Business, skills and enterprise support designed around place, delivered with purpose, measured by impact and powered by EssexWorks®.
The Consortium helps local government, public-sector and economic development teams turn priorities into practical, measurable programmes.
Based in Essex, we design and deliver business, skills and enterprise support that reflects the needs of local businesses, residents and places. Our work combines first-hand business ownership experience with senior commercial, public-sector and corporate expertise.
Every programme we deliver is powered by our proprietary EssexWorks® platform, integrating live performance dashboards, measurable outcomes and a seamless participant experience.
We are rooted in Essex and committed to supporting long-term economic growth in the places where we live and work.
Local Knowledge. Innovative delivery
Every programme is designed around our commissioners’ priorities, audiences, budget and outcomes. We combine strong programme brands, robust project management and live reporting through our proprietary EssexWorks® Engine.
This helps us optimise engagement, track progress, evidence impact and make support easier for businesses and residents to access:
- Bespoke digital apps
- Live performance and KPI reporting
- In-person, hybrid and on-demand delivery
- Accessible user journeys
- Clear evidence of impact
Our aim is simple: make support easier to access, easier to use and easier to evidence.
As featured by BBC Essex and FSB
Member of the Federation of Small Businesses
Our Clients' Stories
Ultimotive Ltd
Background
Ultimotive manufactures car cleaning chemicals in the UK, marketing them worldwide using licensed brand names Turtle Wax, Williams Car Care, Moto GP, Michelin and Stayzon. The car wash and auto detailing market is worth £8.461bn, with an annual growth rate of 2.46%. The sector is responsible for employing 208,000 people worldwide (source IBIS World). In April 2019, Ultimotive was awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise for its success in international sales.
Positive Intervention
Ultimotive was a fast-growing company, whose continued export growth was restricted by a lack of working capital. Graham Broughton, an Essex Innovation mentor, introduced the business to the International Division of the client's bank, and to the Government's UK Export Finance scheme. As a result of UKEF support guarantee, the bank increased their operating facility from a low five-figure to a high six-figure sum.
Outcome
As well as the accolade of the Queen's Award for Enterprise, export sales (accounting for 39% of the company's business), experienced growth of almost 300% in the period 2015-17. Notably, at this critical time for British exports, Ultimotive's global reach is still accelerating. International markets include Australia, Qatar, Turkey, Sweden and Jordan. 2019 will see the company's footprint expand further as it launches exciting new products in Asia.
Having the Williams name at the forefront of the car care sector is important for our brand. Ultimotive's constant innovation of products has enabled the continued success that Ultimotive and Williams have experienced.
Our Work With The Public Sector
We have helped Local Authorities deliver bespoke business support outcomes since 2006.
Harnessing over 200 years' combined business experience, The Consortium members were hand-picked to deliver Essex County Council's Essex Innovation Programme (EIP) which ran from 2006-2017. The EIP funded us to mentor pre-start-ups, start-ups and established SMEs, to ensure their survival and growth. This programme was a proven success, as measured by its key performance indicators (KPIs), delivering a return of £27 for every £1 invested by Essex County Council.
This graphic shows just some of the positive outcomes of the Essex Innovation Programme:
