Thinking Business August 2023

Welcome to the latest edition of Thinking Business.

In this issue we focus on the construction sector, and we take a look at some exciting projects across the region in our countdown to the Kent Construction Expo on Thursday 5th October at Kent Event Centre.

Building a better environment for Kent

The Expo is the largest gathering of construction industry professionals, contractors and suppliers in the South East and is sure to be a great event for all who attend.

Read all about the exciting projects that David Browne and Ben Glancy and their team at Convert Energy have undertaken across the region including Herne Bay Pier. With rising energy costs and sustainability firmly at the top of the agenda for many businesses, renewable energy is experiencing its own power surge, as the Company Directors explain on pages16 -17.

The skills agenda is vital to ensuring businesses have the skilled workforce they need to compete in the global economy. When you have the right people onboard, your business can increase productivity, be more innovative and more adaptable as new technologies emerge.

Across the UK, we have a shortage of skilled workers, including the construction sector. A report by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) published earlier this

year revealed that over 200,000 extra workers are needed to meet UK construction demand by 2027.

Kent Invicta Chamber is the employer representative body (ERB) for the Kent & Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and over the last 18 months, we have been listening to employers’ views to inform the key priorities in Kent & Medway. Find out more about this inside.

The Chamber has been supporting businesses across the county to deliver international trade for decades. We are here to help whether it’s advice, compliance or administrative services you need. We have a global business network of 138 British Chambers of Commerce and business groups, we understand the complexities of trading internationally, we provide customs services to make the whole process smoother and easier, we can guide you through export certification, and we deliver import/ export training and qualifications.

Entries for the Kent Invicta Chamber Business Awards are open so please take a look at the categories

on page 45 and in further detail at: www.kentchamberawards.co.uk

The Awards are a great way to bring together the business community and showcase all your amazing achievements, both as individuals and as businesses. The categories include Outstanding Contribution to Business in Kent, Business of the Year, Most Promising New Business and Entrepreneur of the Year. Construction is the focus of this edition and is highlighted in one of our special business awards – Construction Project of the Year. Thank you, as always, to our wonderful sponsors who ensure the continued success of our Chamber Business Awards.

I hope you have a restful break this summer and look forward to seeing you all very soon.

Jo James OBE, Chief Executive, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

Editorial and General Enquiries

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Ashford Business Point, Waterbrook Avenue, Sevington, Ashford, Kent. TN24 0LH

Chief Executive: Jo James OBE Tel: 01233 503 838 info@kentinvictachamber.co.uk www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk

Media No. 1932

Published August 2023

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Disclaimer

Publisher Ian Fletcher Benham Publishing Limited, Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ Tel: 0151 236 4141 Fax: 0151 236 0440 admin@benhampublishing.com www.benhampublishing.com

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Thinking Business is published for Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. Views expressed in Thinking Business are not necessarily those of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission. © 2023. Please note that submitting an article does not guarantee publication. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

Cover image: Shoreline Folkestone, courtesy of Jenner Group

Honorary Doctorate for Jo, in recognition of significant contribution to strengthening the local and regional economy

Jo was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science by Chancellor Dr Gavin Esler at a ceremony in Canterbury Cathedral, in front of an audience of under- and post-graduates and their families and guests.

The award was in recognition of Jo’s significant contribution to strengthening the local and regional economy, as well as her dedication to equipping young people for the world of work. It follows her 15 years as Chief Executive. Speaking after the ceremony, Jo James said: “It was an honour to receive the award and great to see so many young people setting out on their careers.

“Some of the students will have come to Kent to continue their education, others will already have lived here, but I would urge them all to look at what Kent has to offer as a fantastic

county with lots of opportunities. We have a fantastically diverse business community and with their knowledge and drive, they can help it become even greater.

“While it might have been me on stage, a big thank you must go to every member of the team at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and our patrons and partners, without whom we wouldn’t be able to support individual businesses and Kent’s economy.”

Jo was one of fifteen inspirational individuals chosen to receive an honorary degree including the four members of the Russian punk collective Pussy Riot; former England cricket captain and commentator David Gower OBE; musician and educator Chi-chi Nwanoku CBE, and comedian Josie Long.

Why is the skills agenda a top priority for business?

• Improve innovation: Bring the knowledge and skills your business needs to develop new products and services, and new ways of doing things.

• Greater adaptability: Skilled workers can learn new skills and adapt to new technologies more easily.

Having the right workforce not only enables businesses to address their current needs but can also support them facing some of the bigger agendas such as net zero and technology changes.

By Lucy Druesne, Skills Programme Manager, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

The skills agenda helps to ensure that businesses have the skilled workforce they need to compete in the global economy.

A well-skilled workforce can help businesses:

• Increase productivity: Skilled workers are able to work more efficiently and effectively, and they are more likely to come up with new ideas and solutions.

This is nothing new and most businesses recognise this, however the current situation in the UK is one of shortage of skilled workers, with near full-employment businesses and organisations in general are facing some increasing challenges when trying to recruit and maintain a skilled workforce.

Added to this, the impact of the aging workforce and the fact that younger generations are smaller in size, this need is not going to go away. In some sectors the need is very acute, for Social Care, 27% of the current workforce is over 55, and that is just one example.

These workforce changes put a focus on the reskilling and upskilling of the existing workforce, so we need

to ensure that the skills conversation is wider than new entrants in a sector and business.

Whilst not all organisations are facing these recruitment and skills problems yet, there is a high chance they will in the coming years. It is essential that businesses are aware of the issues but also that solutions are developed to ensure that businesses have the workers they need.

These challenges are ones where we, as businesses, are going to have to get involved, education providers and education stakeholders cannot address this without input from businesses and it is essential that we work together for the benefit of our region.

So, what are we, your Chamber, doing about it?

Kent Invicta Chamber is the employer representative body (ERB) for the Kent & Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP). Over the last 18 months through various workshops, events, and surveys, we have listened to the views of employers on skills needs and combined it with local, regional and national evidence.

We have used this to form a view of the key priorities in Kent & Medway and summarise the skills, capabilities

or expertise that are, or may in the future be, required. All of this will be included in the Kent & Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan 2023, which builds on the 2022 document and will be published soon.

This plan sets out the priorities and actions we will be taking in the key sectors, cross cutting themes, as well as our watching briefs, giving us a roadmap to progress the skills provision and workforce needs for the future economic development of the region. These steps will be important to ensure Kent & Medway maintains a vibrant economy supported by an appropriately skilled workforce ready for the future. The process of the LSIP and the approach the Chamber has taken builds on the value of raising the awareness around the skills agenda and the focus on how employers can better engage in the skills conversation for the benefit of the upcoming and existing workforce, the economy, and the region as a whole.

So, watch this space as the Chamber continues to embed the skills conversation within employer forums and to do more to ensure employers are at the heart of the skills conversation with providers; ensuring there is a meaningful impact for businesses in Kent & Medway.

The University of Kent has bestowed an Honorary Doctorate on Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce’s Chief Executive, Jo James OBE.

Commercial PropertyTerminating a Lease

By Simon Stempien Girlings Solicitors

A commercial lease - a contract made between a landlord and a business tenant - is legally binding, but what happens when a tenant seeks to leave an agreement early? Simon Stempien, Commercial Property Partner at Girlings Solicitors, explores the options for tenants and the implications for landlords.

Assigning a Lease: Assignment is the transfer of an existing lease to a new tenant. Many leases allow the tenant to assign their lease with the landlord’s consent –with such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. However, a landlord can require that certain conditions are met before a lease is assigned, including requiring the outgoing tenant to guarantee the new tenant’s compliance with the lease. As such this does not represent a completely ‘clean break’ for the outgoing tenant.

Creating an Underlease: Here, the tenant retains their lease, but a new lease is created ‘out of’ that lease. As such, the ‘sub-tenant’ (the tenant of that new lease) will comply with the terms of the lease and pay rent to the current tenant, the current tenant must then continue to pay their rent to the original landlord.

Surrendering a Lease: This occurs when a landlord and tenant agree to end their lease. The landlord will often require a ‘surrender premium’, a payment to the landlord for allowing the tenant to be released. The starting point would be a payment based on the remaining term and remaining rent, although it is rare for the surrender payment to total the full amount remaining under the lease – not least because the landlord may well be able to mitigate any loss by letting the property to someone else.

Forfeiting a Lease: This is, perhaps, the least desirable option. Here, the landlord takes back the property due to the non-compliance by the tenant.

Simon Stempien Commercial Property Partner

The landlord can sue the tenant for unpaid rent and any other costs. As it is not an ‘agreement’, the outcome may be worse for the tenant than other options. In this case, the landlord may also claim dilapidation costs to restore the property to the state expected had the tenant complied with the terms of the lease.

A landlord may also have certain protections in the case of forfeiture, these include:

Guarantors: A person who agreed to fulfil the obligations of the lease if the original tenant does not comply with the terms. While a tenant may request to surrender or forfeit the lease, the landlord may instead refuse and ask the guarantor to step-in.

Rent Deposit: This is a sum of money the tenant paid to the landlord at the start of the lease. The landlord holds this sum in case the tenant cannot comply with the terms of the lease, and it is likely to be forfeited by the tenant if the lease is forfeited too.

It’s our business to think ahead

When it comes to financial advice, it’s important to find someone you can trust.

trust.

Celebrating 33 years of providing unbiased holistic financial planning to clients and businesses across Kent. We are proud of our success, our independence, and our reputation of being a friendly, professional practice.

Celebrating 33 years of providing unbiased holistic financial planning to clients and businesses across Kent. We are proud of our success, our independence, and our reputation of being a friendly, professional practice.

Celebrating 33 years of providing unbiased holistic financial planning to clients and businesses across Kent. We are proud of our success, our independence, and our reputation of being a friendly, professional practice.

Celebrating 33 years of providing unbiased holistic financial planning to clients and businesses across Kent. We are proud of our success, our independence, and our reputation of being a friendly, professional practice.

For more information about the many services we offer, please visit our website or follow us on Linkedin for regular FAS news, views and financial updates.

For more information about the many services we offer, please visit our website or follow us on Linkedin for regular FAS news, views and financial updates.

For more information about the many services we offer, please visit our website or follow us on Linkedin for regular FAS news, views and financial updates.

Folkestone Office: 01303 273 273 Maidstone Office: 01622 238 230

For more information about the many services we offer, please visit our website or follow us on Linkedin for regular FAS news, views and financial updates.

Email: ifa@financial-advice.co.uk

Folkestone Office: 01303 273 273 Maidstone Office: 01622 238 230

Folkestone Office: 01303 273 273 Maidstone Office: 01622 238 230

Email: ifa@financial-advice.co.uk

Folkestone Office: 01303 273 273 Maidstone Office: 01622 238 230

Email: ifa@financial-advice.co.uk

Email: ifa@financial-advice.co.uk

www.financial-advice.co.uk

www.financial-advice.co.uk

www.financial-advice.co.uk

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When it comes to financial advice, it’s important to find someone you can trust.

When it comes to financial advice, it’s important to find someone you can trust.

When it comes to financial advice, it’s important to find someone you can

Commercial Interior Design and Fit Out We Create Your Workspace

Is your office in need of a new lease of life and bringing up to date? Are there spaces in your office that can be better utilised?

Create a workspace that prioritises your employees wellbeing and offers alternative flexible working environments with a variety of furniture solutions. With an inspiring and motivating setting, your company can benefit from a boost in productivity whilst having a team of happy employees.

Better still there are some cost effective approaches you can adopt when considering your office fit out project.

1 Keep it Simple

Not all companies can afford a state-of-the-art office, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a boring or ineffective design.

For example, a neutral canvas can help you capture the essence of your brand without overwhelming the space. You could use neutral finishes and add branded elements for a splash of colour. This will create a simple yet stylish office that reflects your brand’s personality. You could also go for a simple open plan layout with “anchor points” for each department.

This means teams can work in the same space but don’t necessarily have to use the same seats, which is ideal for hot-desking or hybrid working.

2 Buy Multi-Purpose Office Furniture

To make the most of your furniture, consider investing in multifunctional pieces. Manufacturers have developed many innovative solutions for businesses over the years.

For example:

• White board tables have a flip-top writable surface that can facilitate meetings and collaborations whilst also saving space.

• Modular furniture offers a bit more flexibility without breaking the bank. Modular furniture can be arranged into clusters for collaboration or separated for individual work.

• Plant Display Dividers – One simple, effective trick is to use plant displays as department dividers. This is a great way to map out your departments while adding some uplifting greenery to the interiors.

“There are so many multi-purpose furniture products to choose from to utilise space in almost any working environment.

With an ever-changing furniture market, we are regularly excited to see new, innovative products being generated by our trusted suppliers. For a completely fresh and unique office space, we also enjoy creating our own bespoke products alongside our furniture partners to produce the perfect solution for our clients.”

Aimee Beazleigh,

3 Think Long Term and Put Employees First

Designer

Creating a workspace that employees love, businesses can reduce attrition rates, save money, and attract talent that will increase revenue.

For these reasons, it’s important to get the office interior design right. Consider how it will meet your employees’ expectations. If you’re on a budget, prioritise the necessities, such as breakout spaces, tea points for refreshments, washrooms, and the main working area. Furthermore, you can consult your chosen fit out company on products durability. Some items, such as metal framed desks and laminate flooring, can withstand a lot of wear and tear and are easier to maintain.

At Rap Interiors, our team of experts can help you implement an office design that meets your needs, whilst meeting your budget. We have a proven track record of helping businesses create a work space that is not only functional, but is inspiring and the envy of their competitors.

If you’re looking to get the most out of your investment for your next office fit out, contact us today. We’ll be happy to discuss your needs and put together a proposal that fits your budget.

How a communications specialist

can improve your reputation

There are so many channels to reach your target audience and here at Izzy PR, we’ve worked with clients who have fallen over trying to do them all –when only a handful were ever going to be effective.

Planned, consistent and well thought out communications are vital if you want to reach the right target audience with the right message at the right time – when they are in a position to buy.

Here’s what a communications specialist can do for you – that adds real value and kudos to you and your brand:

1. A strong message and strategy – effective and consistent communication of the key attributes, values, and goals of either you or your organisation.

2. Positive media relations: If you have a good story, the media will be interested in it – especially ‘human interest’ - people like to read about people!

3. Crisis communications management: Managing the media to dampen down or extinguish a story to limit any reputational damage.

4. Social media management: Content creation full of posts that put across the key messages and values and engage with your audience, partners and stakeholders.

5. Thought leadership: With the right story and media relationships, you and your company can be positioned as a thought leader in your industry or field. This involves creating high-quality, well researched, in-depth content such as articles, blog posts, whitepapers, and presentations that demonstrate expertise, knowledge, and innovation. Your expertise will be shared and gain you credibility.

Sarah Hawes izzypr.co.uk

Unique corporate days out –created by Chamber member partnership

Chamber members, UK Electric Bike Centre and Opulence Bespoke Wine Experiences have teamed up to offer unique corporate days out to businesses in Kent and further afield.

Emma Broom from Opulence and Marcus Van Der Gaag from UK Electric Bike Centre based at Headcorn Aerodrome will be offering e-bike vineyard wine tasting experiences.

Guests will cycle from the airfield to the vineyard or vineyards, meeting Emma for a luxury day of wine tasting, staying at one or cycling onto another, following beautiful, quiet, country lane routes.

The experience can be created for entertaining clients to a wonderful day out or enjoyed by your staff as a treat or team building day.

Tutored wine tastings, three-course lunch, cycle guide, support vehicle, overnight accommodation and the cycle route – all can be arranged.

Get in touch with Emma or Marcus for more information and a bespoke quote. opulenceofengland.co.uk ukelectricbike.co.uk

If you’re considering a self-build, you don’t have to do it alone.

