New IoD Norfolk Chair Aims to Drive Investment and Innovation in the Region

An associate director with a passion for helping small businesses has been announced as the new chairman of the Institute of Directors (IoD) in Norfolk.

The IoD is a professional membership organisation for business leaders, which aims to give company directors and entrepreneurs a voice as well as support and training.

Gary Parker, associate director at EY Breakthrough Incentives has been named as the new chairman of the IoD Norfolk branch – one of five branches that makes up the IoD East of England.

During his 30-year career, Gary has held senior roles within professional membership organisations, awarding bodies and International blue-chip firms including City & Guilds, the Chartered Management Institute, the Engineering Employers Federation, and Ernst & Young.

He said: “I have had the privilege of being involved in the delivery of a number of Government business support programmes including the £200m Business Growth Service/Growth Accelerator, and more recently the ERDF funded Investment Readiness Programme helping SMEs access vital private equity and venture capital investment to grow.

“My personal passion is helping small and medium-sized businesses fulfil their maximum potential through investment in innovation, greater sustainability and building a more circular economy.”

Drawing on the collective help and support available from IoD and its members in Norfolk, Gary’s aim in his tenure as chair is to help make the county a place where budding entrepreneurs and successful organisations alike want to come to do business.

Biplab Rakshi, IoD East of England chair commented, “Norfolk has a vibrant business community, with strong sectors in tourism, life sciences, farming and manufacturing as well and exciting opportunities in the wind energy sector. Gary is very well-placed to work with members across these sectors and I am delighted to welcome him to the Norfolk chair.”

For more information visit the IoD website