Sector Groups

Sector Growth

In Norfolk and Suffolk we have strong concentrations of nationally and some globally competitive sectors. The New Anglia LEP recognises the importance of building on these sectors to create new jobs and strengthen the economy. The LEP has published a Sector Growth Strategy which can be read here outlining our plans to enable these sectors to flourish.

Sector Groups

To support this plan New Anglia is developing a series of business-led sector groups. Each of these will represent a sector which has the potential for growth in Suffolk and Norfolk.
The aim for each group is to identify ways of growing that sector and removing barriers to growth - enabling the private sector to create more jobs.

Energy

After Aberdeen, the east of England is the second largest centre for the UK energy industry.
The East of England Energy Group has 350 members with businesses operating across the energy spectrum from oil and gas, to wind, wave and tidal. The Group is working to identify opportunities to secure new business for its members as well as promoting the unique all energy offer provided by Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. LEP board member Mark Goodall is the acting chairman of the EEEGR.
For more information on EEEGR visit: www.eeegr.com

Tourism

Tourism in Norfolk and Suffolk generates £4 billion each year. Visit East Anglia has been developed as a private sector led tourism body to provide powerful marketing operations for the Suffolk and Norfolk tourism brands.
Visit East Anglia is currently working closely with public and private sector partners to take this initiative forward. Visit East Anglia is chaired by business leader Richard Ellis.
For more information on Visit East Anglia contact: info@visiteastanglia.net

Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering

A new private sector-led group is in place to support this key sector. Supported by Hethel Engineering Centre, New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering represents industry businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk. Joint chairs are business leaders Anthony Howell and Tom Palmer.
For more information on NAAME visit: www.hethelcentre.com/naame/index.php

Food, Drink and Agriculture

A Norfolk and Suffolk Rural Economy Board has been created, to look at jobs growth in food, drink and agriculture. The board includes representatives from the National Farmers’ Union and the agricultural associations of Suffolk and Norfolk as well as food and farming businesses in both counties.
The group is chaired by David Lawrence, principal of Easton and Otley College.
For more information on the Norfolk and Suffolk Food, Farming and Rural Economy Board contact Ches.Broom@eastonotley.ac.uk

Creative and cultural industries

Both Suffolk and Norfolk have a rich cultural and creative history and a strong cluster of innovative businesses. Separate groups have been developed focused on the Digital Creative sector and the Cultural Creative Sector bringing together leading individuals from the public, private and academic sectors.
The chair of the New Anglia Digital Creative Group is John Last, vice chancellor of Norwich University of the Arts.
For more information on the New Anglia Digital Creative Group contact: J.Last@nua.ac.uk
The chair of the New Anglia Cultural Board is Helen Wilson, chair of the Norfolk Cultural Board.
For more information on the New Anglia Cultural Boardcontact: helen_wilson77@hotmail.com 

New Anglia Cultural Board Minutes 23 March 2012

ICT

Based at BT’s European research and development campus in Suffolk, Innovation Martlesham is the regional ICT Enterprise Hub.
Business leaders Ian Buxton of BT and Neil Miles of Smart421 are leading on the development of an ICT group, building on the strengths of Innovation Martlesham and the IP Network.

Financial Services

Norwich is a major national centre for the financial sector and has a long-established business-led group, the Financial Industry Group. The Financial Industry Group is chaired by business leader Steve Davidson.
For more information on the Norwich Financial Industry Group visit: www.fignorfolk.com
Recognising the importance of Ipswich as a financial services centre, businesses in Ipswich are creating a financial services group to support the Ipswich financial services cluster. This group is chaired by Paul Winter, chief executive of the Ipswich Building Society. For  information on this contact PaulWinter@ibs.co.uk

Ports and Logistics

An important sector for both Suffolk and Norfolk, a group is being established to bring this sector together. Support is being provided for this group by the Haven Gateway Partnership.

Life Sciences

Norwich Research Park is a global research centre in life sciences and has recently been  awarded £26m by Government to support enterprise and job creation. Suffolk's science specialisms include equine health and stem cell research.
Professor Brendan Noble of University Campus Suffolk is chair of this group.
Contact: b.noble@UCS.AC.UK

Other sectors:

The LEP is also looking at ways in which it can support other sectors, including retail, construction and the voluntary sector, all of which are significant contributors to the local economy.