About the EGBA
Connecting and supporting local business, with local people.
The EGBA is a non-profit association bringing together people working in businesses across East Grinstead and the surrounding area — to share knowledge, open doors for one another, and speak with one voice where it counts.
By working together within a professional organisation, East Grinstead businesses can ensure that they have a voice — and that it will be heard.
Grahame Russell
Chair, East Grinstead Business Association
121
Member Businesses
80+
Sectors Represented
Monthly
Networking Events
Non-profit
Member-Led Association
Our Purpose
More than a networking group.
Our aim is to support and represent all trading, service and commercial enterprises within the greater East Grinstead area. The association works closely with local government to represent members' views, resolve problems and promote the town as a place to do business.
We are member-led and non-profit, so every decision is taken in the interests of the businesses we represent.
- Monthly networking hosted on member premises
- A regular member newsletter
- A collective voice with local councils
- Alerts to available business grants
What We Do
Four things the association exists for
Representation
Working with the town, district and county councils, our MP and the Police to represent members' views and resolve problems.
Connection
A monthly networking event hosted at a member's premises, free to members and first-time guests who want to sample what's on offer.
Communication
A regular newsletter with news and insight from local decision makers, plus alerts to grants and consultations that affect your business.
Community
Part of the Mid Sussex Crime Partnership, links with local schools and colleges, support for the East Grinstead Sports Council, and championing local arts and community radio.
How We're Run
Member-led, and openly accountable
An elected committee
The Executive Committee acts much like a company's board of directors, guiding the association within its constituted framework and accountable to the membership.
Our constitution
The rules that govern how the association is run, how decisions are made and how members are represented.
Download the constitution (PDF)AGM minutes
A record of each Annual General Meeting, including the chair's report, the accounts and the election of officers.
View the minutes archiveMeet Our Team
The Executive Committee
Mims Davies MP
Co-Chair
Our constituency Member of Parliament, supporting the association's work to represent local business interests at a national level.
Grahame Russell
Chair
A long-standing East Grinstead business owner who chairs the Executive Committee and leads the association's engagement with local government.
Fiona Bewers
Business Manager
Runs the day-to-day operations of the association, from membership and events to communications and the members' directory.
Jack Smith
Treasurer
John Plumb
Tim Thompson
Education & Apprenticeships
Charlie Martell
Logistics & Retail
Louise Lucas
Christine Wise
Stuart McClure
Rex Whittaker
Town Council Representative
Stuart Scholes
Non-Executive Director
Brings an independent perspective to the committee, drawing on years of experience advising local and regional businesses.
Could you help shape the town?
Members are invited to stand for the Executive Committee at the AGM. It is a practical way to give something back and to help steer the association's work.
Committee members give their time voluntarily, alongside running their own businesses.
Our Nominated Charity
The Greenaway Foundation
Helping local families who fly under the radar
The Greenaway Foundation was founded in 2010 by local estate agency Greenaway Residential, which donates over 10% of company profits to the charity.
- 900
- Families Supported
- 1,600+
- Children's Wishes
- 2010
- Founded
Families are referred through local schools and helped with uniforms, food, travel and school trips. The foundation works quietly and without fuss, supporting those who would otherwise go without.
At Christmas, each family receives the ingredients for a two-course festive meal, while children can wish for a gift up to £25, delivered on Christmas Eve.
Registered charity number 1187817. Figures shown are for Christmas 2023.
Who We Work With
Partners across the town and county
East Grinstead Town Council
The town's local council
Mid Sussex District Council
District-level planning and services
West Sussex County Council
County-wide strategy and infrastructure
Our Constituency MP
Parliamentary representation
Mid Sussex Crime Partnership
Reducing crime against local business
Local Schools & Colleges
Skills, careers and apprenticeships
EG Sports Council
Supporting sport and wellbeing in the town
Arts & Community Radio
Championing local culture and voice
Current Priorities
What we're working on right now
Town Centre Improvement Plan
Working with the town and district councils on a practical plan to make the high street more inviting, accessible and commercially viable.
A possible Business Improvement District
Exploring whether a BID could fund additional town-centre services and promotion, and what it would mean for members.
Local government reorganisation across Sussex
Following the restructuring of councils across Sussex and making sure East Grinstead's business voice is heard in the new arrangements.
Skills and young people
Strengthening links between local businesses and schools and colleges, and supporting apprenticeships and early careers in the town.
Join 121 local businesses with a voice in this town
Membership is open to businesses of all sizes, based in or operating in East Grinstead and the surrounding area. From £12 a month.