Release: Immediate
Date: 18th March 2004

                           Second successful event for Suffolk Investors Forum

Almost 100 Suffolk business people gathered to hear how they could capitalise on investment opportunities available in the region at the second Suffolk Investors Forum (SIF) event.

Held at CableNet Training in Bury St Edmunds, the event was designed to bring together local companies, business professionals and investors to get investment working in Suffolk.

The Forum draws together the resources of the Suffolk Development Agency (SDA), East of England Development Agency (EEDA), Institute of Directors (IoD), Business Link for Suffolk, Suffolk’s Chamber of Commerce and more than 20 accountants, solicitors, banks and financial advisors.

Working in partnership with Beer & Partners, the UK’s largest private equity group, SIF aims to promote investment opportunities within Suffolk companies. This will be achieved by developing a business network which enables local companies to meet with Business Angels and attend events and educational sessions.

Graham Shorter, member of the SIF launch group and partner at Grant Thornton said: “The feedback we received from local companies at the second SIF event was extremely positive. It proved there is a huge amount of interest in SIF throughout the county and a huge potential for successful business.

The event was co-hosted by Grant Thornton and Ashton Graham and sponsored by Business Link for Suffolk.

Keith Ferguson, partner at accountants and business advisors PKF East Anglia added: “SIF aims to create a culture of investment by making the most of the professional resources we have in the county. This is a exciting time for Suffolk and the growing support for SIF is very encouraging.”

At the event Colin Fish of Baker Tilly spoke about tax incentives for investment in growing companies and Andrew Fox of Wessex Economics gave a review of the current economic climate. Delegates also heard from a number of companies hoping to benefit from the investment process.

SIF is run with the support of a number of local companies including PKF, Ashton Graham, Baker Tilly, Bank of Scotland, Barclays Bank, Beer & Partners, Birketts, Business Link for Suffolk, East of England Development Agency, Ensors, Gotelee & Goldsmith, Grant Thornton, HSBC, Institute of Directors, KPMG, Lloyds TSB Corporate, NatWest, Prettys, Scrutton Bland, Suffolk Development Agency and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.

The next SIF event will be held in Lowestoft with date and time to be confirmed. If you would like to attend or for further information please contact Peter Martin of Suffolk Investors Forum on 01473 213747.

- Ends -

For further information:

Please call Rachel Smith, Mosaic Publicity on 01206 548100.