The leading figures involved in shaping the future of Suffolk and its economy were celebrated today at the launch of the new edition of the Suffolk 100.

East Anglian Daily Times: The launch of the Suffolk 100 at The Hangar at Kesgrave Hall. Picture: David GarradThe launch of the Suffolk 100 at The Hangar at Kesgrave Hall. Picture: David Garrad (Image: Archant)

Media group Archant, whose titles include the East Anglian Daily Times, published the first Suffolk 100 listing seven years ago to recognise the county’s leading personalities in the private, public and third sectors, and the latest version is the fourth in all.

It was launched at an event jointly hosted by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and Archant at The Hangar at Kesgrave Hall, near Ipswich, and attended by more than 100 people including around 70 of those included in the new list.

Guests were welcomed by John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber, and Brad Jones, editor of the EADT, who both spoke of the importance of those who help to make the county such a vibrant place in which to live, work and relax.

Mr Jones, who took over as editor of the EADT last month, thanked Suffolk Chamber, Kesgrave Hall and Suffolk 100 sponsors Barclays, Larking Gowen, and Norse as well as the members of the panel who helped to compile the new list – a task which, he said, had involved some “fairly robust” discussions.

East Anglian Daily Times: Speakers and sponsors at the launch of the Suffolk 100. Picture: David GarradSpeakers and sponsors at the launch of the Suffolk 100. Picture: David Garrad (Image: Archant)

He added that the list recognised that business played a broader role than the purely financial, with many of the individuals included in the list being recognised also for corporate social responsibility initiatives, and the important contributions of the public and third sectors were also recognised.

Keynote speaker at the event was Robert Hughes, managing director of Lowestoft-based electricals retailer Hughes, who explained the approach to business which has enabled the family-owned firm to thrive during an era which as seen the demise of many rivals.

Mr Hughes said traditional retailers in the sector had seen their market share eroded first by edge-of-town superstores and then by the internet together with the emergence of smart devices able to be used as a television and a camera as well as a phone.

Hughes recognised continuing role for rental, with the new generation being more interested in “experience” than ownership, together with the need to create its own online offer and for stores to offer parking and to act as showrooms, he added.

East Anglian Daily Times: Representatives from Suffolk 100 sponsors. Larking Gowen and Barclays. Picture: David GarradRepresentatives from Suffolk 100 sponsors. Larking Gowen and Barclays. Picture: David Garrad (Image: Archant)