Celia Hodson
Celia Hodson joined Choose Suffolk as Chief Executive in mid-October 2008. She came to the agency from the Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC), which represents a wide range of social enterprises, regional and national support networks and other related organisations.
As Deputy Chief Executive of SEC she held responsibility for the delivery of large-scale projects, including Gordon Brown's Social Enterprise Ambassadors, Strategic Partnerships Programme and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Social Enterprise. The role involved working with various external partners, including the Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet and Shadow-Cabinet Offices, Regional Development Agency CEOs, the Office of the Third Sector and HM Treasury, giving her a clear understanding of both the public and private sectors.
The Social Enterprise business model remains highly important to Celia, after spending many years lobbying central government to secure its recognition and make it a cross-party issue. Along the way, Celia has accumulated vast experience and formed many key relationships within the business community. She is on the national panel of Enterprise Britain and enjoys fellowship of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
Celia is passionate about Suffolk, having lived with her family in Ipswich for over ten years, and relishes the challenge of Choose Suffolk's role to create the conditions for sustainable business in the county.