Norfolk Business Board voices support for Norfolk and Suffolk Devolution Priority Programme

The Norfolk Business Board is made up of business leaders representing Norfolk's £20billion economy. The Board is urging Norfolk County Council to back the devolution deal, stating: "Devolution is not just about governance, it is about unlocking growth, raising productivity and ensuring that every community shares in the benefits of our success. By backing Devolution, Norfolk will gain the tools to deliver jobs, investment, and innovation that will power both our county and the nation's future".

Signed by chair of the Norfolk Business Board, Nick Steven-Jones, the letter argues that Devolution will give Norfolk the tools to tackle the challenges that constrain it, such as skills shortages, underinvestment in infrastructure, and lack of national acknowledgment, to accelerate growth.

The letter states:

"Local decision-making, supported by further funding, will enable targeted investment where it will have the greatest impact, faster delivery of infrastructure and housing.

"Greater local control of skills would allow us to shape training and qualifications to the meet the needs of our businesses, ensuring people are prepared for the jobs that are being created. We want to use high level skills investments to drive innovation and growth. 

"A directly elected Mayor will give our region the strong voice it needs in Westminster to ensure our priorities are heard and acted upon. Crucially, devolution allows tailored solutions for rural, coastal, and urban areas alike."

The Norfolk Business Board emphasises that Norfolk is ready to deliver.  More than 500 partners, including businesses, universities and communities, have collaborated to help shape the county's Economic Strategy. Business-led growth and innovation is embedded through the Norfolk Business Board, which continues to drive accountability and delivery.

The Board states that, through its close working relationship with the Suffolk Business Board, it has already identified clear areas of overlap and opportunity across the economies of the two counties, from clean energy to advanced manufacturing. Through collaboration, in recent years Norfolk and Suffolk have attracted over £1.3 billion in investment and supported the creation and safeguarding of more than 15,300 jobs.

Norfolk is a £20 billion economy at the heart of UK growth and has a world class life science super research cluster with potential to grow. The county leads in clean energy, agri-tech and agri-food, advanced manufacturing, financial services, creative industries, culture, heritage and tourism. It powers the nation through offshore wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture, contributes world-class research, and maintains a centuries-long tradition of enterprise and innovation.

The letter concludes: "With devolution, we can harness our strengths, overcome our challenges, and power the UK's future, together.

Published: 21 October 2025