Industry councils and boards

Norfolk and Suffolk Innovation Board

The Norfolk and Suffolk Innovation Board brings together senior leaders in innovation from across the region. This includes innovation hubs, universities, Innovate UK, and the Connected Innovation team.

The Innovation Board's work was recognised by Innovate UK in the Local Action Plan for Norfolk and Suffolk. The plan demonstrates Innovate UK's commitment to working with the region to enhance funding and support for innovative companies.

The Board oversees:

• The Connected Innovation programme - the UK's largest regional innovation network. The network includes 27 innovation hubs, business incubators, universities, research institutes, and Freeport East. It connects with business innovation networks to simplify the innovation support network. It also delivers cross-sector events and technology showcases to help businesses innovate and adopt digital technologies.
• The Innovation Grant Mentoring Project, which provides free grant mentoring and bid writing support. The project aims to enhance the quality and volume of innovation bids across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Agri-Food Industry Council for Norfolk and Suffolk

The Agri-Food Industry Council for Norfolk and Suffolk includes representatives from across the entire agri-food chain:

• World-class research assets - like Norwich Research Park, Adastral Park, and The Food Enterprise Park
• Landowners, estates, and family farming businesses
• Livestock, commodity processing, and agri-tech industries
• Small food and drink businesses
• Skills development and education sector
• Environmental support organisations
• Aquaculture and fisheries

The Industry Council's priorities include:

• Advocating to key Government departments and agencies
• Developing skills in the region
• Environmental land management
• Regional innovation support
• Supply chain development
• Infrastructure
• Driving investment in the region and international trade

In 2021, the Industry Council published Agri-Food in Eastern England: An Investment Opportunity. This was developed in partnership with Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority. It outlines a plan of action to unlock the full potential of the region's agri-food sector. This includes focusing on:

• Food enterprise zones
• Global research and innovation
• Diet and health
• Supporting the transition to net zero
• The digital future for the agri-food sector

This partnership was also behind the successful bid to Innovate UK for the £7.5 million Agri-Tech and Food Tech Launchpad.

Council for Digital Tech

The Council for Digital Tech provides strategic leadership for Norfolk and Suffolk's digital sector. It has representatives from:

• The private sector
• Technology business incubators
• Universities and further education colleges
• Organisations like SyncNorwich and Tech East

The Council has a strategic focus on skills, inward investment, and innovation hubs. There have been regular conversations around key tech sub-sectors for Norfolk and Suffolk including:

• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Financial technologies (FinTech)
• Agricultural technologies (Agri-tech)
• Gaming
• Space technologies

It receives regular updates from the Connected Innovation programme, the Agri-Tech and Food Tech Launchpad, and Space East. This includes updates on 'The Future' programme, which provide early-stage tech founders with support to develop their business.

New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (NAAME) Industry Council

New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (NAAME) is a network of seven manufacturing groups. These groups are free to attend and cover all of Norfolk and Suffolk. They provide a trusted forum for manufacturing and engineering businesses to:

• Connect with each other
• Exchange knowledge
• Explore new business ventures
• Access expertise to help with new product developent or innovation
• Discuss and resolve industry challenges

The NAAME Industry Council provide strategic leadership, oversight, and decision-making for this network.