SUFFOLK CHAMBER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Head of Member Engagement
Amanda Ankin has worked for Suffolk Chamber since 2010 and is our Operations Director.
As part of the senior management team, Amanda manages various departments of Suffolk Chamber including events, membership and customer care, communications, marketing, chain and international trade, and her team is based all across Suffolk.
CIPD qualified, Amanda is the lead on HR and change initiatives. Amanda also manages various Suffolk Chamber project teams including our business improvement district Lowestoft Vision and Suffolk Business Women.
Job Titles:
- Lowestoft Vision Operations & Finance Manager
- Operations & Finance Manager for Lowestoft Vision
Amie is the Operations & Finance Manager for Lowestoft Vision, Lowestoft's town centre BID. Amie works closely with businesses within the BID area to ensure the delivery of projects and services that the BID businesses have asked for. Amie returned to Suffolk Chamber of Commerce in Lowestoft and Waveney in August 2017 after previously delivering a sustainable travel project from 2012-2015.
Job Titles:
- Lowestoft Vision Business Engagement Manager
Angela Grey joined Lowestoft Vision, the town's Business Improvement District (BID) in May 2023, with the aim of representing local businesses and retailers in the town, and helping to enhance the town centre for locals and visitors alike.
Job Titles:
- Supply Chain & Projects Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Supply Chain Events Coordinator
Bethany has been with the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce since December 2022 and has a wealth of experience working within events; from corporate events to weddings she has always applied a comprehensive and detail-oriented approach to ensuring the successful running of events and is eager to use this experience as part of the Sizewell C Supply Chain team when bringing you the engagement events, webinars and business support programme that can help give your organisation the knowledge and support it needs to become part of this monumental project within Suffolk.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Suffolk Chamber Team
- Partner at Birketts LLP
- President, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
Catherine Johnson is a Partner at Birketts LLP where she specialises in employment law.
Catherine was previously Vice-President of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and also sits on the Ipswich Vision Board. These varied appointments provide Catherine with the opportunity to gather real insight into local issues and to feedback on members' views and opinions across each of these pivotal organisations in the town.
In June 2022, it was announced that Catherine was to become the new President of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, stepping up from her Vice-President role.
Job Titles:
- Export Documentation Officer
Job Titles:
- Member of the Suffolk Chamber Team
- CEO, Mid and North East Essex Mind
Job Titles:
- RAF Officer
- Supply Chain Business Manager
Job Titles:
- Supply Chain Marketing Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Suffolk Chamber Team
- Director of the Food Museum
Jenny is the Director of The Food Museum in Stowmarket, Suffolk's largest independent museum.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Suffolk Chamber Team
- Site Head and General Manager, EuroAPI
Jim joined Sanofi in 1998 and is an experienced professional, with a track record of success in Senior Operational roles, and Senior HR roles. Jim has 17-years experience within the Pharma Sector, in both manufacturing and commercial functions. Jim is currently Site Head and General Manager at EuroAPI.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Suffolk Chamber Team
- Director of External Communications and Corporate Affairs, Greene King
Jo Kreckler is the Director of External Communications and Corporate Affairs at pub company and brewer, Greene King. Jo specialises in corporate communications, public relations and government affairs and has also strong experience in internal communications, crisis communications, CSR and partnership management for charities. Prior to joining Greene King, Jo worked in London for Diageo, the world's largest producer of spirits and beers and in Liverpool for Paver Downes, a marketing and PR agency. Jo grew up in Bury St Edmunds and is a passionate supporter of the town and the county. Jo has served the Suffolk Chamber in West Suffolk since 2016 and is the Vice Chair of Suffolk Chamber's People & Skills Group.
Job Titles:
- Membership Support Apprentice
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Member of the Suffolk Chamber Team
- Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
John Dugmore is the Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and has been involved in business development and support throughout his career.
John Dugmore is the Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and has been actively involved in business support and business development throughout his career.
Before taking the reins at Suffolk Chamber he led the customer facing directorate of Liverpool Chamber during that city's acclaimed regeneration period.
John is a Fellow of the Institute of Marketing and Fellow of the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs.
Job Titles:
- Adviser
- Supply Chain Business Adviser
Julia is a trusted adviser and business professional, who having built her own successful business over the last 20 years, understands the need for agility and forward planning in order to meet market challenges and opportunities. Having worked across multiple client sectors and industries, Julia has a broad skills base encompassing all aspects of stakeholder engagement, business negotiation and facilitation, with a core focus on building trusted relationships and achieving successful, positive outcomes.
Job Titles:
- Export Documentation Officer
Job Titles:
- International Trade Manager
Koyas Miah has more than a decade's track record as a successful financial adviser, working for both Santander and for the last eight years as a Barclays business adviser based in the bank's main Ipswich office.