Vernacular Homes based near Ashford works with self-builders to help their projects along, usually from the very beginning to completion...using their experience to prevent delays and associated rising costs...every self-builder’s worry.

Here’s how they can help:

1. Keep you on budget

A poorly planned budget can result in an unfinished or substandard build. We will work with your budget, advising on the many variables to help save costs without compromising on design.

2. Manage the planning process

Planning and building regulations can impose complications. We understand different local authorities’ requirements and are able to advise on the do’s and don’ts, giving your application as much chance of success as possible.

3. Design and planning

We provide support on all planning and design elements, suggesting any necessary adaptations to satisfy local authority requirements, while ensuring your dreams are brought to fruition.

4. Ensure proximity of utilities

Being close to schools, shops, transport links – what’s important to you? As well as utilities such as electricity and gas, these must be considered carefully when choosing your plot. A good house builder will handle these issues, while contracting trades work to trusted and reliable partners.

5. Interior design, fixtures and fittings

As well as the right colours and materials, you need fixtures and fittings that work with the way you live.

The options can be overwhelming. We’ll help you carefully consider the options, and we have access to professional interior designers who can help find the ideal functionality and look for your new home if required.

For more information visit: vernacularhomes.com

How a house building company can make self-build easier

Romax thrilled to relocate to Kent and join Chamber

positive impact of tangible print-based communications, particularly for the less digital savvy or those with digital access limitations. Excluding these customer cohorts from an inclusive customer interactive experience is perhaps not only socially inappropriate, but most definitely detrimental to business sustainability in the mid-term.

Romax is thrilled to have recently become a member of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce having recently relocated to Kent. We look forward to playing an active part in Chamber life and we hope that we can find collaborative ways of working with many more of you.

Many businesses are struggling with their customer journey and related client communication. In a rapidly evolving business environment, the need to adapt how, as businesses, you communicate at every touch point of your customers’ life cycle is a vital part of business growth.

Businesses need to adopt a digital first approach without neglecting the

From our beginning over 25 years ago, we now offer services with a clear view to the future but without a negative view on the past. Not “Out with the old and in with the new”, more a case of “Retain what works of the old and innovate for the future”. The need for businesses to provide integrated and joined up data driven customer communication has never been more critical.

We help clients to deliver the right message to the right person at the right time - most importantly using the preferred channel of the recipient.

Our team is looking forward to meeting with you all and getting to hear about your businesses when we meet at future Chamber events.

To find out more about Romax, visit: romax.co.uk

Small enough to care and Big enough to deliver

CDS Rose is one of the leading and most established Kent based water treatment and consultancy companies in the UK operating in the South East, London and surrounding areas of the M25. Their services include: Legionella RA, Legionella compliance and water hygiene, disinfections, water quality sampling, closed systems.

Since CDS Rose Ltd was founded in 1988, we have built up an extensive and valued client base.The ethos of the company is to provide highquality, efficient and cost effective on-site services with a strong focus on customer needs.

We pride ourselves on developing and maintaining a close working relationship with all of our clients, ensuring that their bespoke water treatment and Legionella compliance needs are met.

CDS Rose Ltd - Why choose us?

At CDS Rose Ltd we are small enough to care and big enough to deliver. With a ‘family feel’ approach, we like to work closely with our clients in order to completely understand their organisation and what they are

We’ll turn an argument…

Not all businesses run smoothly –arguments and disputes inevitably occur. Once harmonious partnerships can sour, impacting business performance and profit. So it’s essential to resolve disputes as effectively as possible before legal action comes into force.

aiming to achieve, whether it be a reactive requirement or a need for ongoing support with their water hygiene compliance.

For domestic and closed water systems we act as consultants at every stage from design and construction to the ongoing operation of the systems. We specialise in water quality testing; investigation, analysis, monitoring, assessment, remedial and preventive work.

Our highly qualified site team possesses a diverse breadth of knowledge on all aspects of water services within the built environment. This multidisciplinary approach means that we are able to understand your issues, no matter how trivial or complex they may be, and provide a bespoke solution that works.

Our services are currently being used across many sectors and industries throughout Kent, London and the South East. These include education, healthcare and local authority organisations, as well as many others.

For more information, visit: cdsroseltd.co.uk

Unlocking Sales Potential: Flowbird and Pipedrive Transforming Business Operations

2. Enhanced Sales Efficiency: Pipedrive’s intuitive interface combined with Flowbird’s expert guidance ensures seamless adoption and utilisation of the CRM platform. By optimising workflow automation, eliminating manual tasks and centralising customer data, businesses can significantly increase their sales team’s productivity and efficiency.

3. Improved Sales Visibility: With Flowbird and Pipedrive, businesses gain realtime visibility into their sales pipeline and performance. Customisable dashboards, advanced reporting and analytics enable businesses to measure key metrics, identify trends and make data-driven decisions to propel their sales growth.

In this article, we introduce Flowbird, an Elite Pipedrive Partner, and delve into how Flowbird, together with Pipedrive, empowers businesses to optimise their sales operations and achieve sustainable growth. Join us as we explore the valuable services offered by Flowbird and the expertise of Louis Tomlinson, a Sales Enablement Consultant at Flowbird Ltd.

Flowbird: Enabling Sales Success

Flowbird is a leading provider of sales enablement solutions, specialising in CRM implementation, consultancy and training services. As an Elite Pipedrive Partner, Flowbird has demonstrated exceptional expertise in leveraging the power of Pipedrive’s intuitive CRM platform to drive sales efficiency and business growth. By focusing exclusively on Pipedrive, Louis ensures a deep understanding of the system and offers tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of businesses.

Unlocking the Potential of Pipedrive:

Pipedrive, a renowned sales CRM system trusted by businesses worldwide, provides a comprehensive suite of features designed to streamline sales processes and enhance productivity to ensure your sales teams close deals faster. Flowbird, with its expertise in Pipedrive, assists businesses in harnessing the full potential of the CRM platform. From initial setup and configuration to comprehensive training and ongoing support, Flowbird guides businesses every step of the way to maximise their sales effectiveness with Pipedrive.

Meet Louis Tomlinson, Your Sales Enablement Consultant:

Louis Tomlinson, a seasoned Sales Enablement Consultant, is at the forefront of Flowbird’s commitment to customer success.

With years of experience in sales and CRM implementation, Louis possesses a deep understanding of the challenges faced by businesses in today’s competitive marketplace. By partnering with Flowbird, businesses will gain access to Louis’ expertise and personalised guidance, ensuring a smooth and successful integration of Pipedrive into their sales processes.

Why Choose Flowbird and Pipedrive?

By partnering with Flowbird and leveraging Pipedrive’s robust CRM platform, businesses gain numerous benefits:

1. Streamlined Sales Processes: Flowbird and Pipedrive work hand in hand to automate and streamline sales operations, allowing sales teams to focus on building relationships and closing deals. With features such as deal tracking, activity management and pipeline visualisation, businesses will gain a clear overview of their sales processes, enabling effective decision-making and prioritisation.

In addition to our CRM implementation and training expertise, Flowbird is committed to empowering businesses with knowledge and insights to succeed in today’s competitive market. We invite you to join our regular webinar sessions, where we’ll share valuable tips, best practices and strategies for optimising your sales process using Pipedrive. Whether you’re a seasoned sales professional or new to the world of CRM, our live webinars provide a platform for continuous learning and growth. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and gain a competitive edge. Register for our upcoming webinar and unlock the full potential of Pipedrive for your business.

Flowbird, as an Elite Pipedrive Partner, offers unrivalled expertise and support in a business landscape that demands streamlined processes and efficient sales operations. By harnessing the power of Pipedrive’s robust CRM platform, combined with the personalised guidance of Louis Tomlinson, businesses can unlock their sales potential, drive growth and achieve lasting success. Experience the transformative impact of Flowbird and Pipedrive today and embark on a journey towards optimised sales efficiency and sustainable business growth.

We understand the importance of making informed decisions when it comes to selecting the right CRM solution for your business. That’s why we’re excited to offer you a riskfree opportunity to experience the power of Pipedrive. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and explore all the features and benefits that Pipedrive has to offer. During this trial period, our team of experts will be available to guide you and provide support, ensuring a smooth and seamless onboarding experience.

Start your journey towards improved sales efficiency and accelerated growth by signing up for the 30-day free trial today.

Flowbird Ltd

Cobbs Wood House, Chart Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1EP

Email: louist@flowbird.co.uk l Website: www.flowbird.co.uk

Direct Dial: 01233 746299 l Phone: 01233 743240

New Requests: hi@flowbird.co.uk

As the business landscape continues to evolve, organisations are increasingly recognising the importance of streamlined sales processes and efficient customer relationship management.

CANTERBURY BUSINESS GROWTH PROGRAMME

The Programme, provided by Canterbury District Council, and delivered by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce is designed for owner-managers and social enterprises to explore and develop high growth approaches.

By the end of the programme you will have:

• A high growth plan for your business

• Enhanced your management and strategic growth skills

• Improved business resilience and

• Explored innovation and how it can help growth

Businesses in Kent who have engaged with this type of programme previously have seen:

• Turnover increases in excess of 28%

• Significantly enhanced profits

• Improved access to funding

• Increased employment and the scale of their business

OUR OFFER

Commencing from September 2023 and delivered online and face to face, you will receive in excess of 36 hours of support over a 12 month period from expert business advisors who have a track record of improving performance and building growth in the businesses they work with made up of:

• High Growth Workshops

• Monthly 2 hour peer networking sessions

• Monthly individual 1 hour 1-2-1 support working with an experienced advisor to work on your business challenges and growth strategies

HOW TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

The programme is 80% funded and delivers more than £4,500 of support. The cost to you is £50 per month for 12 months of support, payable quarterly in advance.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Businesses who have an appetite for growth in the Canterbury area and have been:

• established 2 years with 5 or more employees and a turnover in excess of £500,000; or

• established less than 2 years with funding in place and ambitious to grow

Please visit www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk/canterbury-business-growth-programme

Lockwood Building Projects

Surveying, planning, and supporting the renovation of commercial buildings. Consulting on regeneration for places to thrive and excite those who work and play in them.

After 25 years in the property sector and becoming an associate member of RICS, Adrian decided it was the right time to branch out and build his own company, Lockwood Building Projects (LBP).

Based in Folkestone, Adrian enjoys working with both local and national organisations, delivering a quality service with attention to detail and professionalism at the forefront.

Having worked on the Barbican refurbishment and a member of the core team that developed Centre of the Cell (the first science exhibition centre inside a working medical laboratory building), Adrian has extensive experience and knowledge of commercial buildings. And these commercial buildings also include schools, having been the Head of Estates at Folkestone’s Turner Schools Trust. Whether it is a condition survey, support with building control, or renovations, Adrian loves working with buildings.

Adrian has a particular passion for regeneration, having managed Folkestone’s Creative Quarter for seven years. Watching a building or a place come alive through investment and a sound business plan gives hope that other areas can benefit and grow. As one client said: “Adrian draws upon a wealth of diverse projects from his portfolio of achievements and applies this knowledge to new contexts with enthusiasm and skill.”

www.lockwoodbp.co.uk

Personal injury specialist shares top tips for motorists involved in collisions with foreign vehicles

A personal injury specialist law firm Furley Page has offered guidance to motorists involved in accidents or collisions with foreign HGV drivers, ahead of the start of the busy summer travel season.

With the Port of Dover processing up to 10,000 freight arrivals each day, motorists using Kent’s roads face higher rates of collision with both foreign and domestic HGVs due to high volumes of freight traffic in the area. Approximately 40% of all accidents involving an HGV occur in London and the South East, with Kent accounting for 25% of the HGV accidents in the South East*.

Neille Ryan, a Partner and Head of Personal Injury at Canterbury-based law firm Furley Page, said: “We get a lot of enquiries from people injured in road traffic accidents which occurred in this county but involve a foreign registered vehicle, and many people don’t know what to do if they are involved in a collision with a foreign vehicle.”

Neille’s top tips for motorists involved in an accident with a foreign registered vehicle:

• Get the name, address and telephone number of the foreign vehicle driver and, if different, the foreign vehicle owner.

Note that if a foreign registered lorry was involved, it is probably owned by a business owner/ company rather than the driver themselves, and you should try and record any company details and logos you note on the vehicle.

• Get the foreign vehicle insurer name and policy number – some foreign insurers provide their drivers with a green slip containing this information.

• Photograph all registration plates on the foreign vehicle. There are a lot of foreign lorries on our motorways and often the tractor and trailer units bear different registration numbers – you need both to be able to identify the insurer.

• Take photographs of the accident location and damage from different angles and distances – these will help us to work out and prove the accident circumstances.

• Try and make a note of the physical description of the driver and any passengers. Do try and note how many people were in the vehicle.

• Be aware that many foreign insurers advise their drivers not to speak to the other parties involved in the

accident afterwards. If needs be, wait for the police to arrive.

• Record contact details for any witnesses to the accident.

• If the police attend, ask for their reference number for the accident and if possible, make a note of the attending officer’s details (i.e. their badge number and the station they are based at).

Neille continued: “Dealing with claims involving a foreign registered vehicle or overseas insurance company can be more complicated, and engaging professional legal support can help to move the process forward. Please also be aware that in this country your claim has a limitation period of three years. The vast majority of our clients, including those with claims against foreign drivers, engage us on a ‘no win no fee basis’.”

For further information, please email: nr@furleypage.co.uk

* UK Government Road accidents and safety statistics: https://www.gov.uk/government/ collections/road-accidents-andsafety-statistics#statistical-data-sets

Azets appoints audit big-hitter from Down Under

Top 10 accountancy firm Azets has hired a hugely experienced new Audit & Assurance Partner as part of its continued strategic business growth.

Mark Bramley has joined after 15 years as a Partner at PwC in New Zealand and Europe.

Relocating to Europe with his family, Mark will be based in Maidstone and cover the London and South East region.

As a great addition to support Azets’ continued growth, Mark has extensive experience in strategic leadership roles, market development, building high performance teams and strategies for sustainable profitable growth. His experience includes working with clients in Europe, US, Asia and across Australasia.

Mark has enjoyed providing audit and assurance services across the full spectrum of clients, including listed corporates, public interest entities, global multinationals and privately owned companies.

He has assisted clients extensively across financial and non-financial areas, including financial assurance, data enabled audit, risk, governance and regulatory, cyber and digital solutions.

Rob Reynolds, Azets Regional Managing Partner for Kent, said:

“It is a real coup to appoint someone of Mark’s tremendous capability and he will help take our service offering to the next level.

“He has proven market development skills, evidenced on both growing and originating audit and assurance services for clients in Europe and New Zealand, as well as a demonstrated ability to operate internationally and build a successful, profitable audit business.

“Mark has worked on numerous complex engagements and transactions and brings highly effective communication skills and broad experience to ensure his clients receive proactive, timely and relevant advice.

“I am looking forward to working with him at Azets, developing

new business streams as well as working with our core SME clients across Kent.”

Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy and specialist business advisor to SMEs, has Kent offices in Maidstone, Ashford, Canterbury, Sandwich and Orpington.

Mark has significant financial and wider commercial expertise and has assisted clients across transformation areas with digital revenue and costs solutions, supply chain, and sustainability. He has led due diligence, capital raising and IPO listings in NZ, Australia, London, and US.

He said: “I am very much looking forward to joining the fantastic team at such a go-ahead firm as Azets. I enjoy working across a range of industries and am passionate about making a difference for our clients and our people.”

Outside of work, Mark enjoys spending time with his family, playing tennis, and travelling. www.azets.co.uk

Brachers and Crowe reveal role on DGA Group cross-border deal

Brachers and Crowe UK have advised DGA Group on its successful acquisition by Australian head-quartered TSA Management, coming hard on the heels of DGA’s acquisition of delay and planning consultancy Chronos in May 2023.

