Suffolk Chamber selects leading businessperson to drive forward infrastructure lobbying

A senior business leader in the crucial regional ports and logistics sector has become the chair of one of Suffolk Chamber’s most influential campaigning and policy platforms – The Transport & Infrastructure Group. 

Paul Ager, ABP’s divisional port manager responsible for the Ports of Ipswich, King’s Lynn and Lowestoft and with a professional background spanning decades in senior management roles, takes over from Stephen Britt.

Suffolk Chamber’s Transport & Infrastructure Group brings together members with an interest in improving the county’s road, rail, telecoms and utilities infrastructure, so allowing Suffolk to maximise its contribution to sustainable national economic growth and prosperity. 

The Group is responsible for leading or contributing to a number of key current campaigns, including upgrades to the Ely and Haughley rail junctions, improvements at key pinch points along the route of the A14, including the Orwell Bridge and the Copdock Interchange, the Suffolk Business Digital Champions Group aimed at speeding up the rollout of 5G infrastructure and the Suffolk Business Water Group which is campaigning for improved access to water supplies for non-domestic customers.

Paul Ager said: “Suffolk Chamber has a proud and successful heritage in both evidencing how better infrastructure could boost economic activity here in Suffolk and beyond and in partnering with others to lobbying Government and others to make the right investments.

“I’d like to thank my predecessor, Stephen Britt, for his leadership across two stints as chair of the Transport & Infrastructure Group. He will be a hard act to follow, but I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead!”

Stephen Britt added: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my stints as chair of this vital lobbying group and am very proud of what we’ve achieved, not least through the No More Toll Tax in Suffolk campaign in seeing off a Government proposal that would have penalised business and private users of the A14 in the county.” Paul Ager’s appointment has been welcomed by a range of senior sector leaders.

Daniel Everitt, managing director of MSC, said: “The Suffolk Chamber Transport and Infrastructure Group is an excellent forum for the business community to coalesce around key infrastructure issues in the County. We are delighted Paul Ager of ABP is taking this leadership role. With MSC support at the Chamber sessions, we look forward to working with Paul and the Chamber to drive forward change in Government policy and thinking around key issues such as the A14 and east west rail.”

Mike Bowden, head of strategic development at Cory Brothers, remarked: “I’m personally delighted to welcome Paul Ager of ABP as the Suffolk Chamber Transport & Infrastructure Chair. This Chamber forum offers the business community a space to convene collectively, work together, share intelligence, so we can lobby Whitehall and motivate change based on informed decisions that benefit investment to tackle infrastructure issues that impact positively economic growth.”

In addition to the Transport & Infrastructure Group, Suffolk Chamber runs a wide range number of similar policy groups, including those focussing on monetary and fiscal, policy, net zero and climate adaptation, people and skills and equality, diversity & inclusion.

A picture of Paul Ager is attached. Please credit: Stephen Waller/ABP