7 minute read
Rate respite for businesses after tough Budget
The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 4.75% - the second cut in the base rate this year having come down from 5.25% to 5% in August.
David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said the further interest rate cut is “some good news for firms”.
“The cost of borrowing remains a major barrier to investment,” he said.
“Our research shows less than a quarter of companies boosted investment in Q3. The economy will continue to struggle until this changes.
“The continued easing of inflation is likely to translate into further gradual rate cuts. However, there could be some bumps on the way. Services inflation remains stubborn, and major global conflicts continue to bring uncertainty. A decisive Trump Presidential victory has powered US stocks to all-time highs, but a policy of tariffs could be inflationary.
“We’re expecting to see a number of longterm plans from the UK Government early next year covering infrastructure, investment and trade. It’s critical that these plans are outlined
Every month we bring you a mix of information sessions, networking events 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 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.
Business Talks
Business Talks
Christmas Jumper Day Photoshoot
Christmas Jumper Day Photoshoot
Thursday 12th December 2024
Thursday 12th December 2024
RG Studios, Ashford | 10:30am - 12:00pm
RG Studios, Ashford | 10:30am - 12:00pm
Members: £5.00 + VAT | Non-Members: £15.00 + VAT
Members: £5.00 + VAT | Non-Members: £15.00 + VAT
Join us for our Christmas Special networking event, hosted in collaboration with Square Stone Media’s Operations.
Join us for our Christmas Special networking event, hosted in collaboration with Square Stone Media’s Operations.
Enjoy a morning of networking in this one-of-a-kind venue, and don’t forget to wear your most festive Christmas jumper for a themed photoshoot.
Enjoy a morning of networking in this one-of-a-kind venue, and don’t forget to wear your most festive Christmas jumper for a themed photoshoot.
We’ll also have the chance to learn more about Border Point’s operations and explore the studio firsthand.
We’ll also have the chance to learn more about Border Point’s operations and explore the studio firsthand.
Members Only Showcase
Members Only Showcase
Tuesday 21st January 2025
Tuesday 21st January 2025
Kent Invicta Chamber, Ashford | 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Kent Invicta Chamber, Ashford | 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Members Only: Free to Attend
Members Only: Free to Attend
Join us for the launch of our Member-Only events and enjoy exclusive networking opportunities.
Join us for the launch of our Member-Only events and enjoy exclusive networking opportunities.
Come and meet Chief Executive, Tudor Price, and Membership Development Managers, Kaz, Marion, and Victoria, who will each select one member to showcase their business with a 3-minute presentation.
Come and meet Chief Executive, Tudor Price, and Membership Development Managers, Kaz, Marion, and Victoria, who will each select one member to showcase their business with a 3-minute presentation.
You can also enjoy a complimentary grazing lunch.
You can also enjoy a complimentary grazing lunch.
Chamber Connections
Chamber Connections
Thursday 5th December 2024, Chilston Park Hotel, Lenham
Thursday 5th December 2024, Chilston Park Hotel, Lenham
Thursday 23rd January 2025, Jaguar Land Rover, Tonbridge 10:30am - 12:00pm
Thursday 23rd January 2025, Jaguar Land Rover, Tonbridge
10:30am - 12:00pm
Members: Free to Attend | Non-Members: £30.00 + VAT
Members: Free to Attend | Non-Members: £30.00 + VAT
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.
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 with local businesses in Kent.
This informal event will give you an opportunity to promote your business and make invaluable connections with local businesses in Kent.
Kent Construction Focus Group
Kent Construction Focus Group
Tuesday 3rd December 2024 (Christmas Special) | Tuesday 7th January 2025
Tuesday 3rd December 2024 (Christmas Special) | Tuesday 7th January 2025
The Village Hotel, Maidstone | 7:30am - 9:30am KCFG Members: £22.50 + VAT | Non-Members: £32.50 + VAT
The Village Hotel, Maidstone | 7:30am - 9:30am KCFG Members: £22.50 + VAT | Non-Members: £32.50 + VAT
The KCFG group is made up of companies in the Kent area within the construction sector, including architects, contractors, suppliers, land agents, and more. KCFG provides a one-stop shop for access to local knowledge, expertise, and contacts within the land development and construction sector.
The KCFG group is made up of companies in the Kent area within the construction sector, including architects, contractors, suppliers, land agents, and more. KCFG provides a one-stop shop for access to local knowledge, expertise, and contacts within the land development and construction sector.
During the morning, you will enjoy a full English breakfast, followed by a presentation from our guest speakers.
During the morning, you will enjoy a full English breakfast, followed by a presentation from our guest speakers.