DGA is an international firm providing quantum and delay expert services and commercial and planning advisory support to the international construction industry in the UK, South Africa, Singapore and Australia. It is a perfect complement to TSA, a global, private equitybacked project management and advisory firm with offices in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.

The deal with TSA ensures continued growth for the DGA Group benefitting clients and allowing it to offer a broader array of services on future projects. As part of a wider TSA group, DGA will have access to additional resources as well as new areas of expertise to offer clients.

Brachers’ legal advisory team was led by James Bullock (Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial) with support from Corporate Solicitors Kieron Cummins and Joe Burrows. The Crowe UK team included Simon Warne (Tax Partner) and Emma Reynolds (Tax Director) advising on tax, alongside Geert Struyven (Partner) and Lewis Clarke (Director) advising on corporate finance aspects.

David Gibson, DGA Group CEO, said: “Thirty years ago (May 1993) I started DGA as a sole consultant with a plan to build a global

dispute resolution consultancy. I am extremely proud of what is now the DGA Group that has grown under the stewardship of a great Board of Directors into a mature and successful business with over 60 staff internationally.

The partnership with TSA is the next step in DGA’s corporate journey and I, the Board of Directors and the staff are excited to see what opportunities this new venture will bring.

The addition of DGA Group to TSA means we now have access to over 900 project experts globally and a broader array of services for our clients. We are grateful to the excellent work of our lawyers, Brachers LLP and our accountants, Crowe UK LLP, in advising the DGA Group on this cross-border eal.”

James Bullock, Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial at Brachers, said: “David has devoted decades to growing a thriving construction consultancy and I’m excited to see DGA flourish as part of the global TSA group. It’s been a pleasure to work with David and the DGA team, our friends at Crowe and law firms in Australia, South Africa and Singapore on this truly international and complex deal.”

Geert Struyven, Partner at Crowe, added: “I enjoyed working with our long-standing client DGA and their excellent management team, which includes one of my ex colleagues, as well as their other advisors, legal firm Brachers. This was a truly cross-border transaction, with DGA having various overseas operations and international business TSA being headquartered in Australia.”

Leading with social and ethical values

Tabitha Fox, the Managing Director of Not Another Marketing Agency, stands proud by her social and ethical values. Having been a member of the Good Business Charter for 2 years, she demonstrates an unwavering commitment to social responsibility and consistently upholds her principles in every aspect of her work.

Tabitha fosters a working environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and empathy, resulting in improved outcomes for clients and the community alike. By instilling these values into the agency’s culture, she ensures that every project undertaken by Not Another Marketing Agency reflects a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of both clients and society.

Recognising the importance of giving back, Tabitha actively involves the agency in endeavours that support local charities, community organisations and small businesses. This ongoing commitment to making a positive impact on society resonates deeply throughout

How to put your best brand forward at live events

This edition of Thinking Business coincides with the run up to Kent Construction Expo. Which has got us revelling in that different kind of energy that live events bring to your brand. Here at Oak Creative, we believe that live events have such a strong presence and place in the marketing mix. Love them or hate them, there’s nothing quite like a trade show or industry exhibition as an opportunity to showcase your brand! Here’s how to make the most of it:

Planning - preparation is key to event success. Be sure to have a clear goal in mind for the event so your planning can lead you towards that goal. Create handouts, competitions, videos and exhibition graphics in advance, ensuring they fit with your event goal.

Communications - make sure you’re clear on what you want to communicate about your brand. Create a communications plan specifically for the event to engage with various audiences before, during and after the event. Importantly, be clear about what key messages you want to communicate.

Not Another Marketing Agency, and they regularly contribute to causes that address pressing social challenges. Indeed, Tabitha is looking forward to soon announcing the agency’s next CSR partner.

Tabitha’s leadership has driven the agency to engage in various initiatives and practices that prioritise the well-being of society and the environment. Serving as a Non-Executive Director of a Kent-based Community Interest Company and an Enterprise Adviser for The Careers and Enterprise Company, Tabitha exemplifies her commitment to corporate social responsibility by actively collaborating with organisations that promote social and economic development.

Furthermore, Tabitha leads with her social and ethical values and places great emphasis on implementing sustainable business practices within Not Another Marketing Agency.

For more information visit: notanothermarketingagency.co.uk

Strategy - what’s your strategy at the event? It might be to promote a new product or service or to gather as much data as possible. Quality versus quantity is often the best metric. It could be more worthwhile to have the email addresses of 10 genuinely warm leads following an insightful conversation, rather than 100 email addresses of people you didn’t speak to?

Production - make sure your event stand and any event materials are professionally designed and printed. Exhibition panels usually require large format printing. Remember that these graphics can be re-used for future events or even on display in your office, meeting room or foyer. Don’t let them gather dust in a cupboard!

Be yourself - live events lend themselves to building relationships. Whilst you are there to represent your brand, many people will remember individuals due to the power of a genuine conversation.

local

We value people and have network of clients and

We deliver creative know-how brand building expertise

Could you help save a dog’s life?

Shepherd Neame raises £30,000 for its Charity of the Year Kent Wildlife Trust

Faversham-based brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame has raised £30,000 for its Charity of the Year, Kent Wildlife Trust.

Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) is the county’s leading conservation charity. KWT manages more than 90 nature reserves across Kent, ensuring the landscape is protected and enhanced for wildlife. Shepherd Neame chose KWT as its Charity of the Year at the start of 2022, and fundraising activities by team members at.

As members of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Fetcher Dog Rescue Centre were very pleased that the Chamber Chief Executive, Jo James OBE and Damian Green the MP for Ashford, took time out of their busy schedules to talk to us about our charity, meet some of our dogs and help answer some of our questions.

During their visit we talked about the charity, they met the founders Jordan and Stephanie, found out about their journey with street dogs, and of course, they met some of our dogs, Maya, Banjo and Jerry.

Thousands of dogs are born on the streets of Bosnia every year, condemned to face cruel acts by locals, starvation, disease, and brutal and inhumane deaths. The dogs are rounded up by dog catchers and often placed into kill shelters that provide no care, food, or comfort, with many starving to death or dying of exposure.

Fetcher Dog aims to rescue as many of these dogs as possible and find forever homes for these dogs in the U.K. These dogs have been through so much that they desperately deserve wonderful families, we aim to pair all our dogs with the best forever homes that we can find.

We don’t just look to support dogs in Bosnia, we also provide support to dogs here in Kent that for numerous reasons, need to be rehomed.

As a Charity, it is getting more and more difficult to ensure we have the funds to continue with this much needed work. It is through the generosity of others, that we can continue to move forward.

It was very apparent on their visit, that Jo is a great dog lover and she told us that ‘it was more like a special treat, rather than a work visit’.

As a member of the Chamber, we have found the Chamber team to be a wonderful source of information, the networking events, both online and in person, have provided a platform for the charity to reach a considerable audience.

They have been extremely helpful, professional, and friendly to Fetcher Dog over the last six months and thanks to them we have made many connections, some collaborations and even friends.

If you would like to find out more about the work of Fetcher Dog visit our website: www.fetcherdog.com

Shepherd Neame Chief Executive Jonathan Neame marked the end of the partnership by presenting a cheque to KWT’s Chief Executive Evan Bowen-Jones on Friday June 23. They met at Oare Marshes Nature Reserve as the funds raised by Shepherd Neame during the past year are being put towards a new green energy project at the site.

Jonathan Neame said: “We have really enjoyed partnering with Kent Wildlife Trust during the past year to help raise awareness of their fantastic work to protect and improve habitats in the countryside, coast and town for the benefit of the wildlife and people of Kent. We are incredibly proud to present them with this donation, which is going towards a fantastic project just a stone’s throw from our

brewery. I would like to thank the many customers and team members who have supported our fundraising efforts during the past year.”

Kent Wildlife Trust’s Director of Fundraising, Marcoms, and Advocacy, Tamarin Ward said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Shepherd Neame and their amazing efforts which will help us deliver a Wilder Kent.”

For more information about the Kent Wildlife Trust visit www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

Find out more about Sheps Giving at www.shepherdneame.co.uk/sheps-giving

Kim Webster, Youth Executive, Kenward Trust, continues outreach work thanks to Sevenoaks District Council support

people, under the wing of her colleague, Andy Watson, doing outreach work in various hangout areas of Sevenoaks.

Mum-of-two Kim Webster, Youth Executive at Kenward Trust, lost one of her sons William, five years ago. Canterbury College student William Horley, aged just 17, died after he took the painkiller Tramadol and fell unconscious, before being rushed to hospital where, tragically, he couldn’t be revived.

Kim has made it her ambition to make a difference, helping other young people understand the dangers and implications of addiction, vaping, taking drugs and alcohol through Kenward Trust’s intervention and education programmes in schools. Since the tragedy, Kim has spoken to over 25,000 teenagers about what happens when someone you love dies and the decisions a parent must make as a consequence.

Now with funding from Sevenoaks District Council, Kim has been able to talk to young

Kim relayed an example of one of her outreach visits: “Andy and I went into Sevenoaks to see if there were any groups of young people hanging around some of the well-known areas that they gather. We started at the Vine Cricket ground and spoke to two 14-year-old girls and a couple of 16-year-old boys who were at the cricket club green. We talked about anti-social behaviour in the area, life pressures and the dangers of vaping, smoking, dangerous areas and drugs.”

The pair then drove to Greatness Skate Park and spoke to seven young people about vaping and staying safe, some of whom remembered Andy visiting their school last year.

Kim adds: “It is a privilege to join the team at Kenward Trust and continue to help make a difference. It has become a passion of mine to educate our young people since losing Will.

“Will was a typical teenager but he was naive, curious and uneducated in the dangers of drug use, just like all our children. If I can help save lives by sharing my journey and asking them to learn from Will’s mistake, then it is something I will continue to do in his memory.”

If you are a school in Kent, and would like to book Kenward’s Youth Team’s invaluable talk and for more information, visit: https://kenwardtrust.org.uk/services/youth-work

New Corporate Partnerships Team at ellenor

Avondale - keeping highways and railways safe

ellenor hospice is pleased to announce the creation of their new Corporate Partnerships Team.

This newly formed team, is led by Jemma Kemp – Corporate Partnerships Manager, supported by Leah Saunders – Senior Corporate Partnerships Officer. Jemma and Leah have been a part of the team at ellenor for five years. Between them, they have worked across all areas of fundraising.

As part of the organisational strategy, this team has been put in place to both nurture existing business partnerships and encourage the growth of new ones. With ‘Partnerships with Purpose’ as their core focus. The small team are determined that relationships are purposeful and beneficial for both the supporter and the charity.

Jemma said “Both Leah and I are fiercely passionate about what we do. We are both local and have had our own experiences with the exceptional care that the hospice provides. We are excited to bring this passion to our business supporters through the development of purposeful partnerships. We are committed to ensuring that supporting ellenor is straightforward, sustainable, and successful for both the business and ellenor. We’ve been working hard on implementing this through the provision of additional resources for our supporters as well as focusing on ensuring we have an array of volunteering and engagement opportunities available.”

Jemma and Leah will be attending the Kent Construction Expo in October. For further information visit: ellenor.org

Supporting businesses to develop and upskill their workforce

Canterbury Christchurch University wants to help and support businesses develop and upskill their existing staff with little or no monetary impact on their organisation in these challenging times. CCCU delivers two Business School Degree Apprenticeships co-designed by employers aimed at upskilling a business’s current workforce in management and leadership.

The Chartered Managers Degree Apprenticeship offers those new to management or those who want to progress into management, the chance to hone their leadership skills and with study and projects focused on the business they work for; a win win for both employer and employee. The higher-level Senior Leaders programme is for those established in their management role but want to develop their knowledge and understanding and build on their command of

leadership for further career progression. Again, much of the learning focuses on the business that the employee works for, so the learner can start bringing additional knowledge and ideas to the business almost immediately.

SMEs receive 95% of the cost of these two apprenticeships funded by the government, whilst there is also an opportunity to get 100% of the cost covered with a levy transfer (which we can help and advise you on). Levy paying businesses can use the funds to cover the full cost of the programme.

To find out more about how apprenticeships work and what we offer at CCCU, please visit: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/ apprenticeships/current-apprenticeships

The next cohort of Business Degree Apprenticeships start in September.

If you’re driving around Medway, through a motorway tunnel, travelling via train or walking along footpaths in Canterbury, Thanet or Tonbridge this summer, the chances are, that your safety is partly in the hands of Avondale Environmental Services.

The Chatham-based vegetation specialists are working with highways, railways and local authorities to clear their roads, rails and footpaths making them safe for transport and enjoyable for walkers.

They’re the sort of company that doesn’t rest on their laurels, sit still or think the job’s done – at the helm, is Andy Back, an lifelong engineer with a keen eye on innovation.

Using specialist Uni Mog plant machinery, Avondale operatives are working more quickly and efficiently, whilst maintaining high standards, because Andy has designed the machines for the jobs. He’s thought about what could be better, what holds work up, what jobs can be done simultaneously, and has created customised machinery, able to offer their clients savings in time, cost and huge reliability, capability, capacity and quality.

He said: “Technology allows us to continually think of better ways to do things. Just because it’s always been done that way doesn’t make it the best way and we like to innovate, improve and change, to make use of the technology but also move things forward.

“Safety and quality are never, ever, compromised –our staff come in every day and we send them home every day, but they’ve done a day’s work that has been more productive and efficient.

The company is holding a demo day on Thursday 20th September aimed at contractors to visit, see what they can do and see the machinery in action.

Register your interest by emailing Sarah Back: sarah.back@avondaleuk.com avondaleuk.com

Rising energy costs leading to switch to renewables

With rising energy costs and sustainability at the forefront of the business psyche, renewable energy is experiencing its own power surge. Convert Energy Directors David Browne and Ben Glancy talk to Sarah Dale.

David Browne and Ben Glancy launched their own business, Convert Energy, in 2016.

Both have backgrounds in leadership roles in the renewable energy sector and spotted a gap in the market to be “more tech-focused than sales driven” and have gone from strength to strength. The award-winning, independent firm has designed, supplied, and deployed over 10 megawatts of solar in the last two years, ranging from local domestic projects to public sector, utility scale power plants. They provide everything from a free initial desktop survey with an estimate of costs, right up to a fully integrated system design, and project delivery. They offer a range of technologies including solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, PV-T (hybrid solar), heat pumps and battery systems, and can advise on anything from small domestic renewable energy systems to large complex proposals for public and private sector clients.

L-R Ben Glancy and David Browne

David and Ben, who are members of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, began their business at Canterbury Innovation Centre at the University of Kent, but having outgrown the original office, are now based at Barton Business Park, in Canterbury.

Discussing Convert Energy’s approach, co-director Ben said: “We are more tech-focused than sales-driven. We carry out a lot of consultancy work and have built a name for ourselves.

“Three years ago, our small domestic work led to light commercial projects then local council and big public sector contracts.

“Our clients are based all over the country, and we’ve carried out projects on important buildings such as the British Library and the University of Westminster.”

Convert Energy’s 10-strong design team is supported by an in-house installation team and a national contractor workforce. With much of their focus on local projects such as Herne Bay Pier, completed in 2021 (featured above).

David said: “We are always looking for new designers to offer high quality services and help us drive more business in Kent.”

The significant increase in energy bills has led to a power surge at Convert Energy.

“With rising energy costs,” said Ben, “we’ve seen an uptick in businesses coming to us, to tackle increasing operational costs. In this climate, renewable energy, in particular solar power, is an attractive solution.”

“Our approach is to provide a service that’s consultancy led. We find out exactly what our clients need by gathering as much information and energy usage data from them as possible. We then provide a free proposal, consisting of practical, sustainable solutions, tailored to their needs and budget.

