Willis Towers Watson (WTW), the global risk management solutions company which has a major office in Ipswich, has become the third patron of the Suffolk Young Chamber initiative run by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.

East Anglian Daily Times: Mark Parker, managing director of Willis Towers Watson (WTS) in Ipswich. Picture: WTWMark Parker, managing director of Willis Towers Watson (WTS) in Ipswich. Picture: WTW (Image: Archant)

Suffolk Young Chamber, whose patrons already include EDF Energy and Suffolk New College, aims to bridge the worlds of work and education, with 15 schools and colleges signed up. Activities include talks from local entrepreneurs, interview technique workshops and CV writing support.

Mark Parker, managing director of WTW in Ipswich, said that the company regularly recruited dozens of the best local school leavers each year.

“Our commitment to nurturing great future talent also extends to a programme of support within Willis Towers Watson called the Young Professionals Group,” he added.

“It was, therefore, a logical next step to become patrons of Suffolk Young Chamber in order to broaden our links to work with more schools and colleges across the county.”

Amanda Ankin, operations director at Suffolk Chamber, said “it’s great to have such a prestigious company backing us in this way. We have a longstanding and mutually supportive relationship with Willis Towers Watson and this will serve to deepen it even further.

“Young Chamber patrons are able to participate in a number of additional products from the Chamber’s suite of services including sector specific events, business/education business leaders’ dinners and delivering specific employability events into Suffolk schools.”

Suffolk Chamber is in discussions with other businesses about becoming patrons in other market sectors. Firms interested in becoming Young Chamber patrons should contact Amanda Ankin by email to amanda@suffolkchamber.co.uk.