Summer Business Leaders Lunch 2026, Ipswich

Join local pros for a laid-back lunch and networking at the Summer Business Leaders Lunch 2026 in Ipswich!

The Suffolk Business Leaders Lunch is a gathering of likeminded business leaders, entrepreneurs, and directors from across Suffolk, who are passionate about business, connectivity, and community. The aim of the lunches is to offer a place where knowledge, insights and networking provide a catalyst for action, and a safe ‘Chatham House Rules’ style of engagement exists.

They strive to share the voice of a local cause or charity and offer an after-lunch speaker to present their insights on thought leadership.

Our Guest speaker - Erika Clegg

Erika helps organisations and people harness their principles to strengthen impact, performance and trust over time. Her work is grounded in the belief that values, when properly understood and applied, are not statements but assets. Trusted by very senior leaders across the world, she works across sectors including logistics, manufacturing, gaming, charity, government, law and engineering, offering consultancy, leadership programmes, masterclasses and senior-level coaching.

Her book Junk Values – currently shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2026 – challenges the widespread use of hollow, performative values and sets out a more rigorous, commercially effective approach.

Previously, she spent 25 years in brand communications, working with global agencies before founding her own. She later transitioned ownership via an MBO to the senior leadership team, following a sustained period of values-led transformation and growth.

Charity

A percentage of our ticket sales will go towards Help2Ukraine (Suffolk) Ambulances for Ukraine 2026

Driving Ambulances and Medical Equipment to Ukraine

Aware of the terrible plight of the people of Ukraine and with the keenest of desires to help them, Help2Ukraine was set up in 2024 by a group based in Suffolk to acquire ex NHS ambulances and to drive them out to Ukraine.This has been a great success. In 2024 and 2025 we raised enough money to buy 4 ambulances each year and to drive them out to Ukraine.In 2026 we have had the great fortune this year of being given not less than 4 ambulances, but we still need get them and their crews out to Ukraine. We need to insure them both against accident and breakdown, MOT them, fuel them, fit them out with tools, break down equipment, get them across the Chanel and to provide rooms for the crews on the way out and to bring them back.

Menu:

To Start Salt baked beetroot Carpaccio Golden beetroot, goats curd, pickled raspberries (e,m,g,su,mu) OR Caprese Salad with heritage tomatoes,bocconcini, basil puree, pine nuts(m,n,su)

To Follow Ballotine of Chicken Esteve of leeks, fondant potato,truffle sauce (ce,m,su) OR Roasted Aubergine Pomegranate molasses roast aubergine, baba ganoush, halloumi, pomegranate, chickpea & mint dressing (se,m)

To Finish Strawberry Tart Crème pâtissière, strawberries, elderflower sorbet (g,m,e,su)

* PLEASE NOTE - tickets will be limited to 2 people max from a single organisation. The food choice is a set 3 course menu

Our cancellation policy is 10 days.

This event is being organised by the founders of the Business Leader Groups, and Larking Gowen are just facilitating the ticket sales.