Essex Business Partnership networking is an important and integral part of my business marketing. Connecting with a wide range of businesses on a weekly and monthly basis is vital for me. I continue to make invaluable connections for booking my services, recommending me to their own connections and collaborating on exciting projects together. EBP is far reaching both geographically and strategically with such a large number of groups throughout the Essex area. I find the meetings and management team hugely supportive. In a nutshell it is a professional, friendly, proactive and supportive networking organisation.

I joined Essex Business Partnership’s Women in Business Group to meet likeminded women who face similar challenges in their professional lives and to help raise SNAP’s profile, but I found so much more — a community that truly supports each other. The members are generous with their time, knowledge, and connections. They have helped us solve problems and have shared unique insights into their businesses. Sally, Karen, and the EBP team have provided so much support and the connections I have made have been so beneficial in the work I do. It’s a welcoming and inspiring group that will help you build your confidence, both personally and professionally.

Essex Business Partnership has been a fantastic network to be part of. It has proved to be a hub for a diverse range of business interests, and I’ve gained many valuable contacts through my membership. I typically attend the construction networking meetings, which provide a great informal setting to meet other businesses, build relationships, and explore opportunities for mutual benefit.

We’re proud to have been a member of the Essex Business Partnership since day one, benefitting from our building relationships with other, like-minded Essex based business’ and their inspirational owners and managers and the indefatigable management of EBP. We’ve not only grown our own business but are pleased to have been able to recommend members to our clients and contacts.

Thank you to Essex Business Partnerships for supporting my journey. Without all of the networking opportunities you have given me, I wouldn't be where I am today. You bring so much knowledge and experience into the room regularly and I'm so grateful to be a part of it. All the work I do is for today's Youth, the future of our society, the future of my children, your children and our grandchildren. Today's young people need our guidance now more than ever. You don't know what you are capable of until you start pushing yourself Mentally!

I’ve been a member of Essex Business Partnerships pretty much since the start, and it’s a great group to be part of. The members are brilliant, friendly, supportive, and genuine. There’s a big mix of events all across Essex, and the more relaxed networking style really works for me. I also like that there are no lockouts; they focus on collaboration, not competition. It’s one of the few networking groups I’ve stuck with, and for good reason.

It has been an wonderful experience in my role as a Local Business Manager for Metro Bank, to attend the networking events put on my Essex Business Partnerships. The networking meetings have given me the chance to build strong, meaningful, and lasting relationships with amazing local businesses across the area. With the fantastic support from Sally and Karen, the atmosphere has always been welcoming, positive, and full of genuine collaboration. It’s been inspiring to connect with passionate local business owners, share ideas, and create partnerships that truly make a difference in our community. I’m really proud to be part of such a vibrant network that brings people together, encourages growth, and strengthens local business connections. I’m excited to keep building on these relationships and see what we can all achieve together!

I have been attending a number of networking events organised by Essex Business Partnership specific to the construction industry. It has been invaluable to meet local contacts and connections within the construction industry. What is so refreshing about the networking events is that are informal which in my view helps to foster lasting connections with like minded business professionals within the industry. I have been given the opportunity to present at the events which helps to showcase our services which we offer to the construction industry. I would highly recommend the events to anyone within the construction industry that wish to grow their business.

I attend the monthly Women in Business organised by Essex Business Partnership. The events are well run and organised. They provide an excellent opportunity to meet like minded business people who wish to grow their businesses in an informal setting, which promotes business and personal relationship amongst professional women working in the business environment. I have made a number of excellent connections and it is a great source of referrals and work. In attending these events it has given me the opportunity to promote our services to a wider audience such appearing on local radio stations.

Our team regularly attend Essex Business Partnership networking groups. We’ve always found the meetings to be friendly, informative, and a great way to connect with other professionals in the community. The sessions are well organised and provide useful opportunities to share ideas and build relationships with local businesses

I've connected with so many new people at the EBP, gaining new business in the process. I've also built some great collaborations with other businesses. A very friendly networking group, with no pressure to do a 60 second pitch if you don't want to.

I’ve been attending the Women’s Battlesbridge meeting for just about a year now. Sally and Karen have created a relaxed, welcoming and non-competitive environment where there’s zero pressure and the focus is on building genuine business connections and relationships. The monthly meetings are something I always look forward to. There’s always great conversation around the table, a lovely mix of businesses that attend, and I often leave feeling inspired. For me, it’s about supporting one another, sharing ideas and building real relationships with like-minded women. This is exactly what this group provides.

As a long-standing member of Essex Business Partnerships, I can genuinely say it’s played a huge role in my business and personal growth. Over the years, I’ve attended countless meetings, exhibited at their business event, and had the privilege of speaking at the Supporting Women in Business Conference. I’ve also had the unique opportunity to share my story on Phoenix FM radio through the group, which was a fantastic way to raise my profile and connect with the local community. What really sets Essex Business Partnerships apart is the genuine care and support from Sally and Karen. They go above and beyond to make sure every member feels welcome, valued, and encouraged to make the most of every opportunity. Their dedication creates a warm, inclusive environment where business owners can thrive. It’s also been a pleasure to work with so many inspiring members, building relationships and collaborating on projects that have made a real difference to my business journey. One thing I’ve learned is that you only get out what you put in, the more you show up, participate, and make connections, the more you’ll gain in return. If you’re looking for a proactive, friendly, and supportive business community, I can’t recommend Essex Business Partnerships highly enough.

