Talks held on Ipswich Northern Bypass to solve A14 traffic disruption
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott met roads minister Lilian Greenwood (photo) last week to discuss traffic problems on the Orwell Bridge/A14 and surrounding roads and the potential solution offered by a Northern Bypass for the town. The meeting follows the recent sale of the Port of Felixstowe to MSC which has highlighted the need for more investment in the area’s infrastructure. Jack Abbott (right), who is also the government’s ‘mission champion for the East of England’, said: “Residents and businesses in Ipswich are, rightly, absolutely sick of the near daily traffic disruption on the Orwell Bridge and wider A14. While this can cause chaos on our local road network in Ipswich and the surrounding area, the stark reality is that thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of pounds related to the Port of Felixstowe are on the line, too.” He pointed to the need for short and medium-term measures such as upgrades to the Copdock interchange, electrification of the line to Felixstowe, the Ely/Haughley junction, and the Seven Hills A12/A14 junction. But he stressed that the only long-term solution to relieve pressure on the local road network is a Northern Bypass.
A recent Suffolk Chamber report “Broken Down: the economic impact of the A14 in Suffolk” argued that the county’s economy could suffer by companies scaling back growth plans – unless the highway and management is made more resilient. Its survey of 350 firms showed 87 per cent had been negatively impacted by A14 disruptions over the previous 12 months.
Colchester accountancy firm acquired by financial services group
Financial services firm Scrutton Bland has acquired Tile & Co, an established accountancy firm in Colchester. The deal will see Tile & Co’s 11-strong team integrate into Scrutton Bland’s Colchester office over coming months. Meanwhile, Tile & Co’s founders, Joff Tile and Julian Wyncoll, will continue to work with the team for a smooth transition. Joff Tile, co-founder of Tile & Co, said: “Joining Scrutton Bland marks an exciting new chapter for Tile & Co, our team, and our clients. We have always prided ourselves on providing a personal, high-quality service, and we know that Scrutton Bland shares those same values.”
Jason Fayers, managing partner at Scrutton Bland, said: “This acquisition is a fantastic step forward in our regional growth strategy, and we look forward to working together to support businesses and individuals in Colchester and beyond.” The deal is the latest in a series of strategic moves by Scrutton Bland, which is part of Sumer Group, as the firm explores further opportunities for expansion.
Bury-based software firm makes acquisition ‘to accelerate its growth trajectory’
Bury St Edmunds-based Kinexio, which provides software for commercial property management, has acquired MyTAG a leading provider of software solutions for property security and compliance. A private equity growth investor Synova secured an ARR financing package from HSBC Innovation Bank to support the acquisition by Kinexio – its portfolio company – in a deal supported by FRP Corporate Finance. Tom Cox, debt advisory partner at FRP Corporate Finance said: “The credit package ultimately agreed with HSBC Innovation Bank provides Kinexio with a highly efficient capital structure, enabling it to make a strategic acquisition that will help accelerate its growth trajectory.”
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Confidence in economy slides amongst region’s high net worth individuals
The East of England has seen the sharpest fall of any region in confidence amongst high net worth individuals in the UK economy; it fell from 90 per cent last August to just 29 per cent currently, according to a report from wealth management firm Saltus. Nationally, its wealth index report shows that fewer than half of high net worth individuals nationally have confidence in the UK economy, down from 84 pc last August and the lowest level of since the report started in 2021. Mike Stimpson, partner at Saltus, said: “The data paint a stark picture of declining confidence across all regions of the UK…..The sharp declines highlight how concerns about taxation, business growth and cost of living pressures are taking their toll on the UK’s wealth creators.”
Regenerative farming initiative launched in the East
A pilot project to boost regenerative farming is being launched in the East of England with backing from leading food businesses, including McDonald’s, Waitrose and McCain as well as Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest and Barclays. ‘Routes to Regen’, aims to show how regenerative farming can be made into a more attractive business proposition for UK farmers when supported by cross-sector collaboration. The project, by members of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, offers financial, technical, and peer-to-peer support to farmers, aiming to reduce financial risk for the farmer and increase adoption rates of regenerative practices.
Suffolk Chamber signs partnership agreement to boost trade with Egypt
Suffolk Chamber has signed a partnership agreement with the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce at an international trade conference in London. It aims to strengthen trade between Suffolk and Egypt, opening doors for Suffolk firms to connect with Egyptian exporters and explore new markets. It is part of a wider initiative under the Egypt-UK Trade Accelerator Program to match verified Egyptian exporters with UK buyers. A memorandum of understanding was signed by Koyas Miah (photo left), Suffolk Chamber’s international trade manager and Mark Lawrence (right), general manager of the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce. It was signed in the presence of Sherif Kamel, Egyptian ambassador to the UK as Suffolk Chamber joined more than 30 other UK and international chambers and over 400 businesses. Mark Lawrence, said: “By sharing opportunities across all sectors, hosting joint events, and facilitating trade missions in both directions, we are strengthening ties and creating new pathways for growth and success.”
Conference & events bureau champions inclusivity with toolkit for neurodiversity
Meet Cambridge, the official conference and events bureau for the city, has played a key role in the development of a first-of-its-kind Neurodiversity in Events Toolkit. Designed to support the estimated one in five people who identify as neurodivergent – including those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia – it provides guidance for making events more accessible and welcoming. Meet Cambridge’s marketing manager, Anita MacDonald, was a member of the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO), working group behind the toolkit. She said: “We believe events should be inclusive, but there is still a long way to go to make that a reality. At Meet Cambridge, we’re committed to starting important conversations and encouraging change. With 20 per cent of the population being neurodivergent (the actual number, including those who are undiagnosed, could even be higher), many potential attendees will face barriers to participation. By supporting event planners to make small changes, as an industry, we can create meetings and events where everyone feels valued and included.”
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