SIX business leaders have been chosen to spearhead economic development in Suffolk and Norfolk as board members of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.

They have been selected from among more than 50 applicants for the role of setting a strategic direction for the economy of the two counties when the East of England Development Agency is abolished.

“We are delighted to appoint six business leaders who will lead New Anglia,” said Peter Barry, joint chairman of the New Anglia LEP Development Group, who did not seek a place on the board. Between them, they bring Norfolk and Suffolk a wealth of business acumen, success and a dynamic approach to getting the job done.”

Among those selected for the New Anglia board are the chief executives of two major Suffolk-based businesses, David Gledhill of Hutchison Ports, which includes the Port of Felixstowe, and Andy Wood of Adnams, who was joint chairman of the development group with Mr Barry.

“This is a great opportunity for Norfolk and Suffolk to work together, prosper and ensure New Anglia competes on an international level,” said Mr Wood.

“We know that working together, across business and the public sector, we can ensure economic development is at the heart of what we do and is at the heart of the future for New Anglia.

“I am delighted to be working with such talented and experienced colleagues and look forward to being part of driving our economy forward.”

Mr Gledhill added: “These are exciting times for New Anglia. I aim to bring to the board strong strategic leadership. Hutchison Ports contributes over �2billion to the East of England and I have a strong commitment to help strengthen New Anglia’s economy and see it flourish.”

Also on the board from Suffolk will be Erika Clegg, founder of national design, advertising and marketing agency Spring which, like Adnams, is based in Southwold.

Completing the line-up are Mark Goodall, the Great Yarmouth-based area manager of international engineering and technology company Aker Solutions, who is a former chairman of the East of England Energy Group; David Marsh, who has founded a range of successful start-ups and small and medium sized enterprises, including Wymondham-based Leisure Target Tourism Services and Bateman Groundworks, based in Great Yarmouth, and Mark Jeffries, senior partner at national law firm Mills & Reeve, which has offices in Norwich and Cambridge, and a member of the regional council of the CBI.

The New Anglia board will also include a number of local authority representatives, who will be nominated following the results of yesterday’s local elections.

The full board is due to meet for the first time on Monday, May 16, when a chairman will be elected. The Government’s rules require this role to be held by a representative of the private sector, with Andy Wood of Adnams thought to be favourite for the role.