24/10/2025
We were proud to be a part of a delegation of Suffolk business and local government representatives who met with Paul Bristow, Mayor of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, at his Huntingdon offices recently, setting out areas for possible future joint working and opportunities in boosting the region's growth prospects.
Led by Steve Elsom, chair of Suffolk Chamber in West Suffolk and chief operating officer at Fiscale , the broad-ranging discussion included the future of the devolution of some powers from Whitehall and how the East of England can better coordinate efforts to attract investment, improve infrastructure, and deliver for local communities.
Steve Elsom said: "Boundaries are just dots on a map, the Suffolk Chamber Commerce has worked with our colleagues in Cambridgeshire for many years, the creation of a combined authority covering Norfolk and Suffolk from May next year means we can now deepen that partnership and ensure the East of England speaks with a clear voice."
Mayor Paul Bristow highlighted the East's strong economic contribution to the UK and the need to match the coordinated voice heard in other parts of the country.
Having benefitted from devolution since 2017, Mayor Paul Bristow emphasised his eagerness to ensure the wider East of England is able to benefit and can learn from the experience in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Mayor Paul Bristow said "The East of England is one of the few areas in the country that gives more to the Treasury than it gets back â and it's time we had a louder voice. Just look at what's being achieved in the North with strong Mayoral collaboration, Mayors have delivered investment, and results.
"Today's meeting laid the foundations for a new era of collaboration across the East. Businesses don't care about administrative boundaries so its important to ensure that when Norfolk and Suffolk elect their new Mayor, we'll be ready to seize the opportunities and tackle the challenges that don't stop at our border."
ðļ L-R Warren Smyth (Abbeycroft Leisure), Cllr. Chris Chambers (Suffolk County Council), Laraine Moody (Eastern Education Group), Amir Farboud (Unisurge), Paul Simon (Suffolk Chamber of Commerce), Mayor Paul Bristow, Steve Elsom (Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and Fiscale), Esther Cornell (Cambridge Rapid), Charlotte Horobin (Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce), Molly Williams (Suffolk Chamber of Commerce), Graeme Mateer (Suffolk County Council).