“We don’t take a sales approach, that’s not our style, and clients appreciate this and find our ethos refreshing and reassuring.”

David added: “The way we work with clients is important, as most of our work comes through referrals from existing customers, we want to encourage this to continue.”

David and Ben joined Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce shortly after they launched their business. Their first award was presented to them by the Chamber about five years agoMost Promising New Business.

Ben said: “We’ve received a lot of support from the Chamber, and we work with several companies who are also members.

“As far as possible, we aim to use local businesses and be available to them. Our membership of the local Chamber is important to us; it’s a great referral scheme.”

David added: “It’s very beneficial, from the networking perspective. If you’re looking for a good, local company, it’s great to be able to ask other members about them.”

When speaking of the challenges they face, staffing, say the directors, is the biggest.

David said: “You must get your staffing right. Finding the right people is key. They need to be self-motivated and have a good work ethic.

“When starting out in business, it’s important to make sure those first hires are right, as they’re going to form the foundation of your workforce.”

Ben added: “People are more important than qualifications, as you can retrain the right candidate. It’s costly in terms of time and money, to take people on and retrain them but it’s worth that investment to build a strong team.”

“We are in talks with a local college to add a course related to renewable energy. We set a final dissertation topic for physics graduates at the University of Kent, and it’s proved a popular topic.”

Born and bred in Kent, the company directors are proud of where they live and work.

David said: “I think Kent has a lot to offer, towns and villages that are great places to live, good transport links and an attractive

coastline. Being based in a socially vibrant and appealing county like Kent is important when attracting new talent.

“In terms of doing business, I think the Southeast is ideal. We have good links within Kent, and with Surrey, Essex and London. It’s a big market and a densely populated area.”

Ben added: “We love Kent. It’s where we’re from and we want to do more for our local area. It’s been a blast working on the big, national projects, but we’d like to do more on our own doorstep.”

Summing up Convert Energy’s approach, Ben said: “Running any business is hard work without the added pressure to reduce carbon emissions and accommodate the rising cost of energy. If we are to meet our climate goals, expert advice on how to tackle these issues should be made available to business owners.

“Furthermore, this impartial support should be offered freely, with no obligation, and any recommendations should focus on what is best for the business owner, not the company providing the advice. We encourage any businesses to get in touch to discuss how we can help.”

❛❛

As far as possible, we aim to use local businesses and be available to them. Our membership of the local Chamber is important to us; it’s a great referral scheme.❜❜

Why should I trust my cleaning company?

Hiring a cleaner you can trust to look after your premises, and provide a clean, hygienic environment for staff is vital. Here are the signs that your cleaner is trustworthy:

1. Well-trained staff

Training and reward schemes help create a highly skilled, loyal workforce, that takes pride in its work.

Our hands-on management ensures staff have regular support. We also offer seasonal perks, private healthcare, and counselling if needed, and pay National Minimum Wage or above.

2. Cleaners are vetted

A comprehensive interview process, as well as identity and reference checks are essential. Staff working within a school or care home will have criminal record checks, as required by law. Staff without a British passport will have a Right To Work check.

3. Accreditations and memberships

Certification and membership of professional bodies demonstrates a company adheres to current regulations and codes of conduct.

For example, we are ISO9001 certified, a member of The British Institute of Cleaning Science, and SafeContractor certified.

4. Insurance

A responsible cleaning company will be fully covered; staff and property are protected should the unexpected happen.

We are insured to £10 million, in line with local authority and government organisation requirements.

5. Reviews

A high number of negative reviews or equally, none at all, should ring alarm bells. Also look at past clients; have they had big contracts, with well-known names? Similarly, lengthy or renewed contracts indicate that clients are happy with their work.

If you’re looking for trusted, professional cleaners, get in touch: calibrecleaning.co.uk

Kent Community Foundation Awards £4.5 Million to Good Causes

Last year, Kent Community Foundation awarded just over £4.5 million to over 700 community groups across Kent and Medway Based in Ashford, experienced grant makers Kent Community Foundation has announced that in the financial year ended April 2023, it awarded just over £4.5 million in more than 880 grants, to over 700 grassroots organisations working across the county. This brings their financial support for community groups, CICs and charities to almost £60 million over the last 21 years.

Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation, said: “Last year, the team processed over 1,000 applications and we were delighted to award over £4.5 million to projects which supported our five funding priorities: children, young people and families, elderly and isolated adults, vulnerable adults, the environment and employability, skills and enterprise. We are thrilled that not only were the number of grants up on the previous financial year but the number of individual organisations who received funding was up by 30 per cent.

“It has been a very challenging time for charities across the county. Dramatic price rises for gas, electricity and rent, combined with rising salaries are leading to increased running costs

for everyone. This, along with a higher demand for their support, as statutory services are cut, and reduced overall income as the cost-of-living crisis affects the amount that is being donated, means things are tough for the voluntary sector. It is also worrying to see many much-needed charities being forced to close their doors and the number of volunteers falling, because it is costing them too much to offer their time.

“However, we know how resilient the sector can be and against this difficult background it is inspiring to see that some charities, including Abigail’s Footsteps, Curly’s Legacy, Bechange, The Young Lives Foundation and The Hygiene Bank continue to move forward, while others are combining resources to support each other and work collaboratively to fill the gaps in service delivery to their beneficiaries.

“We must of course thank our generous Fund Holders for making a difference to the lives of people, families and children across the county. This year, we hope to announce additional funding from Kent based philanthropists motivated to use our experience to professionally distribute their donations to deserving grassroots causes.”

To contact Kent Community Foundation visit www.kentcf.org.uk/funding

6 Reasons why Quality Branding costs more than £100

The experienced team at Howell & Hicks Creative understand that quality branding can deliver long-term business benefits like brand recognition, customer loyalty, and increased revenue.

And by contrast, we know that inferior marketing materials can damage a company’s reputation and hinder its future growth.

With more free and cheap ‘design’ applications appearing every day… here’s 6 REASONS why quality branding and design typically costs more than £100…

1. A good designer takes the time to discuss and understand the brief. That way, they know any concepts will meet the client’s needs and business vision.

2. Before starting work on creative concepts, professional designers spend extra time researching the industry sector to make

sure their ideas represent their client and elevate them above their competitors.

3. A professional designer’s training gives them a thorough understanding of design principles, colour theory, typography, and visual hierarchyall of which are then applied to their designs.

4. Even the greatest logo concept usually needs some refinement - extra effort and time to deliver the perfect result.

5. As well as coming up with brilliant, original ideas, professional designers also check all their designs are versatile, scalable, and recognisable across various mediums (print, web, social media etc.)

6. Whatever the project or process, quality design takes a rare and vital mix of skill, creativity and precision - factors that a £100 budget can rarely compensate for.

To talk to us about your next creative project, visit www.hh-creative.com

£460,000 awarded to eight good causes in Kent

Kent Community Foundation awards £4.5 million to 700 groups in last year

Kent Community Foundation has awarded eight organisations a share of almost £460,000 from its Kent County Council-funded Infrastructure Support Fund.

The Infrastructure Support Fund opened in March with £600,000 from Kent County Council to support charities, community groups and CICs with existing, dormant or new infrastructure projects.

The first awards totalling almost £460,000 have been awarded to: Council for Voluntary Service North West Kent, Funding for All, Imago Community, Social Enterprise Kent, Stronger Kent Communities, West Kent Mind, Charity Mentors Kent and Medway and CAP Enterprise Kent. This means that in the financial year ended April 2023, the Ashford-based grant makers have awarded just over £4.5 million in more than 880 grants to over 700 grassroots organisations working across the county. This brings their financial support for community groups, CIC’s and charities to almost £60 million over the last 21 years.

The funding will be allocated in two equal payments, the first in June and the second tranche of funding will be

allocated in March 2024, allowing the organisations the financial security to forward plan.

Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services Mike Hill said: “This support will allow organisations to evolve and adapt, enabling them to develop fundraising skills and strategy and financial resilience. They can also access training on governance and policy, mentoring schemes, leadership programmes and vital peer support networks. They will be able to tackle recruitment and retention, serving to strengthen the impact of the voluntary sector in the county.”

Nick Marden, Chairman, Charity Mentors Kent and Medway, said: “This award will enable us, not only to focus on our core activity of providing free strategic leadership mentoring to charities and social organisations in Kent, but also to increase our resources so we can reach out and provide our services to a greater number, and in more communities, than before.”

Reflecting on awarding over £4.5 million to groups across the county, Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive, Kent Community

Foundation, said: “Last year, the team processed over 1,000 applications and were delighted to award over £4.5 million to projects which supported our five funding priorities: children, young people and families, elderly and isolated adults, vulnerable adults, the environment and employability, skills and enterprise. We are thrilled that not only were the number of grants up on the previous financial year but the number of individual organisations who received funding was up by 30%.

“It has been a very challenging time for charities across the county. However, we know how resilient the sector can be and against this difficult background it is inspiring to see that some charities, including Abigail’s Footsteps, Curly’s Legacy, Bechange, The Young Lives Foundation and The Hygiene Bank continue to move forward, while others are combining resources to support each other and work collaboratively to fill the gaps in service delivery to their beneficiaries.”

To contact Kent Community Foundation about funding for charities and community groups, visit: www.kentcf.org.uk/funding

Winners announced at gala evening for East Kent Apprenticeship Awards 2023

The winners of the fifth East Kent Apprenticeship Awards 2023 have been revealed. The Awards are open to all apprentices, businesses and public sector organisations across Ashford, Canterbury, Folkestone & Hythe, Dover, Swale and Thanet.

Paul Sayers, Chief Information and Strategy Officer at EKC Group, which hosted the gala awards dinner held at The Yarrow, Broadstairs, on Wednesday, 21 June, said:

“Congratulations to all the finalists for their success in this year’s East Kent Apprenticeship Awards.”

“For the past five years this event has showcased the real difference apprenticeships can make, providing the inspiration we hope for others to follow, and the belief that they can do this too and achieve anything.”

“I’m delighted that more and more young people both here in East Kent

Wellbeing Training Solutions has tools to upskill staff to be happier and healthier

Wellbeing Training Solutions has been providing training services for businesses since 2016. Clients range from SMEs to the public sector, and national and international businesses such as Marston’s and National Grid.

Most people have never been taught about mindset or coping strategies. This has left many struggling to manage the demands of the modern world. For employers, upskilling their people with essential life skills can be transformative. Happier, healthier staff simply make good business sense. Wellbeing often begins with leadership teams. Courses on how to lead for wellbeing, and creating a psychologically safe working environment, can be a great place to start a wellbeing at work journey. Leaders can begin to develop a common understanding, vocabulary and shared vision of what a great workplace can look like, and ultimately benefit from the improved recruitment, retention and absence rates which result.

and across the region are benefitting from the invaluable job experience and life skills that apprenticeships bring. The stories heard tonight have certainly confirmed that.”

“None of this would be possible without the support of the commercial and private sectors, and it’s heartening to see how the importance organisations of all shapes and sizes are placing in apprenticeships has continued to go from strength to strength.”

“Building those relationships is key to vocational training, to give young people, those returning to the workplace or choosing a new

career path every opportunity to achieving those goals.”

A number of individuals and businesses were recognised for the support they give to apprentices, including Angela Gardiner from Kent construction firm, WW Martin who won the EKAA Apprenticeship Champion Award and Tribeca Technology Group, EKAA winner in the Private Sector business of the Year category.

The event, which will return in 2024, is organised by Kent marketing agency, Pillory Barn and sponsored by Chartway Group, Quinn Estates, Locate in Kent, Otterpool Park and EPS Logistics.

When taking the agenda further, topics available for all levels include resilience, coping with change, uncertainty, communication skills, anxiety, emotional intelligence, perfectionism, procrastination and performance, health hacks, and so much more. Imagine a life lacking in these skills and you can imagine a life of unnecessary struggle. That is where many people find themselves but upskilling and changing attitudes is possible.

Wellbeing Training Solutions endeavours to leave every group informed, motivated and inspired to take their learning back to the workplace, and ultimately, to bring individuals and organisations closer to their goals. And feedback suggests that goal is consistently achieved.

wellbeingts.co.uk

Brachers strengthens its full-service offering with two new partner hires

Dan previously trained with Brachers, qualifying into the corporate law team, before joining a London firm where he honed his experience in M&A work and notably acted on transactions for private equity houses. He will be based at the firm’s Maidstone headquarters.

These new hires are testament to Brachers’ commitment to strengthening its full-service capabilities and to delivering excellence to clients across the South East region and further afield.

Brachers law firm has bolstered its full-service offering with the appointment of two new Partners.

The firm, based in Canterbury and Maidstone, welcomes Joshua Williams to its award-winning Private Client team, while Dan King joins the highly acclaimed Corporate and Commercial team.

Joshua brings with him over 14 years of experience advising private clients on a broad range of matters including wills, probate, wealth planning and estate administration.

Dan King, Partner (Corporate), commented: “I am delighted to return to Brachers as a Corporate Partner. The team has gone from strength to strength, winning multiple awards for dealmaking and forging long-lasting relationships with clients.”

James Bullock, Head of Brachers’ Corporate and Commercial team, said: “It’s a real pleasure to welcome Dan back into the Brachers family. He is an outstanding Corporate Lawyer whose expertise and client care are renowned within the field. Our clients will benefit from Dan’s vast experience across all transaction types from M&A, management

buyouts (MBOs) and private equity deals, to joint ventures, shareholder arrangements and restructuring. He is a real asset to the team.”

On Joshua’s appointment, Christopher Eriksson-Lee, Head of Private Client, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Josh who has built up a tremendous reputation in East Kent. Josh is highly regarded for his personable approach while offering clients pragmatic advice that best meets their interests and objectives. He is a fantastic addition to Brachers.”

Joshua Williams, Partner, said: “Brachers has an outstanding reputation for its private client practice – and in particular its private wealth offering – being ranked in the top tier of the Legal 500 directory and highly rated in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide for private wealth law. I look forward to developing our private client offering and serving clients from across the county and beyond.”

Dan King joins Brachers from BDB Pitmans, while Joshua Williams joins from Furley Page.

Bright sparks, Leiach Electrical Contractors Ltd believe in giving back to the community

Leiach Electrical Contractors Ltd was created in October 2012 by good friends Nathan Leigh and Benjamin Achampong, both aspiring Electricians who wanted to achieve great things in the electrical industry.

Over the years they have steadily worked Leiach up the ranks to become market leaders in the electrical industry and constantly raise the bar and set new standards. Covering a wide area across London, Kent, and the Southeast, Leiach have worked with many prestigious clients including HSBC Bank in Canary Wharf, NatWest Bank in Westminster, and Whole Foods Richmond, to name a few.

With the steady growth over the years and regularly gaining new clients, Leiach has also worked with insurance companies, financial institutions, legal and accountancy sectors, multiple council boroughs and major pharmaceutical companies.

At Leiach, we understand and acknowledge the requirements of the industry regulations and understand

Boxable thinks outside the box for packaging solutions

A new eCommerce printed packaging platform has been launched in Kent to cater for the cottage industry, sole traders and small businesses who require short runs of personalised and bespoke product and gift packaging for their products.

Aptly named, Boxable.co.uk is designed to be an easy-to-use platform to select the right printed packaging solution for its intended use, whilst offering the flexibility to design, order, and pay from wherever and whenever you want. The service directs you to enter the size and weight of your product before presenting you with a range of solutions to fit your product. Research indicated that this would be a useful tool for users to ensure heavier products are not at risk of falling through the packaging and becoming damaged.

the legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. We are therefore proud to be NICEIC registered and ensure all employees are City and Guilds qualified.

We are also committed to reducing our carbon footprint and working towards more environmentally friendly ways to deliver our services in a safe and sustainable way.

