Deborah Cadman is the new chief executive of the East of England Development Agency.

Her main priorities will be working with partners to harness the region’s potential, and ensuring that EEDA is best-placed to help businesses large and small to be better equipped to compete in global markets, and to be more resource efficient.

Ms Cadman, who received an OBE for her services to local government in 2006, joins EEDA from St Edmundsbury Borough Council in Suffolk, where she was chief executive. Previously she held senior regeneration roles in local government and worked for the Audit Commission. She takes over from David Marlow, who leaves EEDA after five years to pursue a career in public policy and economic development consultancy.

Ms Cadman said: “I am very excited to be joining EEDA and having the opportunity to play a part in the development of this region’s huge potential. EEDA has already achieved a great deal and I’m looking forward to working closely with our partners and businesses to move the region forward.

“In recent weeks I’ve been visiting businesses across the region and have been hugely impressed by their innovation, product development and future plans. Our role at EEDA is to help foster that talent, through our business support and innovation programmes.

“I am also looking forward to working with partners and colleagues in championing the region at national and international level. The East of England is a diverse region with different qualities and challenges - but that’s what makes it a great place to live, work and visit. ”

Richard Ellis, chair of EEDA said: “I am very pleased to welcome Deborah to EEDA as our new chief executive. She brings an enormous amount of experience of private-public sector partnership experience, including running two of the biggest regeneration projects in Europe. This, and her background in local and central government, make her the ideal person to take EEDA forward with a clear focus on driving sustainable economic growth.”

Barbara Follett, Regional Minister for the East of England said: “I am very pleased indeed that Deborah Cadman has joined EEDA as its chief executive at this critical point in the East of England’s history. She has the experience needed to steer the development agency through the challenges posed by the region’s plans for major growth and the commitment necessary to keep things on course during difficult economic times.

“I would also like thank the outgoing chief executive, David Marlow, for all his hard work and dedication during his time with EEDA. I wish him every success for the future.”

East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) chief executive Brian Stewart said: “I look forward to working with Deborah in her new role. The next few years will be challenging for the region; coping with changes to the economy and housing market and delivering the new Regional Economic Strategy and East of England Plan. A strong partnership between EERA and EEDA already exists and I look forward to developing that even further with Deborah, whose appointment we warmly welcome.”