Chamber Member Appointed High Sheriff of Suffolk

Celebrate Suffolk with a spectacular one night only concert at St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Suffolk Chamber of Commerce is pleased to continue its support for the Office of the High Sheriff of Suffolk, and members are therefore being offered a 20% discount for the Suffolk Celebration concert. Please use the code "less20" when booking a seat in the nave. Full details are on the attached poster or at https://visit-burystedmunds.co.uk/events/suffolk-celebration

Join fellow members on Suffolk Day, Sunday 21 June at 7pm, for the Suffolk Celebration, a joyful evening of music, song, dance and spoken word in support of the Suffolk Community Foundation.

Hosted by Helen Atkinson Wood and curated by Nick Hutchison, the performance features an outstanding Suffolk inspired line up, including Rick Wakeman, Britten Pears Arts, St Edmundsbury Choir, DanceEast, Libby Purves, Lucy Hughes Hallett, Martin Bell and Charlie Haylock, alongside exciting young performers and new work created especially for the evening. 

From classical music to contemporary performance, this uplifting event promises something for everyone, while raising funds for grassroots projects that support young people and strengthen communities across Suffolk. Your Chamber is proud to support Suffolk Day 2026.

Oliver Paul DL has been appointed High Sheriff of Suffolk for coming year, bringing a strong commercial background and long standing commitment to Suffolk’s business community to the county’s oldest public office.

An entrepreneur and farmer based on the Shotley Peninsula, Oliver is best known as one of the directors of the Suffolk Food Hall, an award winning business championing local producers, collaboration and independent enterprise. His earlier career as a business consultant with Capgemini helped shape a pragmatic approach to leadership, change and partnership.  Oliver has a long association with the Chamber and has previously served on the Suffolk Business Board, working closely with businesses across the county. He is a firm believer in the power of enterprise as a force for good, recognising the role that businesses play in employment, skills, social cohesion and place making.

The Office of High Sheriff is an independent, non political Royal appointment first recorded in 669AD but focused today on supporting the judiciary, emergency services, crime prevention, victim support and the voluntary sector. In its modern form, the role also acts as a convenor and connector, spotlighting the individuals and organisations quietly making a difference across Suffolk.  Oliver’s theme for his year is food as a force for positive change, highlighting how food connects health, skills, employment, rehabilitation and community cohesion, and bringing people together to effect practical change.

As part of Suffolk Day, on Sunday 21 June, Oliver will host a Suffolk Celebration, a special evening concert at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, at 7 pm. Supported by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, the concert will be a jubilant finale to the day, featuring a rich Suffolk line up from well known names to emerging talent, united by one theme: about Suffolk, by Suffolk, for Suffolk.

The programme will include music, song, dance and literary contributions from across the county, from Britten Pears Arts and community youth groups to Rick Wakeman and Charlie Haylock, with original work premiered especially for Suffolk Day. All funds raised will support the High Sheriff’s Fund at Suffolk Community Foundation, helping to support crime prevention and victims across Suffolk.

Tickets and performance details can be found at: https://www.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk/whats-on/details.cfm?id=1120147 

Further Suffolk Day events are taking place throughout Bury St Edmunds. Full details are available at: https://visit-burystedmunds.co.uk/suffolk-day 

Donations to support the long term endowment of the High Sheriff’s Fund can be made at: https://suffolkcf.enthuse.com/highsheriff2026#!/ 



Written by Suffolk Food Hall