With Easter behind us and warmer longer days stretched out ahead, 2025 seems to be whizzing by at quite a pace! Let’s take a minute to stop and reflect on the recent positive news and insights from our impressive member community.
This edition of Grapevine is bursting with brilliant insights and achievements from local Essex businesses. If you would like to be featured in the next edition, then why not get in touch today!
As always, it’s been an eventful month for the Chambers. Here is a round-up of our exciting events and latest news for April.
A Warm Welcome to the Newest Member of the Team – Julie Arthur!
Essex Chambers are thrilled to have a new addition to our Events Team. Julie Arthur joins us in her new role as Events Coordinator, and it’s like she’s always been here, fitting into the team perfectly with her can do attitude. In fact, on her second day in the new role she was in at the deep end assisting with a bustling networking event.
Julie joins us with an extensive experience in the charity and fundraising sector and many of you will already have had the pleasure of getting to know her in this capacity. We look forward to strengthening our events programme with Julie’s knowledge and passion.
The next time you attend one of our events, make sure to give Julie a great Essex welcome!
Chief Constable Visits Essex Businesses
Recently our Client Relationship Manager, Kim Paxman, had the honour of accompanying BJ Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police, on a tour of some of our valued member businesses.
Essex Police are committed to fostering strong partnerships with local businesses to help create safer working environments and build better communities. At Essex Chambers, we are proud to support the ongoing collaboration between the police and our business community, working together for a safer and stronger Essex.
A big thank you to Thames Card Technology, Best Environmental Solutions, Halo Value Added Services and The Treehouse Club for the warm welcome to each of your premises. It was a pleasure to be able to introduce the Chief Constable to a fantastic and diverse range of businesses.
Networking & Nourishment for Body & Mind with Anurag Aggarwal
On a beautifully sunny spring evening in earlier this month, we had the pleasure of welcoming attendees to Finishing Line’s Basildon headquarters for a special networking event featuring a charismatic and talented chef.
Since making it to the finals of MasterChef in 2023, Anurag Aggarwal has been spreading his positivity and passion throughout the Essex business community and beyond. Having been a valued member for the past couple of years, we were thrilled to host an event that showcased both his uplifting ethos and his incredible culinary skills.
Following an inspiring presentation, guests experienced the very thing that gives him his infectious passion – his amazing food. Enjoying the delectable fresh flavours of the Chicken Makhani or vibrant Chickpea Curry, attendees were left feeling enthused, nourished and happy with an event that was good for their bodies, minds and business connections.
Happy Work Anniversary Kim!
Congratulations to our Client Relationship Manager, Kim Paxman, on her 11-year work anniversary!
For over a decade, Kim has been the trusted support for our members in the south of Essex — always bringing a friendly face, a wealth of knowledge, and a true passion for helping businesses thrive. She's been instrumental in building strong connections and ensuring our members get the very best from their experience with us.
Whether she’s fostering partnerships or teeing off at our Annual Golf Day, Kim brings the same enthusiasm, dedication, and team spirit to everything she does.
Here’s to 11 amazing years — and many more to come!
Sales, Stress, and Support: Launching a Safe Space for Professionals
April is Stress Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to launch our new series of networking events aimed at highlighting the pressures faced by sales professionals.
Our first event was held at our Colchester base in the Innovation Centre, Knowledge Gateway. We were delighted to welcome so many attendees, all eager to offer support and be supported in navigating the challenges of their work environments.
This initiative was spearheaded by our Client Relationship Manager, Nick Brown. Nick opened the event by sharing his deeply personal motivation for bringing this series to life, the untimely passing of his close friend and former colleague who tragically took his own life.
We were honoured to be joined by Joe Denham, Chairman of our Board and serial entrepreneur. Joe spoke candidly about the toll that decades of hard work, stress, and sacrifice have taken on him personally. While acknowledging that some thrive under pressure, Joe shared that unchecked stress can have devastating consequences — including a stress-induced heart attack he survived at age 50.
Natalie Britt, Mental Health Education Lead from Mid & North East Essex Mind, also spoke to our attendees. She explained the Mental Health Continuum and how stress is often the biggest contributor to the deterioration of wellbeing. Natalie encouraged sales professionals to use their natural drive and resilience to take proactive steps towards managing stress in healthy ways, and to seek help early when needed.
The Chambers remains committed to supporting our sales community, with planning already underway for the next session in July.
Dates for your Diaries
🤔 Devolution for Essex – What You Need to Know Webinar – Thursday 1 May - FREE for Members
🕵️ Demystifying AI for Small Businesses – Practical Time-Saving Tools – Wednesday 7 May - FREE for Members
💻 May Virtual Networking - Wednesday 14 May - FREE for Members
💶 Understanding UK-EU VAT Implications Webinar - Thursday 15 May - FREE for Members
🏨 Network with Wivenhoe House Hotel - Wednesday 21 May
🛣️ Networking at the Park Inn with Lower Thames Crossing - Wednesday 4 June
⛳ Chambers Annual Golf Day - Wednesday 25 June
🤝 FREE Member Networking & AGM – Thursday 17 July
🎪 Festival of Business - Wednesday 5 November