We ensure that our vehicles and equipment used are well maintained, clean and are always operated within the legal limits, taking advantage, wherever possible, of engineering modifications to reduce pollution and emissions and to save unnecessary consumption.

We consistently engage with authorities, clients, and our supply chain to promote the use of recyclable and reusable materials. We also encourage close liaison with the enforcing authorities, such as the Environment Agency and local authorities.

Throughout the year, we also sponsor a homeless charity called Hungry Hearts. The volunteers supply food,

clothes, and help getting people back on their feet. Both Nathan and Ben believe using their business to help others is very important; at Leiach, we are a family and pride ourselves on giving back to the community, especially to those most in need.

At Leiach Electrical Contractors Ltd, we value our clients and adopt a partnering approach to achieve repeat business and ensure that a mutually beneficial relationship is maintained.

We ensure full turnkey solutions from concept to completion in all sectors, Ben and Nathan manage the entire process from start to finish and are always on hand and happy to help with everything in between.

At Leiach Electrical Contractors Ltd, we always aim to provide the highest quality installation working efficiently, with a friendly manner, hitting deadlines and staying on budget.

Our ethos at Leiach Electrical Contractors Ltd is one of research, development, design, value, engineering, and delivery. leiach.co.uk

The Boxable website launched in early summer 2023 and the Boxable team is continuously developing the site with new products. Customer feedback provides the opportunity to develop a completely customer-focused platform that’s the easiest to use and go-to solution for bespoke online packaging for small businesses.

Boxable Ltd (boxable.co.uk) joins Delga Press Ltd, Delga Labels Ltd, CSP Ltd, and Scarbutts Printers as a part of The Meliora Group, who are Chamber members, and is located at the Rochester manufacturing site alongside established packaging business Delga Press.

The Meliora Group of print companies offer carton board packaging, commercial print, and printed labels to larger businesses. Boxable has been developed to cater for users who do not need or require the support of an account manager through the Group’s traditional business model, although expert support will always be available should users require it.

To find our more, visit: boxable.co.uk

L-R: Dan King, Partner (Corporate and Commercial), Joshua Williams, Partner (Private Client).

BREAK NEW GROUND WITH YOUR BUSINESS

Across East Kent Colleges Group, thousands of highly skilled young construction workers are setting out on their new careers every year.

As a construction business in Kent, you can engage with the Group’s Ofsted-Outstanding Colleges right now to ensure you have ambitious workers onsite who will be welltrained in modern techniques.

East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) boasts four centres for Construction training at Broadstairs, Canterbury, Folkestone and Sheerness, with each offering a variety of disciplines. As well as these, the Group runs a Plumbing and Electrical Training Centre in Ashford and a Civil Engineering Training Centre in Hersden.

Through these, cohorts of budding carpenters, joiners, bricklayers, and painter-decorators gain the skills needed to enter the onsite workforce. What’s more, these facilities are open to your existing employees through apprenticeships and short training courses.

EKC Group is committed to upskilling businesses in the region and, as part of this commitment, new investment has been injected into state-of-the-art facilities designed with employers in mind. Chief among these was the recent launch of three high-tech centres aimed at enhancing Engineering and sustainable manufacturing across Kent.

Based at Ashford College, Canterbury College, and Dover Technical College, these specialist facilities are filled with the latest technologies and available for use by businesses looking to get to grips with emerging technologies such as robotics, automation systems, and tooling machines which could benefit their business.

These cutting-edge centres are also available to EKC Group students, meaning they will serve as excellent employees who could pioneer company-wide innovations as well as advise on potential technological solutions.

Through the Group’s existing construction training facilities, businesses can use apprenticeships to upskill existing staff across a wide range of equipment and disciplines. Not only will employees attain more qualifications, they will also feel more confident at work and more valued by their employer.

Students also come with a wealth of experience in the practical application of their skills in live commercial environments; a fact that has been enhanced by the work placement-centred T Level qualification being rolled out across the country that sees learners engage in a lengthy block placement with an employer. EKC Group’s strong industry links placed it among the providers to take part in the Department for Education’s T Level pilot scheme.

This employer engagement has enabled students to take part in external briefs, which learners complete as part of their curriculum. One major recent example has seen the installation of Japanese Torii gates at a park near Folkestone College, part of a makeover

in partnership with Folkestone and Hythe District Council which will allow all the College’s construction disciplines to work as a team, as they would on a real-life construction site.

This trust in EKC Group has led top construction companies including Jenner Group and Otterpool Park to sign Memoranda of Understanding with the organisation, solidifying its commitment to working with the industry to develop the skills needed to keep Kent continuing to flourish and grow.

Encapsulated in this mission is the Group’s encouragement to employers to get involved in crafting curriculum, ensuring students leave College with all the skills needed by construction companies today. This is essential in creating strong, confident employees who can seamlessly enter the workforce upon graduation, bringing a wealth of talent and knowledge with them.

If you would like to upskill your workforce, train on cutting-edge equipment, take on an apprentice or find your next top employee, search ekcgroup.ac.uk today.

Did you know there’s a way you can grow and enhance your construction business today?

BUILD YOUR BUSINESS’ FOUNDATIONS

At East Kent Colleges Group, we’re here to train the next generation of skilled construction workers and help you build an effective workforce.

Upskill your current staff

Through apprenticeships, part-time programmes and recognised qualification training, you can ensure your team is constantly developing and learning the latest skills in your industry. These are designed to fit around work schedules, meaning anyone can benefit from these options.

Find your next employee

Our students progress from our colleges with training that uses industrystandard equipment, techniques, and theory, allowing them to seamlessly enter your company. Rather than studying a range of subjects, our learners are focused on just one subject at a time. This ensures students come with a dedication to their craft and are committed to pursuing their chosen field as a career.

Shape the next generation of workers

By offering placements, either as work experience or as part of a T Level or Apprenticeship, you will put your company at the forefront of future construction workers’ minds and create a strong talent pipeline into your business. For wider impact on the future of Kent’s construction sector, we also encourage employers to help craft curriculums across our departments to instil skills needed by the industry today.

MARKETING AGENCY CONSTRUCTION.

Using a generic marketing agency is like asking your GP to perform brain surgery. You just wouldn’t. thedigitallookout.co.uk

Why does the construction industry not get the credit it deserves?

Connor Styche,

We’re talking perception here though, not reality.

In reality, construction is one of the toughest industries in the world right now. There’s so much pressure to perform, and not just to industry standards we’ve been working to improve on over our whole careers, but new standards, new regulations, and new targets being imposed, year after year.

Not wanting to complain (much) but in fact, in the main, the industry is rising to every challenge it’s faced within terms of standards and regulations; net zero targets, the golden thread, new housing targets, designing to a changing climate, the list goes on. Not to mention client requirements and design trends.

So why is the perception of the industry so negative?

We need to consider how it’s promoted. The press is filled with announcements about construction - mostly new developments receiving planning permission - but also, new structure and buildings being opened for use. But not so much is written about what happens in between. Why? Because we don’t share when things go wrong, that’s why.

It’s an undeniable fact that no construction project or development is completely smooth running. With the huge undertaking that is producing a new building or structure, something will always happen to defer us from our best laid plans.

It’s also a fact that in construction, with so many variables out of our control, it’s nigh-on impossible to stick to schedule and to budget. So why do we pretend things are smooth running when they’re not? Why not share the challenges we face? When more often than not those challenges are overcome without proportional impact, it’s an opportunity wasted to not talk about them.

Why do so many only think of hard hats and muddy boots? Because that’s all they see when they walk past a construction site. We can’t expect anyone to appreciate what goes on in construction if we don’t talk about it outside of our individual businesses.

The creation of new buildings and structures is fascinating and inspirational, but the information those delivering

the projects hold, with regard to the construction phase and its challenges, is sparsely shared. We should be riding high on the amount of innovation and developments there are in construction. There are infinite opportunities for us to promote the way in which we overcome challenges, collaborate as teams and achieve amazing feats.

Why not promote our knowledge and our experiences more freely?

No two construction projects are the same, but once the building is handed over, and we share the completed project photos, no-one can see what material the frame is made of, let alone what efforts went into making the ground structurally sound before it went up. How has the building been made to accommodate specific requirements - acoustically, sustainably, thermally?

There’s a lack of good marketing of the industry as a whole, but we can all do our bit to change that. It’s not just on the industry bodies and the big budget platforms to promote what we do.

If we talk more about materials, processes, challenges, issues faced on projects, why and how we do things, and the amazing people in the industry who do them, we can change this incorrect perception.

The benefits of sharing the issues faced, far outweigh the downsides. It’s the way we deal with problems that shows our value. We build relationships and gain respect this way.

Is it any wonder that clients have little appreciation of the need for variations and acceptance of the uncovering of issues that could never have been foreseen until the construction phase began?

Let’s talk about how and why we do things in construction, not just what we’ve done once we’ve done it. Let’s talk about all of what we face, warts and all. Guaranteed, the industry will be more respected for it.

Working in construction marketing day after day, we see the evidence and the impact that sharing more can have. By talking about the whole process, the challenges, identified pitfalls and the successes throughout a project (not just at the end), we can change the perception that those outside of construction have of us.

By

Managing Director, The Digital Lookout

I’m going to guess that anyone in the construction industry reading this will agree that it gets a pretty bad rap, a lot of the time.

Always over budget, always running behind schedule, and when it comes to public perception: a bunch of muddy, steel-toe-cap-wearing dropouts from academia. Harsh, but true.

Re-addressing the balance!

Ella Brocklebank is Head of Communications and Business

By Ella Brocklebank Head of Communications and Business Development Jenner Group

Development for longstanding, awardwinning Kent-based main contractor Jenner Group, as well as holding many voluntary roles including co-chairing the Kent Construction Focus Group; Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce’s sector specific support group for 13 years and is currently a Governor of the ‘outstanding’ EKC Group.

With a career in construction that spans in excess of 20 years she has witnessed firsthand the trials and tribulations of working within such a challenging industry, and yet proactively vocalises her love of the industry, the rewarding career path it offers and the need to promote this to all.

When asked to write an article with the brief to address ‘Women in Construction’ my first thought, as I admittedly heave a small sigh of eternal frustration, is always “why are we still talking about this?”, particularly when we have made such monumental strides forward in gaining gender equality in today’s society as a whole. But sadly, as an industry, construction is undeniably falling well behind the curve, with a long way still to go in reducing its macho culture and unravelling the misperception of a career path solely offering ‘jobs for the boys’.

I was reminded of this fact one morning recently as I collected my morning coffee and a stranger interjected in my conversation, with his observation upon hearing that I worked in construction being “oh, so you’re one of those admin girls?” And there it is! The commonplace, age-old perception that a female in the world of construction can do nothing more than paperwork.

Well, rewind back to 2003 and he was actually correct, I was exactly that. Answering the telephone and typing for my more senior male colleagues within a local construction company was how I got started, fresh out of graduating from university and hungry for an exciting career, but wholly ill-informed and without any idea whatsoever of the vast opportunities open to me, never once considering construction as a viable option. And so, it was a chance opportunity that immersed me into construction and one that I seized with both hands, and ambition soon led me further.

Fast-forward twenty years and I am now fortunate to hold the position of Head of

Communications at Jenner Group, as well as many other extra curricula roles that both compliment and strengthen my role within the industry and beyond, and that all allow me to slowly and surely help to bring about change.

Many may cynically challenge that I am actually a ‘female in construction’ given the fact I am not a qualified architect, engineer or surveyor, nor do I possess any trade skills, but having progressed through the industry and risen through the ranks over many, many years of hard work and dedication it is safe to say I pretty much eat, sleep and breathe construction.

My passion and determination to see our industry thrive, no matter how tough it gets (and believe me it is pretty tough right now in a post-COVID economy), with the people and skills it needs is relentless, so I do hope that perhaps I have now earned my right to call myself just that.

But I return to the fact of the matter and the purpose of my writing. This being our unified responsibility and an absolute priority to readdress the balance and to play our part

in what the future of construction looks like. It is not just about encouraging more females into construction, it is about breaking down the barriers and overturning ill-advised and antiquated opinions and ensuring we bring forward the right people, armed with the skills and attitude they need regardless of gender, age, race, or religion. It is about creating an environment without stigma, judgement, or preconception, where girls can study a construction trade or work on site in the same manner a male can pursue an office-based career in administration, accounts, or marketing.

Every role is important, there are astoundingly over 186 of them in our industry, and everyone can do any role with the right desire, guidance and training. Until we are an industry that has all the skills it needs to build efficiently and effectively for the future and the 12% that represents the number of females in our industry exponentially rises then we still have a lot to do. I for one am prepared for that challenge and the journey ahead, but the question is, are you?

Construction

Unleashing the Power of Media Presence in Construction

Constructing a World of Opportunities: A robust media presence opens doors to exciting new prospects. By reaching a wider audience, including clients, partners, investors, and subcontractors, you can create a buzz and attract lucrative contracts. Your media prowess is the key to unlocking growth and establishing fruitful industry partnerships.

Sustainable and net zero ambitions

Recent legislation requires that nearly all buildings will require an improved Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in the coming years.

Shining the Spotlight: A cohesive media presence makes your brand stand out from the construction crowd. From websites to social media platforms, you can showcase your expertise and unique achievements, capturing the attention of potential clients and partners.

Building Trust, Brick by Brick: Trust is the cornerstone of success in the construction industry. With consistent media engagement, you can share valuable content and cement your reputation as a reliable organisation.

In an industry as dynamic as construction, a cohesive media presence isn’t just a tool—it’s a secret weapon. It propels your brand to the forefront, cultivates trust, and unlocks a realm of possibilities. Take control of your media presence, let your personality shine, and watch as your company reaches new heights. It’s time to leave a lasting media footprint in the world of steel, concrete, and innovation.

Square Stone Media specialises in video production and photography for the construction industry. We create bespoke strategic content that solves problems and helps companies achieve their goals.

squarestonemedia.com

Securing Construction

Securitatem Installations are proud to work alongside the construction industry, working closely to secure sites whilst under construction as well as providing a security infrastructure for the future of the property once work has been completed.

They pride themselves on bringing together tailor-made responses to every site, providing on-hand surveys with their specialist engineers to best cater to every unique element on the property and the specific requirements of the contractor. Whether they are supporting their clients during, or for the completion of construction, Securitatem Installations are available from the start of any project to supply detailed planning, design, and installation resources.

A trusted system, even a temporary one, from an NSI Gold certified installer such as Securitatem Installation gives additional peace of mind for a construction site. Providing a visible security presence can deter potential criminal activity and provide proactive protection for equipment left on the site.

Combining the installation of security systems with a building project at the raw stages of construction provides a huge appeal to end users by providing a seamless finish that adds value to their property. Also allowing the additional possibility of unifying security systems with other home and property systems including, heating, power, and virtual assistance, providing a central control.

Securitatem Installations is professionally accredited across the board with accreditations from ISO9001, ALCUMUS Safe Contractor, and ALCUMUS SafePQQ.

To find out more about Securitatem Installations and their services, visit www.securitateminstallations.com

While these certificates offer an indication of energy and carbon efficiency compared to other buildings of the same type, improved ratings don’t always translate into real energy reductions or savings on utility bills.

At MYA Consultancy Services Ltd we offer clients the opportunity to better understand their buildings and make more informed choices when it comes to investing in improvements such as insulation, service upgrades and integration of renewable technologies. By creating a digital twin of your building, we can test proposed improvements for the building before committing to works, assessing the potential energy and carbon savings and, with cost data provided, we can estimate relative payback periods. Rather than taking elements in isolation, proposals can be considered holistically for energy, EPC ratings and occupant wellbeing. We can also support clients in developing their net zero energy roadmap and, working within project technical and financial constraints, help prioritise and phase potential works to achieve enhanced outcomes.

