The North Essex Economic Board (NEEB) is celebrating five years of coordinated delivery, investment and collaboration across the region, marking the impact of its work to support economic growth from 2021 to 2026.
The collaboration between seven local authorities and an investment of more than £2.35 million has helped thousands of businesses, residents and aspiring entrepreneurs across North Essex access the skills, support and opportunities they need to grow.
NEEB consists of Braintree District Council, Chelmsford City Council, Colchester City Council, Maldon District Council, Tendring District Council, Uttlesford District Council and Essex County Council, who came together to create greater opportunities for residents and businesses across North Essex.
Rather than each area working independently, the partnership has enabled funding and expertise to be brought together, helping to create programmes that reach businesses and residents across geographical boundaries to provide a much wider impact. At the centre of NEEB’s work has been a simple principle: working together can achieve more.
Over the past five years, NEEB-funded programmes have supported 2,292 businesses, helped create 50 new businesses and 388 new jobs, and supported the safeguarding of a further 31 businesses and 78 jobs.
The partnership has also delivered 225 workshops and events, reached 1,072 students and provided 226 businesses with finance-raising guidance, helping businesses explore and access funding to support their ambitions.
Supporting businesses at every stage
A key focus of NEEB’s work has been making practical business support accessible to businesses across North Essex.
Programmes have provided businesses with access to training, one-to-one advice, specialist guidance, networking and opportunities to connect with other local businesses.
This has included opportunities for businesses to gain greater exposure and make new connections, including 60 businesses having the opportunity for a free exhibition stand and exposure at the North Essex Expo.
Support has also helped businesses understand their finance options and take steps towards raising finance, while programmes such as NEEB Link have brought different forms of business support together to make it easier for businesses to find the help they need.
Investing in the entrepreneurs of the future
The partnership has also recognised that economic growth is about more than supporting established businesses.
Dedicated programmes for young entrepreneurs have given young people the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship, develop practical business skills and gain experience of selling their products and services.
Young people have been able to access online learning, financial literacy support, mentoring and opportunities to take their businesses into local markets, helping them build confidence alongside their business knowledge.
This focus on developing the entrepreneurs of the future sits alongside NEEB’s wider skills work, which helped residents develop digital and employability skills and improve their opportunities to enter the workplace.
By bringing local authorities, delivery partners, businesses, education providers and communities together, NEEB has been able to respond to local needs while creating opportunities that cross district boundaries.
Its work reflects the reality of the North Essex economy, where businesses, workers and communities do not stop at council borders.
NEEB’s work continues into 2026, with the partnership remaining focused on supporting businesses, developing skills and creating a more prosperous and inclusive economy across North Essex.
