Patron News

Kent Business Leaders Dinner

Held at The Pumproom@Copper Rivet Distillery in Medway

The latest Kent Business Leaders Dinner, staged in association with the Kent Invicta Chamber Patrons, was held at The Pumproom, part of the Copper Rivet Distillery at the old Chatham Dockyard. The distillery was built in 1873 as a pumphouse, to pump water into and out of the dry docks as ships were mended or built. Having opened a very successful spirits distillery in part of the building in 2016, the Russell family, Bob and sons Matthew and Stephen opened The Pumproom as a fine dining restaurant in the remaining part of the structure in April 2021.

Over fifty guests were welcomed by Kent Invicta Chamber Chief Executive, Jo James and Copper Rivet Founder Bob Russell. Prior to dinner, guests were treated to a brief tour of the distillery and drinks on the restaurant’s riverside terrace.

Before dinner Richard Hicks, Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive at Medway Council, gave an animated and passionate presentation on why Medway is a great place to live, to work, to learn and to visit. Guests then enjoyed a truly delicious meal created from local produce accompanied by wines from Westwell and Biddenden vineyards and Chapel Down beers. Guests enjoying a brief tour of Copper Rivet Distillery

Speaker Richard Hicks, Medway Council

Guests networking on the Terrace by the River Medway Jo James, CEO, hosting her table Richard Lavender, President of Kent Invicta Chamber

Jo James, CEO of Kent Invicta Chamber, touring the distillery

Patrons Andrew Osborne. Ashford Borough Council and Ventsi Tsankova, MHA MacIntyre Hudson in conversation with Tom Cole, XT Biomed

Bob Russell, our host at The Pumproom Lee May, Mei Ling McNab and Sarah Mannooch from Patron Brachers