MYA Consultancy Services is a familyrun engineering consultancy based in Margate. As chartered engineers with over 30 years of combined experience in the field of building performance modelling and building physics, we have worked on a wide variety of services and sectors including residential, commercial, educational, healthcare, leisure, and hospitality. We are delighted to join the Kent and South-east community and support the region in reaching its full potential by achieving its sustainable and net zero ambitions.

For more information visit: www.mya.ltd

In the bustling world of construction, a well-crafted media presence is more than just a trend-it’s a game-changer. Here’s why it’s essential for companies to make their mark.

How to overcome the commercial challenges on construction projects

By Matt Clark GVE Commercial Solutions (Building) Ltd

The construction industry can be a demanding environment, not just physically but also in the operation of the contract, to ensure accurate and timely payments and to keep the cash flowing. This in turn demands efficient management and accurate surveying to ensure things run smoothly and projects achieve financial success. Contractors and subcontractors often face formidable hurdles when navigating complex issues.

Commercial challenges often plague construction projects, hindering progress and impacting profitability. GVE Commercial Solutions (GVE) - a local commercial, programming and quantity surveying consultancy work directly with many of Kent’s contractors and subcontractors, providing a tailored approached to manage and resolve issues effectively. GVE reliably provides flexible commercial support to cover peaks and troughs in workload or staff shortages.

Don’t suffer in contractual silence

Whether it’s reviewing the contract terms, managing the payment process, dealing with variations, monitoring and reporting on progress, or dealing with claims and disputes, GVE’s professional team of commercial and programming experts will provide sound advice and support throughout the project’s lifecycle. We can help you to mitigate your risks.

Understanding the contract can also be quite daunting, so taking the time at both tender stage and at the start of a project to read and appreciate your obligations is vital.

A thorough review is essential and don’t be tempted to just sign up to the first set of documents that land on your desk! GVE can review and negotiate terms and conditions on your behalf with our contract review service.

We also specialise in all aspects of JCT and NEC programming matters. From assistance with tendering and winning projects through to the live development of monthly programme updates and compensation event programmes. For JCT projects, we provide delay impact analysis and entitlement strategies.

Understand the contract

It is often taken as read, that everyone is fully conversant with whichever form of contract they are working under. Throw into the mix the various contract forms, schedules of amendments, numbered documents and so on, and confusion can easily occur. To overcome this, GVE’s bespoke training workshops cover a variety of topics around both JCT and NEC forms of contract and are invaluable to help with understanding or simply to refresh existing knowledge.

Utilise local knowledge

GVE prides itself on building strong partnerships with contractors and subcontractors in Kent. Through collaborative engagements, GVE aligns its expertise with the specific needs of its clients, delivering practical solutions tailored to the requirements of each project. By working closely with us, our clients gain access to a dedicated team of NEC and JCT practitioners who have a deep understanding of the local construction market. Our commitment to providing exceptional service, combined with a pragmatic, hands-on approach, establishes long-term relationships based on trust and mutual success.

Stay ahead of the game

In an industry as competitive and demanding as construction, you need every advantage to stay ahead. GVE can help you deal effectively with these challenges, enabling smoother operations, enhanced profitability, and helping to manage risk and unlock the full potential of your construction projects.

If you have any challenges or concerns or just need a health check on your current projects, contact GVE. We can give you the help and support you need.

The Contract Do’s & Don’ts:

• Read and review the contract carefully to understand what you are signing up to.

• Don’t be afraid to question or challenge onerous terms and conditions.

• Ensure you understand the payment process and payment terms and make sure you and your client stick to them.

• Make sure your payment applications are accurate and submitted on time.

• Ensure you are being paid on time and chase up any overdue amounts promptly.

• Maintain robust recordkeeping processes to evidence any claims/disputes that could occur down the line.

Matt Clark Managing Director

Resolving construction disputes in the real world

The construction sector is currently facing a sustained period of exceptional price volatility. As a result, it is not uncommon for a party to have assumed a level of contractual risk that they are unable to maintain, placing them in a parlous financial and contractual position.

When a contractor or subcontractor’s financial position means they simply cannot take the hit, enforcing your contractual entitlements may not be the best approach. The alternative is a real-world solution to allow the parties to move the project forward, such as renegotiating contracts, revising the scope of works and/or reaching conditional settlements.

Consider a practical example:

A specialist contractor is having cash flow issues and struggling to make payments for necessary materials. Consequently, the contractor falls behind programme and may be unable to fulfil its contractual obligations in respect of completion – a position that could lead to dispute and possible termination. If the contractor cannot continue then the employer may be required to source a replacement contractor at short notice. However, this will inevitably delay the project and increase costs and, whilst the contract may render the contractor liable for a substantial financial claim, it is of little comfort to the employer

if the contractor has not got the money to satisfy it. In such circumstances, it may become desirable to employ a real-world solution for the betterment of the project. This would help to overcome the impasse, assist the contractor in maintaining progress on site, get the job finished and avoid formal dispute resolution proceedings such as adjudication, litigation and arbitration.

Such measures – including improved payment terms, payment for off-site materials and revised prices/rates – may go against the terms of the contract but can also in the long haul be the best outcome for everyone. However, how can you be sure that you are not just pouring good money after bad?

How can an employer be sure that its ‘good deed’ is not just delaying the inevitable and how can you be sure that entering into negotiations does not undermine your contractual position? It is fundamental to ensure that any negotiations take place on a “without prejudice” basis, whilst continuing to comply with the existing contract.

Any deal that is reached should be formally documented with appropriate contract amendments in a timely manner. Taking advice from a construction lawyer is imperative to ensure your existing rights are not prejudiced and to ensure that what is being negotiated is appropriate in all the circumstances.

www.socotec.co.uk/advisory

To learn more on this topic, join expert witness Duncan Hughes-Phillips (SOCOTEC Advisory) and construction lawyer Chris Kirby-Turner (Thomson Snell & Passmore) when they present at the Kent Construction Expo on 5th October 2023. The presentation will cover:

• Warning signs

• Early advice, appraisal of risks and potential options to renegotiate, reset or reach conditional settlement of construction contracts

• Importance of initial and updated due diligence

• How to progress negotiations whilst protecting your position and complying with contractual obligations

• Role of advisers in evaluating options, facilitating negotiations, progressing heads of terms, and documenting agreement

• How extra-contractual solutions may lead to the most mutually beneficial real-world outcome.

Don’t risk itget your equipment thoroughly examined

(England) Regulations 2022], PSSR [Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000] and WAHR [Work at Height Regulations 2005].

“I am here to remind businesses of their duties and responsibilities and ensure that I make their lives easier,” said Joe, who also provides a consultancy service to advise businesses on upgrading and replacing equipment.

Compliance of statutory Health and Safety regulations is paramount within the construction industry. Businesses need to be “thorough examination” ready, not just “inspection ready”, urges Joe Ward, Managing Director and Principal Surveyor of Excel Inspection Solutions.

From passenger-goods lifts to tower cranes, Excel Inspection Solutions carries out thorough examinations of a wide range of lifting and pressure equipment. Whereas routine inspections ensure machinery and equipment is operationally sound, thorough examinations go into more depth and uncover defects that may go left unnoticed until it is too late.

“I take Health & Safety very seriously,” said Joe, who set up Excel Inspection Solutions in 2021 and is a member of ESiNet (Engineer Surveyor Inspection Network), a network of independent Engineer surveyors.

“Generally, items that require examination are often overlooked or forgotten about. The key detail here is that regulations are statutory and, if not complied with, they can lead to fines, imprisonment and can put an end to company operations which can cost a lot of money, time, and damage reputations.”

EIS carries out examinations under LOLER [Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998], PUWER [Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998], COSHH [Control of Substances, Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002], FS(E)R [Fire Safety

“I always carry out equipment examinations on time, provide detailed reports and I’m always available to my clients. I’m available at weekends and even silly o’clock because it is my responsibility to be there. I find that Passenger-goods lifts are the area most clients need advice on.”

EIS works predominantly in the Home Counties and London but will travel further afield when required, for example, the firm has carried out inspections in Scarborough and Blackpool.

Tower Crane examinations are a favourite of Joe’s. They’re constantly in use and undergo a lot of excessive forces, so it’s important that they’re checked every six months. “The importance of what we do is simply down to the fact that clients don’t often see defects on their equipment, which is where we come in,” he added.

“We often discover ropes that have degraded beyond recognition. There are many ways in which ropes can become defective including shock loading and diametric reduction, to name a few.”

“Companies that maintain equipment on say a monthly basis may come across things, but their primary focus is looking at the functionality of the kit rather than doing a full examination.”

“I would describe an inspection as visual checks, whereas a thorough examination includes function tests, measuring rope diameters, testing backup systems etc.” This year, FS(E)R came into force in January following the Grenfell Enquiry. If an organisation is responsible for a firefighters’ lift or an evacuation lift of at least 7 floors or is 18 metres above ground level, they need to undergo additional checks, to ensure they behave in the correct manner in the case of a fire.

“The firefighters’ lift at Grenfell didn’t do what it was supposed to do, and it’s because of this that we find these new regulations. Any company that doesn’t arrange to have these lifts checked annually will be falling foul of the new regulations.”

Joe has recently become a proud member of the Chamber to raise his profile and meet other business leaders in Kent.

“You can’t beat good old-fashioned, face-to-face networking,” he said. “I feel I have a platform to talk to the right people in the industry. I also think it’s an important part of my CPD as some of the talks at the Chamber are related to my industry.

“Everyone at the Chamber has been very helpful. In terms of growing my business, they have pointed me in the direction of other members to support me in forging relationships. Plus, the Chamber is local, and I am hoping to grow my business locally.”

Joe plans to undergo more training this year to further widen his portfolio of services, as well as apply for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status. He also plans to take on an apprentice to support his business’s growth in the next few years and support the training of the next generation.

Joe Ward, MD of Excel Inspection Solutions, tells Sarah Dale why the sky is the limit when it comes to ensuring your industry equipment is safe.

Strategies to Take Control of Rising Energy Costs in Your Business

Current Market Conditions

The UK energy market is experiencing significant changes driven by a range of factors, from the transition to renewables, coal-plant closures, or wider geo-political issues. When you combine these factors together, you start to get an understanding of how the volatility in the market has come about. Historically stable energy prices have been replaced by record highs and ever shifting pricing, making it increasingly difficult for businesses to keep a grip on their energy costs. Energy prices are likely to remain at their current levels for the foreseeable future as we continue to tackle the major shifts in the market and invest in a more sustainable and renewable future. Looking specifically at the market now, pricing remains turbulent as challenges around the ongoing war in Ukraine impact the overall liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply.

Gain a Comprehensive Understanding of Your Energy Bill

Understanding your energy bill is the first step towards managing your costs efficiently. Unlike residential customers who benefit from energy price caps, businesses are not protected by such regulations.

It is essential to be aware of your contractual obligations, ensuring you are not paying variable rates that could be significantly higher than contracted prices. Additionally, review your VAT rates, determine if you receive estimated or actual bills, and strive to stay in balance with your energy usage.

Efficiently Manage Your Energy Consumption

Reducing energy waste is an effective way to lower costs. Consider implementing energy management

platforms that provide real-time insights into your energy usage. At Lumina Energy, we offer solutions that enable you to monitor various utility meters, including water, and identify areas where energy efficiency can be improved. Upgrading to smart or AMR readers allows for more accurate and frequent meter readings, empowering your business to identify usage patterns and address any energy-consuming equipment that may be inefficient.

Optimise Water Consumption

While water expenses may not be as significant as gas or electricity bills, they can still be reduced. Since the deregulation of the water industry in 2017, businesses in England now have the freedom to choose their water supplier. Ensure you are in a contract with a supplier that offers competitive pricing and fixed retail costs.

We have helped businesses save an average of 10% annually on water spend, simply by contracting with a supplier without switching.

Embrace Carbon Reduction

The UK government’s commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050 highlights the importance of reducing carbon emissions. By analysing the main contributors to your business’s carbon footprint, such as energy consumption, travel, and distribution, you can implement strategies to reduce emissions.

Transitioning to renewable energy sources, adopting electric vehicles, and developing a Carbon Reduction Plan can not only help the environment but also enhance your business’s image and position in the market.

To talk through your options in more detail reach out to our team at info@luminaenergy.co.uk or by phone on 01622 236 888.

luminaenergy.co.uk

Choose the Right Procurement Strategy

There are many options to choose from when it comes to your energy contract and procurement options. Procurement options can vary from flexible procurement strategies to long term fixed price security providing additional budget certainty. Are you looking to improve your sustainability? If so, then a renewable energy supplier and contract options might be better for you. Think about your current situation along with your long-term goals for your business.

Work with an Energy Consultancy

Energy consultancies can help with several areas for your business energy, from liaising with suppliers and finding you the best suitable contract options to helping you identify your energy data and how you can reduce your usage and improve your bottom line.

At Lumina Energy we have worked with over 3,000 businesses across the UK and are wholly owned by Kent County Council. If you’re looking to utilise your energy more efficiently through understanding your data better, or you need a Carbon Reduction Plan for reducing your carbon footprint and improving sustainability, we can help you.

It’s no secret the current energy market is a challenge for businesses across the UK. It’s crucial to adopt effective approaches that allow you to regain control and reduce costs. We want to share actionable strategies that can help your business tackle rising energy costs and optimise its energy usage.

Six centuries of tradition continue with appointment of new Wardens

out with the future in mind. From the long-term maintenance of our bridges or the immediate reduction of our carbon impact to the scholarships we offer to encourage and support the education of future civil engineers and farmers – it is forward thinking that has ensured this medieval organisation has continued for more than 600 years.”

Russell Cooper joined the Trust in 2007 and has previously served as Junior Warden from 2015-17, and Senior Warden from 2017-21. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

DHA launches London office

Demand for expert planning advice and support, has given award-winning planning consultancy DHA the commercial confidence to expand and open its first London office.

A medieval charity has elected two new Wardens in a tradition that stretches back more than six centuries.

Derek Butler has been elected as Senior Warden, while Russell Cooper is the new Junior Warden of the Rochester Bridge Trust.

A former Maidstone Borough Councillor and Mayor, Derek Butler was nominated to the Trust in 2015 and served as Junior Warden since 2021. His experience includes work at the National Coal Board and the Court Service.

He said: “It is an honour to be elected Senior Warden. The Trust is an historic charity operating in the modern world and all our work is carried

The pair were formally elected in May, when they were joined by two new members of the Court of Wardens and Assistants, John Farmer and Dr Helen Pascoe, while long-standing member Paul Harriot stepped down after 40 years. These changes mean there are now 13 unpaid charity trustees.

The Rochester Bridge Trust was established in the 14th century, to take on the responsibility for the maintenance and provision of crossings of the River Medway at Rochester – at no cost to the public. It is governed by the Court of Wardens and Assistants. Of these, six are nominated members, with three by Medway Council, two by Kent County Council and one by Maidstone Borough Council.

A further seven are appointed from the community, based on their experience in engineering, estate management, finance or other areas useful for the business of the Trust. The two Wardens are elected by the members of the Court.

The Young Lives Foundation

The Young Lives Foundation (YLF) is an award-winning independent children’s charity in Kent, with expertise in Advocacy, Mentoring, Befriending and Activity Programmes

We would like to thank all our supporters and donors who, over the years, have enabled us to carry out the good work for The Young Lives Foundation. It’s your support that gives us the opportunity to help so many young people in need.

Founded in 2007, The Young Lives Foundation has supported vulnerable young people aged 8-25 years throughout Kent. We believe every young person in need should have access to the resources and opportunities needed for them to achieve their potential and lead fulfilled lives. Disadvantage should not define childhoods.

