Sharing ideas and creating business opportunities across our region

vital awareness and support for individuals and families affected by Down’s syndrome across the county. Their work makes a real difference in the lives of children and young people with Down’s syndrome to enable them to thrive.

What a great night the Kent Business Leaders Dinner was!

The Old Brewery Store, which is part of Britain’s oldest brewery, Shepherd Neame, is a great venue and we had the opportunity to sample the brewery’s famous ales, as well as a tasty meal prepared with local produce.

We ae looking forward to this year’s Kent and Medway Business Summit. It will take place in the Sibson building on the Canterbury campus of the University of Kent on Tuesday 13 May. This is such an important event for business leaders across the region, especially at such uncertain economic times. It will be a great opportunity to share ideas and strategies with other business leaders.

Philip Keet, CEO of Millennium Consulting, shares his wealth of experience running a successful

30-year-old business in this edition’s Big Interview. He also talks about meeting the King at a special event through his charitable work in Kenya.

Huge congratulations to the MegaGrowth 50, Kent’s 50 fastest-growing businesses, with a minimum turnover of £1 million. This is the second year that the Chamber has supported the event and it was a delight to meet some of the successful businesses at the awards presentation, which pleasingly included several of our members.

Keep ahead of the game with all the information you need for changes in food waste legislation in our cover feature. There are also some top tips on ensuring your marketing campaign is sustainable.

It is good to see that the defence industry has been given a credit boost from the Chancellor which will see billions of pounds unlocked for defence companies that export overseas, but the introduction of 25 per cent tariffs on exports of UK steel and aluminium to the United States will undoubtedly have an impact on prices and costs.

There is, without doubt, tough times ahead for economic growth with huge cost pressures due to rises in National Insurance and the minimum wage, so it is even more vital that we all stick together and support each other.

And one for the diary: The Kent Construction Expo, which takes place on 2nd October at Kent Event Centre, Detling, is the largest construction event in the region and will feature 180+ exhibitors. Enjoy a full day of networking with Kent’s leading developers, subcontractors, material suppliers, manufacturers, architects, and more. Don’t forget to register for this free event and pop it in your calendar; see page 42.

I look forward to seeing you at one of our Chamber events very soon.

Tudor Price Chief Executive, Kent Invicta Chamber

of Commerce