The purpose of PEP is to encourage high levels of employment, economic development and prosperity in the Chichester District. Through its membership, PEP will represent senior executives from all sectors of business and provide them with a platform for voicing opinions on a wide range of local economic and planning issues. This will enable PEP to represent the interests of its members authoritatively.

To this end, PEP has the following objectives:

1. To identify strategic issues of particular interest to the local economy, which can be effectively addressed on behalf of members
2. To provide a vehicle and pressure group for all sectors of business to be heard
3. To encourage decision-making authorities and agencies, within the area, to consult and act upon the views of local business
4. To work with Regional, County and District Authorities and other agencies in private and public partnerships to encourage employment and economic growth in West Sussex.

PEP provides a forum for senior executives in commercial, industrial and professional organisations in the Chichester District to debate and present a consensual business view on the area’s economic development.

PEP is influential in presenting its viewpoint to the various tiers of government and participating in various initiatives and partnerships including:

• Bognor Regis Limited
• Bognor Regis Regeneration Vision Group
• Chichester District Business Federation
• Littlehampton Business Partnership
• West Sussex Coastal Business Group
• West Sussex Coastal Strip Enterprise Gateway Hubs
• West Sussex Economic Partnership.

PEP keeps abreast of the local funding available for economic development in the region. PEP analyses and comments on proposals and consultation documents emanating from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and the County and District Councils. It is pro-active as well as reactive and in addition to researching issues, PEP members set up a number of working groups to consider the key topics that they consider are fundamental to PEP's aims and objectives.

PEP is a company limited by guarantee, Company Number 4437442. It is managed by a Board of Directors and an Elected Committee, aided by voluntary assistance and funded by Member subscriptions. It has many of the principal businesses in the area as members.

Information is regularly distributed to Members in the form of newsletters, PEPtalk and ePEPtalk, which serve to ventilate topics of interest and concern. Please go to PEPtalk for more information

Organisations or individuals wishing to join PEP should complete the application form attached, contact the Vice-Chairman on 01243 530536 or complete the online enquiry form.