Ipswich Borough Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Lee Walker as Chair of the Stoke Park Neighbourhood Board following a competitive recruitment process.
The appointment marks an important milestone in the delivery of the government’s £20 million Pride in Place programme and the development of a strong, locally led neighbourhood partnership.
The neighbourhood board will bring together residents, community organisations, businesses and partners to help shape local priorities and ensure that investment delivers lasting benefits for local people.
The Pride in Place programme is the government's neighbourhood regeneration initiative designed to give local communities a direct say over how long-term investment is spent in the places they know best.
Rather than decisions being made solely by the government or local authorities, the programme brings together residents, businesses, community organisations and public sector partners to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and oversee investment that reflects local priorities.
Through the programme, Stoke Park has secured up to £20 million of government investment over the next ten years. The funding will support projects chosen by the community to improve public spaces, strengthen local organisations, create opportunities for young people, support local businesses and restore pride in the neighbourhood. The Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board will be responsible for developing a shared ten-year vision for the area, agreeing local priorities and ensuring the investment delivers meaningful, lasting change for residents.
Lee Walker brings significant experience in regeneration, partnership working and place leadership to the role. Having grown up in the local area, he has a strong personal connection to the community he will now help lead. As chief executive of Ipswich Central, the town's business improvement district, Lee has led ambitious regeneration projects focused on making Ipswich a safer, cleaner and more vibrant place.
He has championed investment in the town centre, promoted culture and heritage as drivers of economic growth, supported independent businesses and recently secured overwhelming backing from businesses to continue Ipswich Central's work for a further five years, with 91% of those voting supporting the organisation's new business plan.
Throughout his career, he has secured significant investment, delivered nationally recognised place-making initiatives and built strong partnerships across business, local government and the voluntary sector.
Lee Walker, chair of the Stoke Park Neighbourhood Board, said:
“Stoke Park isn't just the place where I live – it is home. Having grown up here and built my career helping places secure investment and deliver regeneration, I understand both the opportunities and the importance of ensuring local people are at the centre of decision making. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build on the incredible community spirit that already exists in Stoke Park. I look forward to working with residents and partners to ensure this investment creates a lasting legacy that local people can be proud of for years to come.”
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said:
“I am delighted to welcome Lee as Chair of the Stoke Park Neighbourhood Board. He has demonstrated a genuine commitment to his community and a clear vision for how local people can be at the heart of shaping the future of their neighbourhood. The Pride in Place programme presents a significant opportunity to deliver lasting, community-led change, and I am confident he will provide strong leadership as the board begins its work.”
Councillor George Lankester, Portfolio Holder for Communities, said:
“The government's Pride in Place scheme is designed to put power into the hands of local residents. Neighbourhood boards will empower communities to identify priorities for change through this transformational £20m investment.
“Lee brings valuable experience and a passion for improving where he lives. I look forward to Ipswich Borough Council working with him, residents and local partners to ensure Pride in Place builds on the strengths that already exist within Stoke Park.”
Jack Abbott MP, Member of Parliament for Ipswich, said:
“I'm absolutely delighted that Lee has agreed to chair the Pride in Place Board for Stoke Park. Having grown up in the local area, he understands the community, knows its strengths and shares the ambition local people have for the area's future.
“Pride in Place represents a new way of doing regeneration. Rather than decisions being made in Westminster, this programme gives local people the power to shape the future of the places they know best. With £20 million of government investment coming to Stoke Park over the next decade, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve the neighbourhood, support local organisations, create opportunities for young people and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
“Lee has an outstanding track record of bringing people together, securing investment and delivering projects that make a real difference. His experience leading Ipswich Central - alongside his passion for Ipswich and his deep local roots - make him exceptionally well placed to lead this work. I look forward to working with him and the board to ensure local residents are at the heart of every decision.”
The appointment reinforces the council's commitment to ensuring residents play a leading role in shaping the future of their neighbourhood.
The chair will appoint the remaining members of the board so it can begin working with local stakeholders to identify priorities and support projects that strengthen communities and improve outcomes for residents.
ENDS
About Pride in Place
Pride in Place is a long-term UK government programme that gives local communities the power to shape the future of their neighbourhoods. Through resident-led neighbourhood boards, local people work alongside community organisations, businesses, councillors and other partners to identify priorities and direct investment towards projects that matter most to them.
Stoke Park and Whitehouse have been awarded up to £20m over 10 years through the government's Pride in Place programme, providing a significant opportunity to support community-led improvements, strengthen local pride and deliver lasting benefits for residents.
Pride in Place is funded by the UK government and delivered locally through Ipswich Borough Council and community-led neighbourhood boards.