Why it matters: The Transport & Infrastructure Group is responsible for lobbying government on key issues affecting Suffolk businesses, including A14 improvements, rail upgrades, and better access to water supplies.
Paul Ager, ABP's divisional port manager for Ipswich, King's Lynn and Lowestoft, takes over from Stephen Britt as chair of one of Suffolk Chamber's most influential policy platforms.
The big picture: The group brings together business members interested in improving Suffolk's road, rail, telecoms and utilities infrastructure, with the aim of boosting the county's contribution to sustainable national economic growth.
Current campaigns include upgrades to the Ely and Haughley rail junctions, improvements at key pinch points along the A14 (including the Orwell Bridge and Copdock Interchange), faster 5G rollout, and improved water access for businesses.
What they're saying: 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!"
From the outgoing chair: 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."
Industry reaction: 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, added: "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."
The bottom line: Suffolk Chamber continues to run several other policy groups focusing on various aspects of business growth, including monetary and fiscal policy, net zero initiatives, skills development, and equality issues.
