LUKE Morris, a partner at the Ipswich office of chartered accountants Larking Gowen, has been appointed chairman of the Suffolk branch of the Institute of Directors.

He succeeds Paul Winter, chief executive of Ipswich Building Society, who has completed a two-year term in the role.

Mr Morris, joined Larking Gowen as a partner in November 2011. His remit is to develop the firm’s corporate business and he also leads its energy sector specialisation.

“Suffolk has terrific business potential with exciting areas of growth including energy, advanced manufacturing and technology,” he said. “Agriculture is also of huge importance.”

“The Institute of Directors is a professional organisation which provides quality business events and access to excellent training for directors as well as other opportunities.

“As local chairman I’ll be helping to give a voice for Suffolk nationally,” he added. “I became an IoD member just over a year ago and I really want to widen access to membership because I know there are a lot more business people like me who can benefit.”

Mr Morris grew up in North Lincolnshire and studied at Kings College, Cambridge where he graduated with MSci Physics and BA (Hons) Natural Sciences.

He qualified as a chartered accountant with PwC before moving to Ernst & Young, where his time included stints in Kuwait and Canada.