23 October 2026
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Home » News » Greater Essex takes centre stage at investment showcase
Greater Essex’s strengths as a place to invest, grow and do business were highlighted at a special showcase in Westminster on 22 October.
Held at Surveyors House, the Greater Essex Government Showcase brought together representatives from local councils, business, government departments and strategic partners.
The event showcased the county’s strong economy, international connections, innovation assets and major development opportunities. It was organised by Extraordinary Essex in partnership with the Greater Essex Business Board.
Guests included:
Leaders from Greater Essex’s upper-tier councils
Business representatives from across the county, including members of the Greater Essex Business Board
Officials from the Office for Foreign Investment, Department for Business and Trade and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Representatives from key organisations including the UK Innovation Corridor, London Stansted Airport and Essex County Cricket Club
Attendees heard from businesses that have chosen to invest in Greater Essex and learned about the benefits of operating in the county. Partners also presented a range of opportunities across sectors.
Julia Gregory, Chair of the Greater Essex Business Board, said: “Greater Essex is one of the UK’s most exciting locations for investment, offering the space, connectivity, talent and ambition that businesses need to succeed.
“This event demonstrated both the strength of our public-private partnership and the scale of opportunity across the county. From innovation and advanced manufacturing to logistics, energy and commercial development, Greater Essex has a powerful growth story to tell.”
Councillor Peter Harris, Leader of Essex County Council, said: “This event was about bringing together Greater Essex partners behind a shared vision for investment, growth and prosperity. Promoting Essex as open for investment is one of the key commitments set out in our 100 Day Plan, and we are determined to deliver on that ambition.
“By establishing an ongoing dialogue between government, businesses and Greater Essex leaders, we’re able to strengthen our collective voice, showcase the scale of opportunity available here and create the conditions needed to unlock investment, create jobs and drive economic growth for years to come.”
Councillor Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: “Southend is a city on the rise, with significant investment, regeneration and development helping to shape our future.
“By working alongside our Greater Essex partners, we can amplify our collective strengths and make an even stronger case for growth and investment and building a city that we are proud of as part of a thriving Greater Essex.”
Councillor Richard Bingley, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: “We stand at the centre of a fast-changing economic landscape, and we are determined that Greater Essex will shape the future with confidence, creativity and ambition.
“Greater Essex is a place of opportunity, backed by strong partnerships, significant growth potential and a clear vision for the future. We are committed to working with investors and businesses who share our ambition, creating the conditions for investment, innovation and long-term economic growth across the county.”
The event also marked the launch of the Invest in Greater Essex: 2026 Investment Prospectus.
The prospectus highlights some of the county’s most significant investment and development opportunities, alongside the strengths that make Greater Essex an attractive place to invest.
It covers:
Greater Essex’s economy and business environment
key growth sectors and innovation assets
strategic transport links and international connectivity
major regeneration and development programmes
The document also features a portfolio of opportunities, ranging from investment-ready projects to longer-term strategic growth locations across the county.
Explore the prospectus in detail
