A business savvy Ealing resident is setting up a network to support, connect and encourage local businesses.

Fergus Crockett, 58, lives in Ealing with his wife and their three young children.

With thirty years experience in senior executive roles, he is also the founder of his own business performance enhancing company and is now focusing on setting up a local network with fellow Ealing resident and financial planner Simon Humphrey.

They hope to provide the traders of Ealing with important business guidance and a space to grow together.

"The idea is very much local and about local support and local business", Fergus told Nub News. "I'm hoping to get businesses talking and promoting each other."

Originally from Stirling in Scotland, Fergus has been in Ealing for 30 years and met his wife at the Castle Inn pub.

The idea behind the network is to connect local businesses with one another and, in turn, encourage buying local.

Fergus said there are 10,000 businesses within a five-mile radius of Ealing, according to their research, but he added that they are lacking a network of support.

"It's about connecting businesses and trusting what they do, also bringing people from new start-ups to meet each other and share ideas, because it's hard setting up alone.

"It's also about bringing out the personality of the business and people, I think that's critical."

He added: "If you ask someone locally, do you know a local architect? The answer is that not very many people do."

Any type of business that feels they could benefit from meeting others in the area can join the network.

Benefits of joining would include weekly meetings and free training to learn about the latest developments or trends, as well as social events, education sessions and being part of a growing network that will influence the area and encourage people-focussed business.

Fergus has already built up a social network and knowledge of local organisations through living in Ealing and his work with the parent and teacher associations (PTA) at Little Ealing Primary.

Through raffles, events and fundraising the PTA has previously managed to raise £35,000 in a year towards school maintenance costs and building a new playground.

Fergus used this as an example of how the community can come together and use their connections to achieve goals that benefit the area, a key element of the network.

"It's not necessarily about the people in the room but about their connections and recommendations, building trust and relationships.

"And it's helpful for the consumer because it encourages people to shop locally by getting recommendations."

There is a free seat on the board for a local charity, and they have recently taken on board the Ealing community interest company 'Yes It's Possible', tackling homelessness in the borough.

They held their first meeting this Wednesday, and future meetings will be a mix of both online and in person.

If you are a local business or have any queries about the network email Fergus on [email protected] and social media accounts will be available to follow from next week.