Celebrating the success of the Backing Essex Business programme
Funded by Essex County Council and delivered by Let’s Do Business Group, the Backing Essex Business programme concluded in 2026 after nearly five years of delivering tailored advice, skills development, peer networking and bespoke support to businesses across Essex – having supported over 2,300 businesses, and creating over 1,000 jobs in the county
2,338 businesses benefitted from fully funded support through the Backing Essex Business programme delivered by Let’s Do Business Group
Let's Do Business Group is proud to mark the conclusion of the Backing Essex Business programme, funded by Essex County Council, which ran from July 2021 to March 2026. Over nearly five years, the programme delivered wide-ranging, free business support to entrepreneurs and established business owners across Essex, helping them to start, grow and thrive.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Let's Do Business Group, funded by Essex County Council, developed the initial Back to Business Essex programme — a dedicated initiative designed to help Essex businesses recover, adapt and rebuild in the face of disruption.
“I feel so lucky to have been given the support that I’ve got through Backing Essex Business. It just blew my mind and it was one on one support with somebody who I felt really cared, and she could see the wood throughout the trees like I do for my clients.”
— Karin Ridgers, Owner, Mad Promotions
1,149 jobs were created as a direct result of support provided through the fully funded Backing Essex Business programme
The success and reach of Back to Business Essex made one thing clear: the need for high-quality, funded business support in Essex did not end with the pandemic, and had far reaching potential for positive economic growth. Recognising the lasting benefit that such a programme could bring to businesses across the county, Essex County Council continued its investment, and Back to Business Essex evolved from its pandemic roots into Backing Essex Business – a broader, long-term programme of support that would go on to help Essex businesses at every stage of their journey.
A further 1,509 jobs were safeguarded as a result of support provided by Backing Essex Business
Growing year on year with each iteration of the programme, Backing Essex Business adapted to the needs of local businesses and their challenges. From offering one-to-one tailored advice and expert guidance to tackle rising costs, skills gaps and more, to delivering practical workshops and events designed to equip business owners with new skills, Backing Essex Business provided a comprehensive and accessible support network, stimulating economic growth and building a more resilient business community across the county.
Having concluded on 31 March 2026 after almost five years, in total, the Backing Essex Business programme:
Supported 2,338 businesses in just under 5 years (July 2021 – March 2026)
Created 1,149 jobs through supporting Essex businesses in their growth
Enabled the safeguarding of a further 1,509 jobs
“The Backing Essex Business programme has been a real success in helping hundreds of businesses across the region to access finance, advice and support. We are proud of the scheme’s strong track record and the positive impact it has had across the county. As the programme moves to new provider Ambitious Essex, we look forward to continuing this support and building on its success.”
Let's Do Business Group thanks Essex County Council for their sustained investment in Essex businesses, and to all the businesses, advisers, partners and stakeholders who participated in and supported both Back to Business Essex and Backing Essex Business over the years. Your engagement has made this programme the success it is – changing the landscape for businesses across the county and paving the way for a bright future for Essex.
For more information about Let's Do Business Group and our wider range of business support services as well as project delivery, on our website
