MORE than 170 people attended the second annual Thurrock Business Conference last Wednesday.


Cllr John Kent, leader of Thurrock Council opened the breakfast-time event at the Civic Hall in Grays, and spoke to delegates about the importance of maintaining and growing the links between the business community and the council.


He also spoke about the importance for local businesses of keeping the borough’s road infrastructure unclogged and clear of congestion, by introducing free-flow tolling on the Dartford Crossing as soon as possible, and making and improvements to the M25-A13 intersection.
 

The council’s chief executive, Graham Farrant, spoke about the promises the council made last year and how they had been fulfilled, , including regular business breakfasts, the meet-the-buyer event at Tilbury Cruise Terminal, and a business e-zine launched this week.


The meeting was chaired by Brett Smallcombe, a director of local business LG Networks and chair of Thurrock’s Business Network International group.
 

Thurrock born Paralympic hero Danny Crates was the guest speaker, and told the conference about his journey back to health and sporting success after losing his arm in a horrific car crash.