment he has made to Suffolk’s economy.”

Four new appointments have also been made to the Board, bringing expertise across agri-food, clean energy, ports and logistics, and the visitor economy:

• Bee Kemball, Managing Director, Debach Enterprises Ltd

• Jonathan Reynolds, Managing Director, Opergy Group

• Genevieve Christie, Chief Executive Officer, First Light Festival CIC

• Andrew Wilkinson, formerly Chief Executive Officer at The University of Manchester Innovation Factory Ltd

Alongside the new members, Steve Beel, CEO of Freeport East, will regularly attend board meetings as an observer to help ensure coordination between the Suffolk Local Growth Plan and the Freeport East strategy.