Board

Steve heads up SME Banking for East England with a team of 150 front line and support staff across the six counties. He has over 30 years experience with the bank and has led teams across Retail, Corporate and Commercial divisions of the bank.

He works closely with the business agencies, media and politicians across the region in supporting the SME agenda and is personally involved in several regional ventures including business mentoring, supporting the curriculum for entrepreneurs of the future.

Born and bred in Mildenhall, I joined Whiting and Partners Chartered Accountants  in 1986 and have now completed 30 years' service. I am responsible for the management of the Mildenhall Office and was promoted on 1st April 2016 to an Associate of the Firm. I have a wealth of experience in dealing with sole trader, partnership and corporate businesses, encompassing personal tax and tax planning services.

I became a Committee member of the Chamber of Commerce in June 2013.

I have 5 children and I am a Trustee Director of a local Academy School.

Graham's current role is Managing Director of Factotum Ltd - a Call Centre Services Company based in Newmarket & Leicester.

Originally from Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire Graham spent his early career in the RAF where he trained as an engineer.

On leaving the RAF Graham spent the next 15 years working and consulting within the IT sector for various companies including Digital Equipment, IBM and Cable & Wireless before launching Factotum Ltd in 2003.

Graham is also the President of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, he represents business in the county both on a local and national level.

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, policy, supply 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, and sits on all our town Boards.

Tim has bought, sold and developed SME’s in different sectors for almost 20 years, he has been involved in mentoring during that time including voluntary positions in schools and colleges. Whilst believing it’s essential to have fun on the way he has a no-nonsense and pragmatic approach based on his experience of ‘working on the shop floor’. Tim is a Business Mentor, Coach and Advisor based in Newmarket and is passionate about helping businesses in the region to thrive.  

After a career in the City, Matthew has acted as consultant to a wide range of industries, start-ups and Community Interest Companies.  He also undertakes specialist journalism and other writing.