Over 130 local business leaders recently attended Grow and Connect – a networking event held at CEME Rainham and organised by Barking and Dagenham Council and CEME’s Business Growth Academy.

The event featured a keynote speech from Simon Beer, Head of Employment and Skills for Barking and Dagenham Council. It also saw speeches from the Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce and Noorzaman Rashid, CEO of CEME. It was opened by Nicola Holland, Head of Partnership and Skills at CEME.

Held at the CEME campus in Rainham, the event delivered a mix of collaboration, knowledge‑sharing and community building.

Designed to strengthen relationships across the region’s business sector, the event provided a space for attendees to exchange insights, explore partnership opportunities and gain fresh perspectives on growth.

Highlighted at the event was the council’s Food Enterprise Network, which supports local food entrepreneurs to develop sustainable, high‑quality catering businesses.

Simon Beer, Head of Employment and Skills at Barking and Dagenham Council, said: “Events like this are so important – bringing together the borough’s diverse array of businesses into one room leads to positive conversations, new partnerships and a stronger local economy for all our residents to enjoy.

"In Barking & Dagenham, 'inclusive growth' isn’t a catchphrase—it’s our compass. It means designing an economy where opportunity is built-in, barriers are removed, and the benefits reach everyone."

If you’re a local business owner or entrepreneur and want to learn more about the support available to you, email: businessforum@lbbd.gov.uk.