A “BROAD cross-section” of Suffolk’s business, third sector and educational organisations is set to steer a body which promotes tourism and investment in the county.

Choose Suffolk announced the members of its new supervisory board for the county following an inaugural meeting last week.

They include Ian Buxton, programme director at BT Martlesham, Alan Ridealgh, managing director of Muntons Ltd at Stowmarket, and Helen Scott-Davis, chief executive of the Suffolk Education and Business Partnership

The board, which also includes representatives from Suffolk County Council and district and borough councils, will be tasked with shaping the county’s economic development and strategic vision and lobbying for the county to receive its share of inward investment funding.

Choose Suffolk chief executive Celia Hodson said the board would play a central role in influencing the county’s economic agenda.

“We are thrilled that some of the county’s most influential people have welcomed the opportunity to become members of our supervisory board,” she said.

“We have worked hard to identify the county’s key economic drivers and then set out to attract the relevant business leaders, who have been nominated by a variety of membership and trade bodies, to be the specialist voice of their business community.

“These economic leaders will be tasked with developing the strategy for the county’s recession recovery plan.”

“The supervisory board is in place to help us to lead Suffolk out of the recession and drive forward our economic recovery and delivery plan. They will collectively agree the County’s priorities to drive forward our economy. Choose Suffolk, as the pan-county vehicle for inward investment and tourism, is working towards these agreed ambitions.”

The new supervisory board will become the collective voice for the economic prosperity of the county and act as a champion for Suffolk, as well as being a robust lobbying force to drive that ambition.

The board members will also champion the Suffolk brand, and work in collaboration to achieve shared economic outcomes.

David Ralph, chief executive of the Haven Gateway Partnership and a also member of the supervisory board, said: “There is a clear need for collaborative working in Suffolk, bringing together a broad base of relevant representatives to bring leadership and direction to the county’s economic prosperity.”

Andy Wood, managing director of Adnams and chairman of Choose Suffolk, added: “This new supervisory board brings together some very talented people with impressive expertise from across the county’s key sectors.

“They will play an instrumental role in shaping Suffolk’s future economic direction and an integral part in the organisation’s development.”