6 April 2010

A businessman with a wealth of experience spanning IT, education, health and local government has pledged to help make the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk project even bigger and better than ever following his appointment as the initiative’s chairman.

Dr Peter Funnell was yesterday (5 August) confirmed as chair following a meeting of the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk board. He brings with him vast experience of partnership working across a range of sectors, along with management and leadership skills.

Dr Funnell is currently chief executive of IDEA Ltd, which is a partnership between business, universities and colleges which works to develop skills within the IT sector and in organisations where the use of IT is business critical. He is also a director of Oakmere Solutions Ltd, president of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Eastern Angles Theatre Company and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Dr Funnell was previously director of enterprise and executive dean of the Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences at University Campus Suffolk. He has also held positions within local government and the NHS, and served as a non-executive director of Ipswich Primary Care Trust (which later became East Suffolk PCT) between 2002 and 2006.

Dr Funnell said: “I was delighted to be approached to take the chair of Healthy Ambitions Suffolk. The initiative aims to inspire everyone in Suffolk to play their part by making informed choices which impact on their personal health and the wellbeing of our community. The initiative is exciting and challenging, but considerable progress has already been made and I look forward to making my contribution in this leadership role.

“Our aim is to make Suffolk the healthiest county in the UK by 2028. We will achieve this through coordinated action involving individuals, families, local communities and the business, public and voluntary sectors. Together we will work to halt the rise in preventable illness such as diabetes and heart disease and contribute to measures to help everyone in Suffolk live longer and enjoy a happier and healthier life.”

Sally Hogg, one of the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk leads, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Peter as our new chairman to lead the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk initiative as it enters its next exciting stage.

“Peter has a huge raft of experience of working in partnership and across a variety of different sectors, which will prove a tremendous asset as we drive the project onwards to further success.

“We look forward to working closely with him as we continue to help people make the small changes which have the greatest impact on health, wellbeing and quality of life.” 

Dr Funnell succeeds Jim Hehir OBE, who was chairman of Healthy Ambitions Suffolk since its launch in November 2008 until his sad death last year.

Note to editors: A low resolution photograph of Dr Funnell is attached. Please contact Liz Hearnshaw if you would like a copy of the photograph in a higher resolution.

For further information about this press release, or to arrange interviews, contact 01473 770014.

The Healthy Ambitions Suffolk strategy aims to make Suffolk the healthiest county in the UK by 2028 by cutting the number of preventable deaths and helping people to live a healthier lifestyle. If currently focuses on three main areas – children and young people, businesses and older people.

A wide range of partner organisations are working together on the initiative, which is driven by Suffolk Strategic Partnership. More information is available at www.healthyambitionssuffolk.nhs.uk