Friday, 1 June 2018

Suffolk: a business success story

As published in the Suffolk Free Press, 31st May 2018.


I’m really looking forward to the second Suffolk Day on 21 June.
I think it is absolutely right that the county comes together to celebrate what makes this place so special. All credit to BBC Radio Suffolk’s Mark Murphy and others who launched the initiative last year. And beating Norfolk to the punch makes this an especially pleasing achievement.
I’m not Suffolk born and bred, coming here 31 years ago from Westcliff-on-Sea to set up a business with my father. But I feel such an affinity to this county. I love the big skies, colourful sunsets and the incredible range of good restaurants and real ale pubs.
For someone in the warehousing and logistics business for whom a fast and efficient road network is a must, I appreciate the sights to be seen away from our major highways. When driving anywhere around Debenham I certainly prefer to take the minor roads and when not working walking is one of my most enjoyable pastimes.
I know others who adore our spectacular coastline, or our wool towns or looking westwards our longstanding horseracing heritage.
All of these are key reasons why Suffolk is somewhere special for so many people.
But for all that, I do have one slight nagging doubt about Suffolk Day. In particular, the one-dimensional image it might inadvertently be projecting about our county – both to people who live here and elsewhere.
Let me explain.
As a businessman and an active member of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, I have come to see that the county has a bit of an identity problem.
The perception among many people outside of the county, including key decision-makers in Westminster and Whitehall – if they know of Suffolk at all – is one of a great place to holiday.
And that’s certainly true. But as businesses and others are actively campaigning for roads and rail lines that are fit for the twenty first century and for improved broadband and mobile coverage, it is vital that Suffolk’s present and future potential is given as much prominence as its past or its natural landscapes.
In other words, a Suffolk Day that ignores the county’s businesses, is probably doing us all a disservice.
On 21 June, we need to show that we are the place that feeds, fuels and transports the nation’s economy and its people.
We need to talk about our strong land-based economy, comprising not just raw material companies such as British Sugar and Muntons, but high quality consumer brands such as Aspalls, Copella and Stokes’ Sauces.
Of course, out of this sector, Suffolk is beginning to develop a world-leading reputation in agritech. The extraordinary success of Bury St. Edmunds –based flavour and fragrance company, Treatt is but one such example.
Suffolk is a key player in the energy sector and with the continuing growth in offshore renewables and the possible construction of Sizewell C, it will be this county that ensures the lights stay on for future generations.
In terms of transport, by which I mean the movement of people and goods and information, well, the world needs to better understand that we host both the Port of Felixstowe and BT’s research headquarters at Martlesham.
42% of all goods that come into the UK arrive via Felixstowe. There would be no Northern Powerhouse without the massive success story that is this Suffolk port.
Equally, it was at BT that broadband fibre was developed and the site has now expanded into Innovation Martlesham to become an extraordinary hub of technical know-how and entrepreneurialism, directly employing thousands.
Suffolk is a business success story and let’s all make sure Suffolk Day reflects that fact. Happy Suffolk Day to you all!




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