The young people we support are looked after children, care leavers, children in need or who are at risk, young offenders, or those at risk of offending, young people who are not in employment, education, or training (referred to as NEET), and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

We are dedicated in delivering quality services tailored to ensure we achieve effective outcomes in the lives of these young people via our advocacy, mentoring and youth group services, diverting young people from negative pathways to positive experiences, raising hope and aspirations.

This is achieved by our incredible group of volunteers who in 2022 gave 34,000 hours and supported over 3500 people.

We also couldn’t do what we do without our supporters, donors, Friends of YLF, fundraisers, partnerships, event attendees, gifts in kind and grants. All of this enables us to develop our services to meet the growing needs of the young people of Kent, with referrals since the pandemic up 45%.

Our goal is to support these young people, advocating for their rights and interests and enabling their voices to be heard, to assist them in overcoming hardship and encourage them to develop resilience and increase their confidence, for them to become actively engaged members of society.

If you are interested in finding out more about what we do, volunteer or to donate, please visit: www.ylf.org.uk

The move by the South East’s largest independent planning and highways consultancy, which already has offices in Maidstone and Gatwick, reflects the firm’s success since it was crowned 2021 South East Planning Team of the Year by the industry’s governing body: Royal Town & Planning Institute (RTPI).

Alex Hicken, Managing Director of DHA, said: “With a strong portfolio of national landowners, property developers and housebuilders looking to take forward major projects across the South East, it made sense for us to open a central London office and raise our profile. We are confident that, thanks to the skills, ethos and experience of our team, we will continue to attract major planning projects and to deliver results for our clients.

“London is increasingly an important part of our business, with residential, commercial, mixed-use and educational projects delivered across many boroughs. Our team has established a reputation for delivering high standards of planning performance and service, and we are pleased to be able to make ourselves more easily accessible.”

The London office will be headed up by Patrick Reedman, Director, and will provide planning, transport, urban design, environment, infrastructure and land consultancy advice for DHA’s expanding roster of national and regional clients.

Patrick said: “This is a great step forward for the business, with our newest office in an ideal, central location. The expansion builds on all of the work we are already doing in Greater London, from high-end bespoke new homes, to major scale referrable schemes. I have no doubt this will help us to better serve the needs of our clients, cementing DHA’s position among the most respected development consultancies in the capital and beyond.”

DHA’s London team, based at Metal Box Factory on Great Guildford Street close to London Bridge railway station, will be able to call upon the combined skills and support of its 65-strong team across the firm.

For more information visit www.dhaplanning.co.uk

The Chamber has been supporting businesses in Kent, Medway and beyond to deliver international trade for decades. Our technical and administrative expertise has been invaluable to importers and exporters across the county and we continually adapt our services to meet the changing needs of our Customers, and global trading regulations. Whether it’s advice, compliance or administrative services, our experienced Team are here to help.

The Services we provide are...

Global Business Network

A comprehensive international network of 133 British Chambers of Commerce and business groups located across the world, that will drive two-way commerce and business between each location and the UK.

The network acts as an agile and reliable ecosystem for businesses wishing to widen their international horizons.

Each Chamber has a diverse membership of both services and goods companies, willing to share advice and provide trusted connections. This means that a company that is a member of any Chamber in the BCC Network can benefit from international B2B connections, support services and solutions, practical advice about the local business environment and potential market opportunities.

Customs Services

Delivered locally by the Chamber, this service offers traders a high level of compliance with HMRC procedures and offers a direct link for customs clearance through all sea, air and road ports and terminals in the UK.

With our extensive knowledge, reputation, and first-class service in facilitating international trade, we can take the hassle out of your hands when it comes to exporting and importing goods. The service is offered direct to businesses or as a support service on behalf of freight forwarders, ensuring that customs clearance is accurate, timely and avoids additional costs through delays or errors.

International Trade Advice

Understanding the complexities of trading internationally can seem like an uphill struggle, but it doesn’t have to be.

Our experienced import/export advisers can help you navigate through the paperwork, payments and pitfalls and help you move your goods or services around the world.

We can help you with all your import, export and customs procedures, connect you to suppliers, introduce you to useful networks, and help you get paid.

All businesses receive an initial consultation free of charge, thereafter fees apply. Member discount applies.

We offer:

• A high level of compliance and assurance for customers

• White label services for freight forwarders and logistics companies

• Member/Non-Member discounts

• Tariff and commodity code assistance

• Goods Movement Reference

• T1 Transport Declarations

• ATA Carnets

Export Certification

Post Brexit and new Trade Agreements have changed the trading arrangements with many more countries than ever before requiring confirmation of the origin of goods.

As an authorised Chamber, we are able to provide certification services for all your needs.

Import/Export Training & Qualification

Gain an understanding of key trade and customs processes to grow your business and ensure you trade compliantly and with confidence. We regularly deliver training courses suitable for anyone working in export, import, customs, logistics or across the supply chain. For professionals looking to develop their career in international trade, we provide the British Chambers of Commerce Foundation Award in International Trade.

Delivered by our team of expert trainers, our public courses are held online as virtual training sessions and can also be offered on an in-house basis, delivered online or in person at a designated location. Since they began in 2013, over 5,000 candidates have attended our programmes.

Candidates completing six or more courses are awarded the BCC Foundation Award in International Trade.

• UK Certificate of Origin

• Invoice & Document Certification

• Arab-British Certificate of Origin

• UK EUR1 Movement Certificate

We can help guide you through each countries’ requirements and ensure your exports are hassle free.

The eleven modules to choose from are:

• Understanding Exporting

• Incoterms® 2020

• Export Documentation

• Methods of Payments

• Documentary Letters of Credit

• Import Procedures

• Customs Procedures and Documentation

• Preference Rules of Origin

• Agents and Distributors

• Inward and Outward Processing

• Understanding Commodity Codes

These courses give international traders the essential skills invaluable to small and large businesses alike. During each course, the candidates must demonstrate knowledge of the subject, and their performance is marked by an external assessor.

Special cot helps grieving parents make memories

A vital piece of equipment that allows bereaved parents to be able to spend precious time with their baby after they have died has been donated to Medway NHS Foundation Trust by baby loss charity Abigail’s Footsteps following a donation from the East Kent Freemasons.

The Abi Cooling Cot helps to keep the baby at a cool temperature meaning the child can stay with their parents for longer, giving them the chance to grieve and say goodbye in their own time. As well as helping the parents to make memories during a particularly traumatic and difficult time, it also helps them to start to deal with their grief.

Developed by Abigail’s Footsteps in collaboration with The Bond Group, which is based in Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey, the cot will be available for bereaved families to use in the Trust’s two dedicated bereavement suites, Bluebell and Abigail’s Place, at Medway Maritime Hospital. The bereavement suites provide parents with a safe and comfortable space to spend time with their baby and receive visits from family and friends.

Jayne Black, the Trust’s Chief Executive, said: “We are extremely grateful to both Abigail’s Footsteps and the East Kent Freemasons for the cold cot donation.

“This is the fourth cot supplied to the Trust by the charity and it will replace the original cot which was donated over 10 years ago.

“Losing a child is something nobody should ever have to go through but for those who do experience the sad loss of a child, either because they have been born sleeping or due to health complications, the cots help to provide many hours of comfort to bereaved families, which would not have been possible without them.”

Bernie Connolly, Chair of the East Kent Masonic Clay Shooting Team, said: “We know the difference an Abi Cooling Cot can make to bereaved families so when we heard that Medway NHS Foundation Trust’s previous cot needed replacing, we were only too happy to help. Our provincial clay shooting team has raised thousands of pounds for charitable organisations over the years so it was a privilege to officially hand over the cot to the Trust knowing that bereaved parents will be given a little more time to spend with their baby.”

David Ward, Chief Executive of Abigail’s Footsteps, said: “Abigail’s Footsteps is committed to providing an Abi Cooling Cot to all hospitals across the UK. Thanks to the generosity of those who fundraise for us, to date, we have been able to donate over 100 cold cots to hospitals across the UK. We want to express our sincerest thanks to the East Kent Freemasons for their continued support and for donating this replacement cot to Medway NHS Foundation Trust.”

To find out more about Abigail’s Footsteps visit www.abigailsfootsteps.co.uk

Plasticom’s Innovative Approach Saves the Day for Premier Foods by overcoming Sourcing Challenges through Reverse Engineering

In a world where discontinued parts can bring operations to a screeching halt, the story of how Plasticom Ltd came to the rescue shines as a beacon of hope.

When a company faced a daunting task of sourcing injection-moulded conveyor slats after a decade of absence from the market, Plasticom stepped in with a solution that surpassed all expectations.

The ordeal began when the original supplier of the conveyor slats went out of business, leaving the company scrambling to find a replacement.

After hearing about their predicament, Plasticom Ltd, known for its expertise in plastic manufacturing, decided to take up the challenge.

The fruits of Plasticom’s labour were soon realised as the newly manufactured parts were seamlessly integrated into the production line. Months have passed since their installation, and not a single issue has arisen. Not only did Plasticom Ltd reproduce the original parts flawlessly,

Retention: Customers aren’t just for Christmas

Having invested in acquiring a customer, it’s paramount to focus on how you retain that customer. You want their wallet share to stay with you, and for them to feel you understand what they want from your product/service. Only by investing in retention can this be achieved. It’s important to walk in your customer’s shoes, to see how they see you. This allows you to take the customer along a journey which actively and deeply engages them with the organisation, and positively reinforces the brand. Understand your customer’s needs from the outset. Act on them. Recognise and reward desired behaviour and reinforce brand choice. Invite two-way communication to uncover insights into that customer. The customer journey concept is always organic, and we should be working on continual refinement of the strategy to deliver the greatest benefit to the ongoing health of the brand in general and the efficacy of the recruitment budget in particular. If we can retain more customers, then we can be more selective about who we recruit which then will further improve the rate of churn – becoming a virtuous circle.

TIH can provide you with a straightforward plan for a successful retention strategy:

- Set business targets

- Define audience

- Understand value and behaviours

- Define loyalty and risk

- Design targeted and relevant communications

Ask us about customer retention – small changes can make a huge difference but knowing your insights is where we start.

insighthouse.co.uk

but they also made improvements to durability and fit, exceeding the client’s expectations.

Steven Baird, the Reliability and Performance Improvement Engineer, at Premier Foods, praised Plasticom’s efforts, stating, “I would highly recommend Plasticom Ltd for all your plastic needs.” This successful collaboration serves as a testament to Plasticom’s expertise in reverse engineering and their commitment to delivering innovative solutions in the face of sourcing challenges.

In an industry where adaptability and problem-solving skills are paramount, Plasticom Ltd has proven that they are a force to be reckoned with. Their ability to transform a sourcing nightmare into a success story demonstrates their unwavering dedication to client satisfaction and their mastery of plastic manufacturing.

For further information about Plasticom Ltd, visit: www.plasticomgroup.com

Every month we bring you a mix of information sessions, networking events, workshops and training sessions with some of the top local business professionals from an array of different industries. Each event is designed to offer invaluable up-to-date information tailored to our attendee’s wants and needs, as well as networking opportunities to help you grow your business.

Every month we bring you a mix of information sessions, networking events, workshops and training sessions with some of the top local business professionals from an array of different industries. Each event is designed to offer invaluable up-to-date information tailored to our attendee’s wants and needs, as well as networking opportunities to help you grow your business.

With a mix of events held online and face to face across Kent, you’re sure to find the right one for you.

With a mix of events held online and face to face across Kent, you’re sure to find the right one for you.

B2B Social Media Workshop (Medway Businesses Only)

B2B Social Media Workshop (Medway Businesses Only)

Kent and Medway Manufacturing Group

Kent and Medway Manufacturing Group

Big Breakfast with Damian Green MP

Big Breakfast with Damian Green MP

10:30am - 1:00pm

10:30am - 1:00pm

Wednesday 23rd August 2023

Wednesday 23rd August 2023

Marina Showroom, Gillingham

Marina Showroom, Gillingham

Members: Free to attend

Members: Free to attend

Non-Members: Free to attend

Non-Members: Free to attend

Are you ready to take your social media game to the next level?

Are you ready to take your social media game to the next level?

Do you use Carousels on social media?

Do you use Carousels on social media?

Are you using ChatGTP to its full potential?

Are you using ChatGTP to its full potential?

Is your business using the most up to date social media platform?

Is your business using the most up to date social media platform?

Our trainer, Zoe Cairns, will cover everything from creating a winning social media strategy to crafting compelling content and measuring your success.

Our trainer, Zoe Cairns, will cover everything from creating a winning social media strategy to crafting compelling content and measuring your success.

In partnership with Medway Council.

In partnership with Medway Council.

12:00pm - 2:00pm

12:00pm - 2:00pm

Wednesday 30th August 2023

Wednesday 30th August 2023

Mercure Maidstone Hotel, Maidstone

Mercure Maidstone Hotel, Maidstone

Members: Free to attend

Members: Free to attend

Non-Members: Free to attend

Non-Members: Free to attend

Lunch will be provided on arrival as well as the opportunity to network with other local business representatives before our keynote speakers.

Lunch will be provided on arrival as well as the opportunity to network with other local business representatives before our keynote speakers.

KMFG will enable the Manufacturing & Engineering sector to influence in a more concerted way the different agenda’s that are key to business growth and success.

KMFG will enable the Manufacturing & Engineering sector to influence in a more concerted way the different agenda’s that are key to business growth and success.

Lunch will include a selection of savoury options and will be served with tea/coffee on arrival.

Lunch will include a selection of savoury options and will be served with tea/coffee on arrival.

7:30am - 10:00am

7:30am - 10:00am

Friday 22nd September 2023

Friday 22nd September 2023

Eastwell Manor, Ashford

Eastwell Manor, Ashford

Members: £25.00 + VAT

Members: £25.00 + VAT

Non-Members: £35.00 + VAT

Non-Members: £35.00 + VAT

Join us for a Networking special with guest speaker Damian Green MP.

Join us for a Networking special with guest speaker Damian Green MP.

There will be an opportunity to meet new contacts and generate business leads, whilst sharing ideas and experiences with like-minded business people.

There will be an opportunity to meet new contacts and generate business leads, whilst sharing ideas and experiences with like-minded business people.

Throughout the course of the morning, we will serve you a Full English Breakfast at the stunning grounds of Eastwell Manor, afterwards you will get to hear from Damian Green MP with the chance to ask any questions.

Throughout the course of the morning, we will serve you a Full English Breakfast at the stunning grounds of Eastwell Manor, afterwards you will get to hear from Damian Green MP with the chance to ask any questions.

Business Walks

10:30am - 12:30pm

Bluewater Nature Trail, Dartford, Thursday 10th August 2023

10:30am - 12:00pm

Betteshanger Country Park, Deal, Thursday 28th September 2023

This informal event will give you an opportunity to promote your business and make invaluable connections with local businesses in Kent. ‘Business Walks’ is a new networking event, free to both members and non-members. Each month will be in a new location, to be inclusive of all businesses in Kent.

Community. Connection. Collaboration, and of course, walking!

Chamber Connections

10:30am - 12:00pm

Bearsted Golf Club, Bearsted, Thursday 3rd August 2023

Broome Park Hotel, Canterbury, Thursday 7th September 2023

Join others for our very popular Chamber Connections Networking event and receive a warm welcome from your Chamber representative on arrival, who will be on hand to help you meet new members of the business community. This informal event will give you an opportunity to promote your business and make invaluable connections.

Any business, any size, we know and understand the pressures and ambitions your business has. Imagine what you could achieve being part of a local business community.

Kent Construction Focus Group

7:30am - 9:30am

KCFG Members: £22.50 + VAT, Non-Members: £32.50 + VAT

The Village Hotel, Maidstone, Tuesday 5th September 2023

Hosted by members of the KCFG committee, Cheryl Causebrook and Ella Brocklebank, we bring you KCFG Live!

