A former business leader from Suffolk has been sworn in as the county’s new High Sheriff.

Mark Pendlington, who lives in Acton, near Sudbury took his declaration of office at a ceremony at Ipswich Crown Court in front of local dignitaries, including the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston.

Sudbury Mercury: Mark Pendlington has been sworn in as the High Sheriff of Suffolk. Mark Pendlington has been sworn in as the High Sheriff of Suffolk. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

During the ceremony on Thursday (March 30) Ipswich Crown Court’s resident judge, Martyn Levett, paid tribute to the outgoing High Sheriff, Jamie Lowther Pinkerton.

Mr Pendlington was Chair of the ‘Festival of Suffolk 2022’, a county-wide community-based celebration for the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee and he also chairs the Suffolk Lieutenancy Business and Enterprise Group.

He retired early from a senior career in national and international business and has extensive experience of working across the public and private sectors in industry, national and regional voluntary organisations, further and higher education, economic development bodies, local enterprise partnerships, and academia.

Sudbury Mercury: Judge Martyn Levett and the new High Sheriff of Suffolk Mark Pendlington during the ceremony at Ipswich Crown Court.Judge Martyn Levett and the new High Sheriff of Suffolk Mark Pendlington during the ceremony at Ipswich Crown Court. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

 Those attending the ceremony heard that the new High Sheriff has worked for many years with a wide range of individuals, organisations and businesses across Suffolk and nationally including projects and campaigns for Business in the Community founded by the (then) Prince of Wales to bring business investment and resources into disadvantaged urban areas across the UK.

He has also been involved with The Prince’s Countryside Fund which champions the health and wellbeing of rural communities.

Sudbury Mercury: A swearing in ceremony took place at Ipswich Crown Court. Pictures: Charlotte BondA swearing in ceremony took place at Ipswich Crown Court. Pictures: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

 Mr Pendlington was the volunteer Chair of the New Anglia Enterprise Partnership which attracted more than £500m investment into the region and helped to create 36,000 new jobs over a five year period.

 He is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk and his current roles include Chair and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Suffolk; Patron of the Green Light Trust; Chair of Governors at The Royal Hospital School; Trustee, of St Edmundsbury Cathedral Trust aand Non-Executive Chair of CEFAS (the International Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science)