John Dugmore

John Dugmore is the Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, and has been involved in business development and support throughout his career.

The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce is a business voice, lobbying and advocacy organisation, established in 1884. The Chamber provides unwavering support to its members and wider business community serving as an organisation to give a strong backbone for the success of businesses in Suffolk, and ensuring the county’s business community has a voice

The core competencies of Connect, Support, Inform, and Inspire reflect the Chamber’s commitment in advocating for Suffolk business. Through lobbying, strong relationships with policymakers, networking events, professional development, business resources, and access to exclusive services, the Chamber empowers businesses to grow and thrive.

In his time he has led a team that has transformed the organisation by encouraging and implementing a sustained growth programme that supports Suffolk's businesses, that has led to Suffolk Chamber expanding in terms of membership numbers, staff headcount and relevance through a range of important business campaigns and initiatives.  Suffolk Chamber now stands as the largest non-metropolitan Chamber of commerce in the British Chambers network.

The Chamber has developed an excellent reputation as an effective advocate for Suffolk’s business community both within the county and at an international level, leading a number of high-profiled and successful campaigns, from the nationally successful No Toll Tax on the A14 lobby through to its work on Brexit and Covid support. Suffolk Chamber continues to lobby hard and successfully for the business community across the county and in Westminster and plays a lead role in issues affecting economic and business growth, from infrastructure to skills, red tape to climate adaptation.

Before taking the reins at Suffolk Chamber, John led the customer-facing divisions of Liverpool Chamber during that city’s acclaimed regeneration years. Alongside his role as a Visiting Fellow of the University of Suffolk, he is a fellow of the Institute of Marketing, a fellow of the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs, an ambassador at Suffolk New College, Hon Commander at US Air Force Lakenheath and a Director of the British Chambers of Commerce.