Freeport East adds three new officers to drive local business growth

Why it matters: The expansion will help deliver £1m of investment through the Freeport East Clean Growth Fund and Skills and Innovation Fund, supporting high-growth local businesses, universities, and colleges.

The details: Jonathan Rudd, Laura Mayne, and Sophia Padget have joined as Project Delivery Officers to work across Freeport East's programmes, including:

• Driving decarbonisation through initiatives like the Green Corridor Partnership with East Midlands Freeport

• Supporting development of offshore wind sector supply chains

• Unlocking sustainable growth at sites in Harwich, Felixstowe and Gateway 14

• Creating an innovation ecosystem with universities and local partners

What they're saying: "We're delighted to welcome Sophia, Laura and Jonathan to the Freeport East team - they all bring deep local knowledge of Essex and Suffolk together with expertise in a range of areas of economic development, inward investment and programme delivery," Steve Beel, Chief Executive of Freeport East, said.

The big picture: Freeport East, one of 12 Freeports in England, aims to create 13,500 new jobs and generate £5.5bn in Gross Value Added over 10 years. The organisation works with local authorities, international investors, businesses and universities to drive investment and productivity in the region.

The bottom line: The expanded team will strengthen Freeport East's ability to deliver economic growth and sustainable development across Suffolk and Essex.