The Kent Construction Focus Group (KCFG) is a one-stop-shop for local businesses to discuss the future of Kent development, giving companies access to local knowledge, expertise and contracts. During the morning you will enjoy a full English breakfast which will be followed by a presentation from our guest speakers.

Virtual Business Networking (Sponsored by Furley Page)

10:30am - 12:00pm, Online via Zoom

Free to Attend

Tuesday 8th August 2023 | Tuesday 22nd August 2023

Tuesday 12th September 2023 | Tuesday 26th September 2023

Each event will be an eclectic mix of conversation topics as we interview our guest business and encourage questions from the attendees, making sure we bring you the networking event you want to be involved in.

Conversations with our guest speaker will be followed by 3 breakout room sessions where attendees can delve deeper into this discussion, or discuss their own topic in more depth.

Chamber Connections (Bearsted Golf Club)

Thursday 3rd August 2023, 10:30am - 12:00pm

Bearsted Golf Club, Maidstone, ME14 4PQ

Virtual Business Networking

Tuesday 8th August 2023, 10:30am - 12:00pm Online via Zoom

Business Walks (Bluewater Nature Trail)

Thursday 10th August 2023, 10:30am - 12:30pm

Bluewater, Dartford, Greenhithe, DA9 9ST

Business Bites

Thursday 17th August 2023, 1:00pm - 1:30pm Online via Zoom

Virtual Business Networking

Tuesday 22nd August 2023, 10:30am - 12:00pm

Online via Zoom

B2B Social Media Workshop (Medway Businesses Only)

Wednesday 23rd August 2023, 10:30am - 1:00pm

Marina Showroom, Gillingham, ME7 1UB

Business Talks: UK Electric Bike Centre

Thursday 24th August 2023, 10:30am - 12:30pm

Headcorn Airfield, Headcorn, TN27 9HX

Kent and Medway Manufacturing Group (KMFG)

Wednesday 30th August 2023, 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Mercure Maidstone Hotel, Maidstone, ME17 1RE

Business Bites

Thursday 31st August 2023, 1:00pm - 1:30pm Online via Zoom

Kent Construction Focus Group (KCFG)

Tuesday 5th September 2023, 7:30am - 9:30am

The Village Hotel, Maidstone, ME14 3AQ

International: Introduction To Import

Documentation And Procedures

Tuesday 5th September 2023, 9:30am - 12:45pm

Online via Zoom

Chamber Connections (Broome Park Hotel)

Thursday 7th September 2023 10:30am - 12:00pm

Broome Park Hotel, Canterbury, CT4 6QX

Virtual Business Networking

Tuesday 12th September 2023, 10:30am - 12:00pm

Online via Zoom

Business Bites

Tuesday 19th September 2023, 1:00pm - 1:30pm

Online via Zoom

Big Breakfast With Damian Green MP

Friday 22nd September 2023, 7:30am - 10:00am

Eastwell Manor, Ashford, TN25 4HR

Virtual Business Networking

Tuesday 26th September 2023, 10:30am - 12:00pm

Online via Zoom

Business Walks – Betteshanger Country Park

Thursday 28th September 2023, 10:30am - 12:00pm

Sandwich Rd, Deal, CT14 0BF

International: Rules Of Origin And Preference In

International Trade

Tuesday 3rd October 2023, 9:30am - 12:45pm

Online via Zoom

When the only certainty is change

Uncertainty is part of life, but the world has changed so rapidly that finding creative ways to keep ahead is challenging.

Our lawyers provide the construction sector with pragmatic advice to help our clients adapt and thrive.

Levelling up Fund success for Folkestone

In January 2023, Folkestone & Hythe District Council was successful in a bid to the government’s Levelling Up Fund and £19.8 million was awarded to deliver Folkestone – A Brighter Future.

The funding will enable a sustainable, attractive and welcoming gateway to be created for Folkestone town centre with a green park replacing the bus station in Bouverie Square. It will also enable the first phase of Folca (the former Debenhams department store) to be progressed creating a watertight functional shell ready for phase 2 works.

The council is engaging with partners and going through the procurement process, as the Levelling Up project needs to be completed by March 2025.

Folca Building, Folkestone

In addition to the Levelling Up fund work, the council is commissioning a design-led team to create concepts for the former store space, together with outline costs. The outcome of this work is due to be presented to councillors later this year.

Ship Street, Folkestone

The former gasworks site (3.8acre /1.54ha) was bought by the council in 2021 in order to bring forward a key regeneration site. The aim is to provide 135 energy efficient homes, with 22% being affordable housing for rent and shared ownership.

The scheme will include some commercial space, public realm space and a green link increasing connectivity between the site,

the existing neighbourhood and the town centre. The council is currently undertaking additional surveys to prepare the site for the market and will be seeking a development partner with the aim of starting development during 2024.

Biggins Wood, Folkestone

This site in Caesars Way, Cheriton has permission for 77 units of residential and commercial development. The council has agreed the sale of the land for commercial and housing development and has now completed the de-risking and enabling infrastructure work to prepare the site for the market.

There have been several expressions of interest in the site which the council is reviewing as part of soft market testing with the aim of securing a development partner and starting on site by March 2024.

Coast Drive, Greatstone

This transformational project will create a major £1.28m beachside visitor destination and will boost tourism and the local economy. The proposals include an attractive and sustainable new visitor building housing, a café concession, education and training space, accessible toilets and a Changing Places toilet (which will be the first of its kind in the Romney Marsh area).

The proposals also include 94 new beach chalets, fully accessible boardwalk, facilities for two water sports businesses (shower and changing facilities for the

water sports businesses will be provided in the visitor building), new and refurbished car park surfaces, electric vehicle charging points and disabled parking bays.

Romney Marsh Business Hub and Mountfield Road, New Romney

The Romney Marsh Business Hub opened in December 2021, containing 14 offices for rent together with conferencing facilities and business support. A significant number of offices have been filled by a diverse mix of businesses and there is some office space available for rent.

Opposite the hub is the Mountfield Road extension - a 10.7 acre site for commercial development. The council received a £3.5m ‘Getting Building Fund’ grant to construct the new infrastructure and nine of the plots are now under offer. The site is expected to create more than 400 jobs in a 10 year period.

Highview, Folkestone

The former Highview school site was purchased by the council as a site for affordable housing. Planning for a scheme of 25 homes for affordable rent and five homes for shared ownership, all designed to be net zero carbon rated, was approved in August 2021. The council is carrying out additional work to de-risk the site and is hoping to secure a development partner by early next year.

Otterpool Park – a new garden town

Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s Planning and Licensing Committee has resolved to grant outline planning permission for Otterpool Park this year, a new 8,500 home garden town nearFolkestone in Kent.

The transformative development will deliver a next generation garden town that will support sustainable living and a healthy economy; provide the best quality of life for existing and future residents and respond to local landscape character.

The approved plans include:

• A range of type and tenure of properties, including more than 1,870 affordable homes and 400 self-build homes.

• 50% green open space, five inter linking parks including heritage trails, new cycling and walking routes.

• Up to seven primary schools and two secondary schools, community and healthcare facilities.

• The protection, preservation and integration of existing significant historic features including bronze age barrows, Roman villa remains, Westenhanger Castle and its medieval barns, world war airfield remains and Folkestone Racecourse’s parade circle.

• Creation of an integrated active travel network to encourage healthy living, connect the new garden town and reduce car use, including a £20m investment in Westenhanger train station to enable high

speed services to operate, reducing journey times to London to 48mins.

• Electric vehicle charging points, solar power, no gas heating and planting over one million trees to help boost biodiversity by 20%.

• A new mixed-use town centre and 30-acre business park.

• Infrastructure and utilities improvements including a new waste water treatment works and 25 hectares of reed beds to overcome nutrient neutrality issues, and provision of a fibre-to-the premises broadband network.

For further information visit www.otterpoolpark.org

Shoreline Crescent

Shoreline Crescent is a wholly unique development of 84 luxury new homes in Folkestone, and the first phase of an ambitious masterplan to create a new coastal community of over 1000 new homes, continuing the town’s ongoing growth and regeneration.

Constructed by Folkestone-based contractor Jenner Group, the development delivers a mix of townhouses and apartment living. Built on prime real estate, its beachfront location and cleverly conceived design ensures that each and every home boasts unrivalled, uninterrupted sea views out across the English Channel. Situated at the foot of the historic Leas Lift and adjacent to the Lower Leas Coastal Park the new homes interconnect old with new.

Built on behalf of client Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company, established by local philanthropist Sir Roger De Haan and working closely with London-based architectural practice ACME every single design and construction detail has been meticulously considered, and carefully planned with exemplar quality at the forefront of all thinking, and luxurious living at the heart of the build, particularly owing to its exposed location to ensure the structure will ultimately stand the test of time.

Shoreline Folkestone, courtesy of Jenner Group

CGI image of the Otterpool Park garden town - Otterpool LLP

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The transformative development will deliver a next generation garden town that will support sustainable living and a healthy economy.❜❜

Welcome to our new members

Accounting Connections Ltd

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actingoffice.com

Software Platform that helps Accountants with a One-stop Practice Management Solution

Action Roadways Limited

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action-roadways.co.uk

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Atreon

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07584 685340

atreon.co.uk

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01322 686314

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Life begins at 45

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luminaenergy.co.uk

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Abigail’s Footsteps announce new Chair of Trustees

Christopher Wilson Contract Manager Syncline Solutions Ltd.

I am a young – ish man who has been on a direct path of entrepreneurship ever since making a 30% margin selling sweets on school grounds. I am confident in the abilities that I possess and eager to acquire those that I do not. Forever stimulated by the possibility of bettering the lives of my family and myself, I am not one to let an opportunity pass me by.

What was your first job and what was the pay packet?

At the age of 13. I was lucky enough to receive £3 an hour for washing dishes in a Mexican restaurant.

What do you always carry with you to work?

I have grown a symbiotic attachment to my earpiece, to the annoyance of friends and family alike, as they are unsure of whether I am talking to them, myself, or a client.

What is the biggest challenge facing your business?

Reconciling forever increasing lead times and supplier costs with the demands and tightening budgets of clients.

If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you change to help business?

I am yet to meet anyone that would refuse a tax break.

What can you see from your office window?

My garden! One of the greatest demands of my time second only to the business.

If you could do another job what would it be?

A jewellery salesman, think Adam Sandler’s uncut gems sans the goatee.

As a businessperson, what are your three main qualities?

Responsive, Decisive and Dependable.

What was your biggest mistake in business?

Hiring those that I couldn’t see myself in.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Learn to devote yourself. To your work, clients, employees, and your future. Don’t give up.

Who do you most admire in business? My Father.

Kent based baby loss charity Abigail’s Footsteps has appointed Chartered Accountant and Partner in Kreston Reeves LLP, Susan Robinson, as the new Chair of its Board of Trustees.

Susan is an expert on charities and their finances (heading the Kreston Reeves LLP not for profit sector) and presents seminars to local Charity Managers and Trustees on many different aspects of charities and their management. She is a registered

individual for audit purposes and Trustee and Fellow of the Association of Independent Charity Examiners (ACIE). Susan is a current Trustee of Age UK Medway and was actively involved in the merger of two charities which has enabled the new charity to develop its positioning and increase its offerings in the local sector. She is very passionate about the work the sector does in increasingly challenging circumstances.

Susan Robinson, Chair of the Abigail’s Footsteps Board, said: ‘’I first encountered Abigail’s Footsteps in 2015. Understanding what they were doing and why was very heartwrenching. Over the years I have watched them grow and develop, reaching out to help so many families, but also working to improve the environment families find themselves

in through education and support. I feel very privileged to be taking on the role of Chair as the charity continues on its incredible journey.’’ David Ward, Co-Founder of Abigail’s Footsteps, said: “It’s with great pleasure, we welcome Susan Robinson to the position of Chair. We embrace her appointment as the guiding force of our charitable endeavours. Susan’s leadership will elevate our aspirations, and her presence will bring a renewed energy that will undoubtedly inspire us all. Welcome aboard, and let us forge ahead, in our commitment to helping support baby loss families in our community.”

To find out more about the work of Abigail’s Footsteps visit www.abigailsfootsteps.co.uk

CooperBurnett appoints three new Partners

The team at CooperBurnett LLP, the Tunbridge Wells-based law firm, has expanded to include three new Partners. One is Sarah Strong from the Private Client team, who has been promoted, while the other two are new appointments – David Brown, who heads up the firm’s recently-created Construction offering and Russell Brinkhurst, who joins the Corporate and Commercial team.

Highly experienced construction lawyer, David Brown, will also be working closely with team members from both Litigation and Property. His work typically involves providing dispute resolution and contract law advice.

The Corporate & Commercial team has welcomed Russell Brinkhurst as a new Partner. Having worked for a number of years at another local law firm, he already knew CooperBurnett well.

“What struck me most was what a cohesive, dynamic and enthusiastic team they were and I wanted to be part of that,” he says.

Sarah Strong has been part of the Private Client team at CooperBurnett since 2014. She recently became a full STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) member and is also a Council member of the Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & District Law Society.

“This is a real period of growth for CooperBurnett,” says Joseph Oates, Partner and Head of Litigation. “We had no hesitation in offering Sarah the role of Partner; she has assisted so many clients when they need that support most. It’s also great to have David and Russell join us – both are extremely experienced Lawyers and we know they will make a really significant impact at CooperBurnett.”

Cheryl Causebrook has joined the senior team at GVE, as the first Associate Director of GVE Commercial Solutions (Building) Ltd, a construction consultancy delivering contractual and commercial expertise to building contractors and subcontractors across the South and Southeast.

With over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry, Cheryl is a champion for collaborative working, knowledge sharing and best practice across the industry, enabling construction professionals to make successful networking connections with their peers. She has not only led the way for women in Kent construction but has made a huge contribution to the sector’s business development.

Many will be familiar with Cheryl’s work, and steadfast work ethic, as the county’s business development guru - host and organiser of three key networking events including Building Kent Connections, the Kent Chamber

of Commerce’s construction monthly KCFG (Kent Construction Focus Group) meeting and Kent Constructing Excellence. Yet, Cheryl is a quantity surveyor at heart. She started her career managing contractual negotiations on regional projects whilst working for various specialist subcontractors and through the years progressed in her career and position, eventually managing projects for large national contractors. Her new appointment at GVE Commercial Solutions (Building) Ltd will provide the opportunity to build on her commercial project experience, whilst steering her career into the direction of dispute management and construction law.

Cheryl will not only be a part of GVE’s senior team; a role which requires industry-led contributions, corporate guidance, and input into the overall direction of the business, but also part of the in-house dispute management team. GVE’s expert dispute managers prevent, manage, and resolve contractual disputes including adjudications, and providing onward support to legal teams in arbitration and litigation. Reflecting on her new appointment, Cheryl said: “I’m looking forward to

this new chapter in my construction career. This role will allow me to challenge myself and progress professionally as a specialist in construction law. I want to help others get the best results commercially for their projects by assisting and supporting negotiations, managing and resolving disputes.”

Steve Goodwin, Managing Director of GVE Commercial Solutions, said: “Cheryl is a highly respected, hardworking, experienced professional who brings with her great technical ability, people skills and current industry knowledge which is second to none. Managing construction disputes requires technical expertise, forensic analysis, and a highly specialised knowledge of the contract. Cheryl has the background and negotiation skills required to successfully navigate complex cases with construction lawyers and contractors/subcontractors.”

Matt Clark, Managing Director of GVE Commercial Solutions (Building) Ltd, said: “Cheryl’s experience and expertise will be a huge asset to the team and will further the breadth of our commercial experience to ensure we achieve the best outcomes for our clients.”

Industry leader, Cheryl Causebrook, joins GVE Commercial Solutions (Building) Limited as Associate Director

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