Here, he was responsible for managing a portfolio of business clients with an annual sales turnover of between £400k and £1m covering Suffolk's county town and the surrounding areas. He has a specialist knowledge of commercial lending, finance, business development and digital transformation.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Accountant
- Member of the Suffolk Chamber Team
- Treasurer, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
Matt trained as a Chartered Accountant at one the region's largest firms, qualifying in 2008. In 2013 he became finance director and then commercial director for a national precast concrete company, Matt helped expand both its product range and market share, helping it secure key contracts in a range of high-profiled infrastructure projects, including Hinckley Point C. Following the successful turnaround and sale of this business, Matt become Managing Director of SMART in early 2019.
Job Titles:
- Senior Events Coordinator
Michelle is the Senior Events Coordinator in the events team, delivering a variety of events, including the East Suffolk Business Awards and the Invest in Suffolk Ambassador Programme.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Policy Research Assistant
Muhammod Miah was the Kickstart Scheme Administration Assistant for Suffolk Chamber, and assisted Emma Alderton with all duties related to the Kickstart Scheme. Muhammod joined Suffolk Chamber in 2021, and being a Kickstart Candidate himself, he provided a unique insight to the role from the point of view of a candidate.
With the conclusion of the Kickstart Scheme, Muhammod Miah became the new Project Assistant for Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, and assisted the previous Projects and Policy Officer Andrew McMillan with the projects and initiatives being offered by the Chamber.
2 years after starting at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, Muhammod has now progressed into the position of Policy Research Assistant, and provides assistance to the Policy team through research and data analysis.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Suffolk Chamber Team
- Director of Sales & Marketing for Treatt PLC
- Vice - President, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
Nicholas is the Director of Sales & Marketing for Treatt PLC. Headquartered in Bury St Edmunds, Treatt is an ingredients manufacturer and solutions provider to the global flavour, fragrance and consumer goods markets. In addition to his role on the Chamber board, Nicholas is currently serving as chairman of the British Essential Oil Association. In June 2022, it was announced that Nicholas was to become the new Vice-President of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Member of the Suffolk Chamber Team
- Divisional Port Manager at Associated British Ports ( ABP )
Paul Ager is the divisional port manager for Associated British Ports (ABP).
Paul joined ABP in June 2016 having previously spent more than 14 years of leadership experience in Logistics, Supply Chain and the Construction sector, having held various regional operational leadership roles driving cross-functional teams to deliver high levels of customer service across the UK. Being born and bred in Suffolk Paul has a special relationship with the local area, Ipswich and Lowestoft in particular.
In June 2022, it was announced that Paul was joining the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Board, accompanying his role on the Greater Ipswich Board.
With his role at ABP Ipswich and being on both Chamber Boards, he is looking forward to contributing to the local businesses and organisations in the town.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Suffolk Chamber Team
- Immediate past President, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
- Partner at the Lowestoft
Paul Briddon became a Partner at the Lowestoft office of accounting firm Lovewell Blake in 1999 and was until recently the firm's Senior Partner, a position he held for 5 years. In addition to his management responsibilities that role provided Paul with regular contact with colleagues throughout the world either directly or at international conferences through the firm's network HLB International. Paul has previously served on the Board of Lowestoft and Waveney Chamber of Commerce including 3 years as Chairman before joining the Suffolk Chamber Board where he went on to hold the position of Treasurer. In June 2022, it was announced that Paul was stepping down from his role after serving as President of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce for two years.
Job Titles:
- Head of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications
Job Titles:
- Certification Manager
- Export Document Manager
- Head of Export Documentation
As Certification Manager Rosemary assists members and non-members who export their products overseas. Only Chambers of Commerce can stamp documents in an official capacity and these can be processed either by post, in person or online using our e-zCert System.
Job Titles:
- Supply Chain Business Adviser
Job Titles:
- Skills & Training Officer
Job Titles:
- Administation Assistant
- Member of the Team Who Welcomes Visitors to the Chamber
Sarah is an integral member of the team who welcomes visitors to the Chamber, she takes care of external room bookings and provides support to the Chief Executive's office and wider Chamber team when needed. Her 17 years of experience working for the Trust Secretary/Director of Community Engagement and Director of Finance of the Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has given her a keen eye for analysing data and she works diligently to support her team members.
Sharon is the Membership Administrator for Suffolk Chamber whose responsibilities include processing membership applications and customer care. Sharon joined the team early in 2009 and is based in the Suffolk Chamber in East Suffolk office.
Job Titles:
- Head of Business Development
Job Titles:
- Member of the Suffolk Chamber Team
- Managing Director, Wallis Shipping Services
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer of Tech East
- Tech East Chief Operating Officer
Tim is an alumnus of London Business School and was a trustee of Publishing Training Centre for 9 years. He was brought up and went to school in Suffolk, and returned to the county in 2008 to raise his family.
Job Titles:
- Senior Policy Officer at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
Toby researches and analyses policy that affects Suffolk's business community. To make sure that the voice of business is heard and understood, he is responsible for developing and influencing external relationships with decision-makers, members, partners and stakeholders across a wide range of sectors.
His background, working in local government and for the National Farmers Union, gives him the knowledge and experience needed to understand and communicate the implications of new and existing policies.