Virtual Business Networking
Virtual Business Networking
Tuesday 10th December 2024 | Tuesday 28th January 2025
Tuesday 10th December 2024 | Tuesday 28th January 2025
Online via Zoom | 10:30am - 12:00pm
Online via Zoom | 10:30am - 12:00pm
Members: Free to Attend | Non-Members: £30.00 + VAT
Members: Free to Attend | Non-Members: £30.00 + VAT
Kent Construction Focus Group
Christmas Special
Tuesday 3rd December 2024 | 7:30am - 9:30am
The Village Hotel, Forstal Road, Maidstone, ME14 3AQ
Chamber Connections Christmas Special
Thursday 5th December 2024 | 10:30am - 12:00pm
Chilston Park Hotel, Sandway, Lenham, ME17 2BE
Virtual Business Networking
Tuesday 10th December 2024 | 10:30am - 12:00pm Online via Zoom
Business Talks
Christmas Jumper Day Photoshoot
Thursday 12th December 2024 | 10:30am - 12:00pm
RG Studios, 25 Bank Street, Ashford, TN23 1DG
Kent Construction Focus Group
Annual Christmas Drinks & Networking
Tuesday 17th December 2024 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm Matches Sports Bar & Social, Ashford, TN23 1AX
Kent Construction Focus Group
Member Presentations
Tuesday 7th January 2025 | 7:30am - 9:30am
The Village Hotel, Forstal Road, Maidstone, ME14 3AQ
Business Bites
Will AI Really Transform Your Business
Thursday 16th January 2025 | 1:00pm - 1:30pm Online via Zoom
Member’s Only Showcase
Every month we bring you a mix of information sessions, networking some of the top local business professionals from an array of invaluable up-to-date information tailored to our attendee’s wants help you grow your business.
With a mix of events held online and face to face across Kent,
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.
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.
Tuesday 21st January 2025 | 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Ashford, TN24 0LH
Kent Construction Focus Group
Conversations with our guest speaker will be followed by three breakout room sessions where attendees can delve deeper into this discussion or discuss their own topic in more depth.
Conversations with our guest speaker will be followed by three breakout room sessions where attendees can delve deeper into this discussion or discuss their own topic in more depth.
Will AI Really Transform Your Business
Will AI Really Transform Your Business
Thursday 16th January 2025
Thursday 16th January 2025
Online via Zoom | 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Online via Zoom | 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Members: Free to Attend | Non-Members: Free to Attend
Members: Free to Attend | Non-Members: Free to Attend
Chamber Connections
Jaguar Land Rover Tonbridge (Sponsored by Buss Murton Law)
Tuesday 6th August 2024 | Tuesday 3rd September 2024
Thursday 23rd January 2025 | 10:30am - 12:00pm
The Village Hotel, Maidstone | 7:30am - 9:30am
KCFG Members: £22.50 + VAT | Non-Members: £32.50 + VAT
Stratstone Jaguar Tonbridge, Tonbridge, TN11 0FU
Virtual Business Networking
Hosted by members of the KCFG committee, Cheryl Causebrook and Ella Brocklebank, we bring you KCFG
We are officially entering a new era of technology, but what can artificial intelligence do for small and medium-sized businesses today?
We are officially entering a new era of technology, but what can artificial intelligence do for small and medium-sized businesses today?
Tuesday 28th January 2025 | 10:30am - 12:00pm Online via Zoom
The KCFG group consists of companies in the Kent area involved in construction, such as architects, surveyors, contractors, construction suppliers, and land agents etc.
Kent And Medway Manufacturing Focus Group
Wednesday 29th January 2025 | 12:00pm - 2:00pm Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0TG
Kent Construction Focus Group
Tuesday 4th February 2025 | 7:30am - 9:30am
The Village Hotel, Maidstone, ME14 3AQ
KCFG provides a one-stop-shop for access to local knowledge, expertise, and contacts within the land development and construction sector.
Nick Ellis, AI and Automation Lead at Select Technology, will talk you through the opportunities to drive growth and efficiency in your organisation, plus deliver a real-time demo so you can experience Microsoft’s Copilot for yourself. Change is coming, so you might as well be ready for it!
Nick Ellis, AI and Automation Lead at Select Technology, will talk you through the opportunities to drive growth and efficiency in your organisation, plus deliver a real-time demo so you can experience Microsoft’s Copilot for yourself. Change is coming, so you might as well be ready for it!
Chamber Connections – Holiday Inn Ashford North
During the morning, you will enjoy a full English breakfast, followed by a presentation from our guest speakers.
Thursday 6th February 2025 | 10:30am - 12:00pm
Holiday Inn Ashford North, Ashford, TN26 1AR