After a 40-year absence, I recently relocated to Essex from Berkshire and was looking to reacquaint myself with the county and build both a personal and professional network. Speaking with Sally Sykes on the phone, I was impressed and felt that her networking group was exactly what I needed. I truly appreciate the welcoming atmosphere of the numerous meetings held across Essex. The collaboration and flexibility to attend meetings that fit my schedule are invaluable. I particularly enjoy the opportunity to connect with professionals from sectors I wouldn't typically encounter, such as the construction industry. At Kept Assets Limited, we provide Estate Planning Services, assisting people with wills, powers of attorney, and trusts to ensure their hard-earned assets remain with their families and loved ones. Having networked in Berkshire for over 20 years, I can confidently say that I haven't found anything as effective and flexible as the Essex Business Partnership.

I’ve really enjoyed being part of this networking organisation and regularly attend meetings across several locations. Through these events, I’ve had the opportunity to meet a wide range of business owners and professionals, many of whom I’ve since used for their services. I really appreciate the flexibility of the meeting schedule — there are so many different sessions available that I can always find one to fit around my diary. It’s also been a great way to discover and visit new venues that I might never have gone to otherwise. At every event I’ve attended, I’ve always felt incredibly welcome. The atmosphere is friendly and inclusive, and I’ve had so many lovely conversations that have helped me to build genuine relationships — not only for business but on a personal level too. Overall, it’s been a fantastic experience and one I would highly recommend to anyone looking to expand their network in a positive, supportive environment.

Create Yourself Calm CIC joined Essex Business Partnerships in early 2025 and have attended networking meetings in a variety of locations around our area. Every meeting is managed in a professional and friendly manner. We have particularly enjoyed the warmth and informality of these networking events compared to some others. We have met a variety of fellow business owners and made some useful links and contacts whilst building our profile in the creative health space. We were very grateful that Sally and Karen agreed to come and try one of our creative mindfulness workshops as our guests. They really do make a real effort to get to know the businesses they network with. We were also thrilled to receive some funding from EBP to support our work with the local Ukrainian community in Brentwood. This enabled us to run a workshop offering a space for this community group to relax and recharge with us at no cost to them. This experience of offering a funded workshop enabled us to successfully compete for some local funding opportunities meaning we can now deliver our creative health workshops more widely to the people who really need the opportunity.

I’ve attended many networking groups over the years, but this one truly feels like the perfect fit for me and my business. From day one, Sally and Karen have been so welcoming and supportive, helping me grow in confidence when it comes to networking thanks to their friendly and encouraging approach. I attend three of the monthly events and have built some fantastic relationships with other like-minded business owners along the way. I really value the relaxed atmosphere and the fact there’s no pressure to attend every single session — it’s flexible and understanding, which is ideal for me as both a full-time business owner and a mum with family commitments. Even though attendance isn’t mandatory, I find myself joining all three events most months because they’re enjoyable, valuable, and fit perfectly around my schedule. I would highly recommend this group to anyone looking for something fresh and genuine — it’s brought a completely different spin on successful networking without it feeling like the stereotypical kind.

I’ve attended a large number of networking groups over the years but Essex Business Partnerships is, in my opinion, head and shoulders above the rest. There is no pomp or unnecessary formally. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming and thus, perfect for like minded business owners to get together and do business. I’ve been a member since October 2024 and in that time, made a good number of relevant solid connections and transacted several pieces of decent business. Highly recommend

I attended my first Essex Business Partnerships Charities networking event in 2024, with the aim of sharing ideas with other charities about fundraising, as this is my role at Endeavour Co-operative Academy, an Essex school for learners with moderate learning disabilities and complex needs. I was hesitant at first, but the more meetings I attended, the more I realised how beneficial networking could be. With the support of Essex Business Partnerships, our network has grown significantly, and the benefits have by far exceeded fundraising. By consistently attending these events, we have built valuable relationships that have resulted in finding trusted trades to help us with projects at the school, career opportunities for our learners, and learning how to communicate our message to people who can help us achieve our goals. Sally and Karen have gone above and beyond to support us, flying the flag for our school and never missing an opportunity to recommend us to anyone in the network we could collaborate with. As a result, our learners have better resources and opportunities, and we are equipped with greater knowledge on how to support ourselves. On a personal level and as a school, we are very grateful to Essex Business Partnerships for their support, and we look forward to continuing this relationship with them.

If you run a business in Essex, get yourself to an Essex Business Partnership meeting. The mix of people, the energy and the support is unmatched. It's networking done properly.

Essex Business Partnerships is a brilliant Networking organisation run by Sally Sykes. It is relaxed and friendly but is always making a positive contribution to the business of its members. By covering specialist areas such as Construction, Charity, Health and Well Being, Supporting Women in Business as well as General Networking there is something for all businesses. By being part of this you have the opportunity to form business relationships with many other owners and indeed we can testify as to the success of this.

I am proud to say that I have been part of the organisation since its inception and I have found being a member and attending their events very beneficial. The variety of members, and visitors, attending the meetings has provided me with great contacts and useful information as well as a couple of pieces of paid work. The information has propelled me to view various aspects of my own business and to make improvements, which have made significant impacts to my business. I find that the way in which the groups are constructed are extremely inclusive and I would not hesitate to recommend people to try an event and to see for themselves how useful attending the events, and being a member, can be. I know that networking is the main way I obtain custom and recommend services from within my own connections. Yes networking can be a slow burn, but the camaraderie and willingness to share is what I find most beneficial.