Brighton businesses get a new voice on regional growth

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-04 16:57 2 min read

Brighton Palace Pier extending over the sea under a clear blue sky.

Professor David Greenfield has been appointed chair of the Brighton & Hove Business Growth Board, Brighton and Hove City Council confirmed on 4 August 2026. The position also gives the city’s business community a route into the emerging regional structure through the chair’s seat on a new advisory business board.

Strategic leadership for the city’s economy

Greenfield will provide strategic leadership to the Brighton & Hove Business Growth Board and support delivery of the Brighton and Hove Economic Plan and related strategies. His remit includes strengthening the business voice in economic planning and promoting inclusive, sustainable growth.

The board brings together representatives from the private, public, voluntary and academic sectors. Its chair also serves as an ambassador for local businesses, encouraging collaboration across Brighton and Hove’s creative, digital, professional-services, tourism, education, sustainability and innovation sectors.

Brighton businesses get a new voice on regional growth

A link to the emerging regional authority

The appointment comes as the Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority takes shape. That body is intended to provide a wider regional framework covering investment, skills, transport, housing, regeneration and economic development.

Greenfield will sit on the newly created Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority Business Board, which will provide strategic advice to the regional authority. The arrangement is designed to ensure Brighton and Hove’s business priorities are represented within wider Sussex discussions. The council’s announcement did not identify specific funding decisions or projects attached to the appointment.

Business and circular-economy experience

Greenfield founded SOENECS in 2014 and co-founded TTB Circular IT in 2020. He is managing director of both organisations and has led multi-million-pound programmes involving businesses, universities, councils and government bodies.

Born and educated in Brighton and Hove, he completed his undergraduate degree and PhD at the University of Brighton, where he is now a visiting professor of circular economy. Greenfield said he would work with businesses and partners across the city on collaboration, resilient investment and inclusive, regenerative growth.

Source: Brighton and Hove City Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

The appointment, board responsibilities and regional advisory connection were checked against the council notice published on 4 August 2026.

Checks

Confirmed the appointee’s name and new position.
Separated the city Growth Board remit from the regional Business Board’s advisory role.
Checked the stated professional and University of Brighton connections.

Brighton and Hove City Council Check wider coverage