Suffolk Chamber launches its Central Suffolk branch, board and manifesto

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, the county’s leading business organisation, this month successfully launched its newest branch and its manifesto for action in front of a packed audience at an event hosted by Finborough Hall.

Earlier this year, Suffolk Chamber kicked off the process to establish a new subsidiary in the area of the county covered by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils.  The initiative is designed to complement the Chamber’s existing root and branch approach to lobbying, representation and business support in west and east Suffolk.

Dr. Peter Funnell accepted an invitation to become founder chair of Suffolk Chamber in Central Suffolk in the summer. Peter was president of Suffolk Chamber between 2010 and 2014 and currently is a director of the central Suffolk-based consultancy Oakmere Solutions Ltd.

Over the autumn, Peter has been working with Chamber staff to recruit a Central Suffolk board that reflects the diversity of Chamber membership in the area and work with them to develop a manifesto that will give direction and purpose to its long term local campaigning and business support activities.

At the launch Dr Peter Funnell said: “I’m excited by the talented team recruited to the board of Suffolk Chamber in Central Suffolk. As the newest member of the Suffolk Chamber family, we look forward to working innovatively with stakeholders to support business success and promote environmentally sustainable economic development.”

“Our manifesto is focused on three key themes: people, trade and infrastructure. It is the first of the new wave of campaigning literature that will be rolled out elsewhere across the Suffolk Chamber network over the following months.”

Suffolk Chamber chief executive, John Dugmore, added: “It’s been a privilege to see the new Suffolk Chamber branch taking shape. I’m sure that Suffolk Chamber in Central Suffolk under Peter’s leadership will be an effective and long-term voice for all businesses, not only our members, in this pivotal part of our county.”

 The Finborough Hall event was sponsored by the Alan Boswell Group.

The Suffolk Chamber in Central Suffolk manifesto can be accessed here.

Photo: Dr. Peter Funnell and fellow board members – credit Mark Westley