Rural & Market Towns Economic Alliance (RMTEA)
Strengthening collaboration and supporting sustainable growth across South Horsham
What is the RMTEA?
The Rural & Market Towns Economic Alliance (RMTEA) is a new business-led partnership bringing together the rural and market towns of Billingshurst, Pulborough, Storrington, Steyning and Henfield.
Its purpose is to strengthen collaboration, champion shared economic priorities, and support sustainable, long-term growth across the south of Horsham District.
The RMTEA will bring together businesses, community partners and local authorities to help shape a stronger, more resilient rural economy.
Why the RMTEA is being established
Communities across the RMTEA area share similar opportunities and challenges, including:
- Skills shortages and changing workforce needs
- Shifting retail and visitor patterns
- Rural connectivity constraints
- A diverse and highly skilled SME base
- Strong local identity and community networks
By working collectively, these towns and villages will benefit from:
- A unified rural economic voice
- Improved competitiveness for funding
- Shared learning and best practice
- Stronger place-based leadership
- Greater resilience during Local Government Reorganisation
What the RMTEA will do
The Alliance will focus on practical, business-driven outcomes, including:
- Coordinating joint business-support projects
- Sharing knowledge, innovation and best practice
- Pursuing collaborative funding bids
- Representing rural business needs at county, regional and national level
- Leading events such as a new Rural Business Forum and Careers Week
- Using a detailed Business Needs Assessment to guide priorities
Be part of the RMTEA Board or wider stakeholder network
The founding RMTEA Board, will provide leadership, direction and oversight during the Alliance’s establishment and early programme delivery. The roles we are recruiting for are listed below.
Business Representatives (5 roles)
One for each town: Billingshurst, Pulborough, Storrington, Steyning and Henfield.
We are seeking business owners or senior leaders who:
- Are well-connected locally
- Can engage with multiple businesses
- Have time and willingness to actively contribute
- Are collaborative, community-minded and passionate about local enterprise
Specialist Board Roles
We are also seeking professionals for the following roles:
- Governance Lead
- Project Management Lead
- Financial Management Lead
- Chair
These voluntary roles require relevant experience (e.g., governance, project delivery, board leadership, financial oversight) and a commitment to rural economic development.
A wider stakeholder group—including parish councils, business organisations and community partners—will also support the RMTEA.
You do not need to complete a formal application at this stage — simply tell us who you are, your connection to your town or village, and why you are interested in joining the Alliance.
Privacy and Data Use
Please note: Expressions of interest will be shared with Coast to Capital (C2C). The Council has engaged C2C to support the establishment of the RMTEA, including advising on the programme and helping to recruit suitable Board members. Emails will therefore be forwarded to C2C so they can assist with assessing suitability and coordinating next steps.
By contacting us to express interest in the RMTEA, you consent to your information being shared with Coast to Capital (C2C) for the sole purpose of supporting the setup of the RMTEA and assisting with Board recruitment. Your information will not be used for any other purpose.
Join our information webinars
We also invite you to register to join us in one of two information webinars in January 2026. These will give you a full overview of the alliance and what it could mean for your business. There will also be the opportunity for a Q&A session after our presentation.
Sign up for the webinar on Monday 19 January 2026 | 5-7pm
Sign up for the webinar on Tuesday 20 January 2026 | 12-2pm
If you have any questions or information you would like to contribute to this initiative, prior to the webinars, please email business.support@horsham.gov.uk.
Next steps for RMTEA
- Finalise governance and recruit Board members
- Hold the first stakeholder meeting
- Launch the Business Needs Survey across the RMTEA area
- Plan and deliver the first Rural Business Forum