4 February 2026

Greater Essex Business Board sets out vision as it launches manifesto

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Greater Essex Business Board sets out vision as it launches manifesto

Business leaders from across Essex came together on Tuesday (3 February) to set out a confident, business-led vision for the future of Greater Essex, launching a new manifesto focused on accelerating growth, attracting investment and unlocking opportunity across the region.

The Greater Essex Business Board (GEBB) launched the Greater Essex: Globally Connected, Powered by Ambition manifesto at an event attended by senior business figures, councils and partners. The event brought together employers of all sizes to discuss how Greater Essex can build on its strengths and accelerate long-term economic growth.

With a £55 billion economy, 94,000 businesses and 878,000 jobs, Greater Essex is already one of the UK’s largest and fastest-growing regional economies. GEBB highlighted that if the region performed in line with the wider South East, it could generate up to £8 billion more in economic output each year – underlining the scale of the opportunity for businesses operating in the area.

The manifesto launch comes at a time of significant change for the region, as Greater Essex prepares for a new era of devolved decision-making and future governance arrangements. Speakers at the event, including Tom Walker, Interim CEO for the Greater Essex Combined Authority, emphasised the importance of ensuring that business insight and experience help shape how new powers are used to support growth, productivity and investment.

Julia Gregory, Chair of the Greater Essex Business Board, said: “Greater Essex is ready and open for investment. This manifesto reflects the ambition and expertise of our business community and sets out a clear plan to unlock the region’s full potential.

“As governance arrangements evolve, it is vital that business has a strong voice in shaping decisions on infrastructure, skills and investment. By working in partnership with local leaders and a future Mayor, we can accelerate growth and ensure Greater Essex is recognised as a globally connected destination for business.”

Hosted in association with Essex Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses (East of England), the Institute of Directors – Essex, and the Confederation of British Business (East of England), the event brought together a broad cross-section of businesses from across Greater Essex.

BBC Look East presenter Susie Fowler-Watt, led a discussion with a panel of industry leaders reflecting on the challenges and opportunities facing the region, and what is needed to support sustainable growth.

The manifesto sets our four priority areas for action:

Infrastructure for Growth – long-term investment in rail, road, energy and freight capacity, including the establishment of Integrated Transport and Power Accelerators.
Inward Investment – positioning Greater Essex as a global gateway, supported by two Freeports, two international airports and world-class connectivity.
Skills – establishing Greater Essex as the UK’s test-bed for skills innovation, including a ‘One Essex Skills Front Door’ and a Skills & Innovation Fund.
Inspiring Business Growth – creating a simpler, smarter system of support for SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups, including innovation centres and a single front door for business support.

Speakers also highlighted the significant investment already underway across the region, including £1.1 billion at London Stansted Airport, creating more than 5,000 permanent jobs, up to £1 billion at DP World London Gateway, the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing, and clean-energy and offshore opportunities at Freeport East and Thames Freeport.

Mark Bretton, Chair of the Business Board Network, added: “The GEBB manifesto for growth is an excellent example of a confident, no nonsense, clear declaration of purpose and a shining example of what an effective Business Board looks like and what it can do. If anyone asks what a Business Board does, point them to this manifesto. Its strength lies in one critical point common to all effective Business Boards; created by business, for business, with business.

“That enables it to be effective in another vital role – a strong independent local business voice at the table that influences the issues and policies that impact local business and enable economic growth. At a time of roller coaster geopolitics and unpredictability, it is that voice and strength of vision of the GEBB that ensures local decisions are relevant and have long lasting impact for the people of Essex. We are proud to have them as members of the Business Board Network.”