As well as its three main offices in Colchester, Chelmsford and Southend, Essex Chambers of Commerce also has a large network of Affiliated Chambers. Essex Chambers Director Dave Gronland explains:

One of the features which distinguish Essex Chambers from the 60 or so other BCC Accredited Chambers in the UK is its large number of Affiliated Chambers.

There are 11 in total - Braintree, Brentwood, Burnham, Clacton, Frinton, Halstead, Harlow, Maldon, Saffron Walden, Thurrock and Witham. They account for two in five of the total membership of Essex Chambers and, as you can see, are located all over the county.

My role as a Director of Essex Chambers of Commerce is to represent the interests of the Affiliates, ensure that they have a 'voice' within the County Chamber and to act as a two-way communications channel.

My own Chamber is Braintree but other ECCI Directors also have links with the Affiliates, for example Chris Johnson with Harlow Chamber.

I have always regarded the Affiliates as an important part of the Essex Chambers model, combining County, Regional and National activity with local representation and local identity.

There are other benefits too. Affiliated Chamber members are very welcome to attend any of the networking lunches and events in Colchester, Chelmsford and Southend.

They can also access all other Essex Chambers services, often on preferential terms, and become involved - as many Affiliated Chamber members already do - with other new initiatives such as the Essex eBusiness Club and the recently launched Virtual Committees. Quite an attractive package of additional benefits!