About Us

A partnership approach to business support

Essex County Council has undertaken the second of our Essex Business Surveys and I would like to thank all businesses that contributed. As a result, we now have a better understanding of the issues, challenges and benefits of operating a business in Essex. 

One of the main messages in both the 2007 and 2008 surveys was that local businesses are not aware of the range of support that Essex County Council and partners offer. Therefore, we have produced this new publication that we trust will help you to find the support you need. Essex County Council recognises that many business owners and employees in Essex also live here and that quality of life is important to you. To this end, we have a strong commitment to offering the best quality of life in Britain and through our EssexWorks programme we are working to achieve both a strong economy and a desirable place to live by looking at a range of factors including education, protecting the environment, improving skills, promoting health and leisure and supporting vulnerable people.  We are proud of the Essex history of entrepreneurship and the well established business community that exists here. With the county undergoing major regeneration in areas such as Thames Gateway and Haven Gateway and events such as the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games around the corner, the future holds great opportunity. We want to help ensure that local companies achieve maximum potential from such events and that the Essex entrepreneurial spirit remains strong.

I hope that you will find this booklet a valuable guide.  

Cllr Stephen Castle, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Regeneration and the 2012 Games

Background

A response to business needs

In the spring of 2008, Essex County Council commissioned a survey of 1000 local businesses across a range of company sizes, sectors, and geographies, the purpose being to find out more about Essex companies and the issues they face.

The survey made us realise that although the county has many excellent business support schemes they are under-utilised and many potential beneficiaries remain unaware of them. The objective of this booklet is to give Essex companies a greater awareness of what is available.  

We trust that this brochure will enable you to find the help that you require. It brings together the services of the main business support organisations within Essex.