This is All About Suffolk Folk.
At the heart of Innovate Suffolk is a team of passionate individuals, each with a
unique background but united by one shared belief.
That innovation should serve real people, solve real problems,
and start right here in our own communities.
We come from different sectors from digital to public service, sustainability to education, entrepreneurship to tech
but every one of us has worked on the ground, delivering for people and building connections that matter.
We’re not here to lead from a distance.
Meet the Team
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Simon Arnold
Simon Arnold is a seasoned company director with a background in technology and innovation. He brings extensive experience in leading tech companies and is committed to driving forward-thinking initiatives that benefit the Suffolk community.
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David Atkins
David Atkins has founded multiple tech companies in Suffolk and possesses considerable experience in the challenges of running a business. He is passionate about encouraging innovation by providing opportunities for individuals to test new ideas and collaborate with others to bring those ideas to fruition.
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Sarah Cave
Sarah Cave is a sustainability consultant and the founder of 360 Sustainability. She specialises in integrating social value into organisational culture, emphasising actions over policies. With a passion for collaboration and practical problem-solving, Sarah is focused on creating systems that deliver long-term value for both people and the planet.
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Chrissie Geeson
Chrissie Geeson is a dedicated public servant with a strong background in local government. She has been instrumental in developing community programs and policies that promote social inclusion and economic development within Suffolk.
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Sam Parnell
Sam Parnell is a Digital Transformation and Change Management expert, championing digital education across East Anglia. As the founder of Measured Brilliance, she supports charities and businesses in leveraging digital tools for growth. Sam was also the chair of the Ipswich & Suffolk Tech Network, focusing on bridging the skills gap by aligning education with industry needs.
We’re here to work alongside, to amplify voices, and to ignite ideas that come from lived experience.
Together, we’ve built Innovate Suffolk to sit at the intersection of creativity, community, and progress. We believe this is the right moment — not just to talk about innovation, but to actively champion it, especially among young people, local doers, and those who’ve never seen themselves as “innovators” before.
We’re not doing this alone. Behind us is a growing movement — a wider community of collaborators, creators, and organisations from across Suffolk and beyond. Innovate Suffolk exists to connect that ecosystem, to direct innovation funding toward real-world impact, and to shape a future that reflects the talents, ideas, and needs of the people who live here.