Meet the IoD East of England Chair
Appointed as the IoD East of England Chair in August 2020, corporate energy executive Biplab Rakshi has former roles at Mobil Oil and TXU Europe and was instrumental in the founding of the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Biplab is the CEO of Suffolk-based Atomic Acquisitions, focusing on low carbon energy initiatives, and formerly served as the IoD Infrastructure Ambassador for the Essex region.
Born in India, and educated in the UK and USA, Biplab has worked and travelled and extensively around the world before settling in Essex, where he now lives with his family.
We talk to Biplab about the leaders he represents and the region’s plans for the next year
Why are you proud to represent the IoD?
The IoD is a unique member organisation made up of individuals working together. The camaraderie and the network that this brings has the power to influence, connect and deliver real change. As Chair I want to build on this collaborative network and make the IoD in the East of England an organisation that not only benefits it members but also the community at large.
What’s the IoD’s role in your region?
It is my firm belief that the IoD can support and create significant value not only for its members but in collaboration with other organisations can benefit the whole region. Our role is to ensure our region’s business leaders are at the heart of opportunity and positive change.
Tell me about your members
We have more than 2500 members in the East, coming from large corporates to SMEs. Collectively the breadth of membership covers all aspects of UK business, all sectors, and all sizes. This is what differentiates us from our competitors.
Which sectors would you like to attract?
Infrastructure, biotech, and healthcare are some of the growth sectors of the region, along with academia and leisure. It is my belief that the aspiration of these and other sectors are complementary to the values of the IoD. Working in collaboration we can create a powerful voice that can deliver jobs and economic growth.
Tell me a little about your region
The East of England is a vibrant and diverse business community. At one corner we have rural Suffolk and Norfolk with significant leisure and hospitality sectors, at the other we have Felixstowe, Harwich and Tilbury, some of the biggest ports in the country through which flows much of UK commerce. In the North we have a global hub for biotech, and as we move west, we form part of the London commuter belt. Together we attract significant entrepreneurs and start-ups to the region.
What does your region offer business leaders?
The East has an exceptional pool of highly skilled workers, supporting some of the most innovative and creative sectors of the UK economy. The IoD is mindful of this and our members are here to complement and collaborate. We are in conversations with several organisations to develop this further and shine a light on the East as the place to do business.
What are you most looking forward to, as IoD regional chair, in the next 12 months?
I am looking forward to connecting with leading companies and organisations in the region, to understand their concerns and identify how my team can help. It is important that as the IoD we engage and champion causes that affect us all from climate change to social responsibility.
What’s your personal business ethos?
Collaboration, openness, and a determination to deliver is what motivates me. Equally important is the ability to energise and empower the people around me. I wish to bring this passion to the Chair, as we transform into an outward looking, collaborative organisation that engages effectively with its members and the greater business community.
And finally, which business leader do you most admire?
Warren Buffet , one of the most influential business leaders of our generation is also one of the humblest. We need think beyond the horizon and believe “you can do anything you set your mind to.”