Agenda

Agenda Friday 13 January 2023

08.50-09.15 Networking – Kent Business School, Sibson Atrium 09.15-10.30 Welcome and opening remarks – Lecture Theatre 3 Welcome: Professor Karen Cox, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kent and Professor Marian Garcia, Dean, Kent Business School Key policy and strategic regional overviews: Councillor Roger Gough, Leader, Kent County Council; Richard Hicks, Medway Council, Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive Latest economic overview and predictions for the UK economy: Kitty Ussher – Institute of Directors (IoD), Chief Economist How to flourish – What the changing economic conditions in the South East mean for business: Adam Bryan, CEO, South East Local Economic Partnership

BREAK

10.45-11.35 Panel discussion: Discussion and debate around priority issues for business –Lecture Theatre 1 Placemaking: Can ‘Brand Kent’ draw and retain investment, businesses, jobs and talented people? A co-ordinated approach to transport infrastructure, planning and economic development Chair: Richard Hicks, Medway Council, Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive Headline Panellist: Emily Dawson, Head of Benefits, Lower Thames Crossing Panellist: Graham Galpin, High Street Expert Panellist: Professor Samer Bagaeen, Kent School of Architecture and Planning Panellist: Dierdre Wells OBE, Chief Executive, Visit Kent

BREAK Panel discussion: Discussion and debate around priority issues for business – Lecture Theatre 2 Skills: Developing culture – How can building loyalty and diversity in the workforce impact on skills, training, retention and recruitment Chair: Professor Nicholas Clarke, Deputy Dean (Planning and People), Kent Business School Headline Panellist: Rebecca Smith, CEO, Social Enterprise Kent (SEK) Panellist: Sapphira Waterson, Chief Executive Officer, Management Development Services (MDS) Panellist: Michelle Clarke-Cowell, Associate Director, Holiday Extras Panellist: Jessica Bartindale, Employability Project Manager, Social Enterprise Kent (SEK)

11.45-12.30 Panel discussion: Discussion and debate around priority issues for business –Lecture Theatre 1 Productivity: The productivity challenge –How can digital tools boost profits and drive measurable efficiency improvements? Chair: Professor Catherine Robinson, Deputy Dean (Medway), Kent Business School Headline Panellist: Richard Pilton, Managing Director, KAYO Digital Limited Panellist: Dr Maria Balta, Researcher in business model pivoting through the use of digital technologies, Kent Business School Panellist: Sally Newall, Founder and Managing Director, Simply Ice Cream

BREAK Panel discussion: Discussion and debate around priority issues for business – Lecture Theatre 2 Sustainability: Funding your green future –How sustainability can improve your business’s bottom line Chair: Martin White, Company Founder at Green Business and Construction Hub, Supply My Business and Biz Connect Radio Show Headline Panellist: Susan Elliott, Senior Manager, South East UK, British Business Bank Panellist: Paul Gannaway, Director, Betteridge and Milsom (B&M) Panellist: Josh Pitman, Managing Director, Priory Direct Panellist: Lisa Carlson, Chief Executive, Canterbury Business Improvement District (BID)

12.45-13.30 Business partnerships, keynote and closing remarks – Lecture Theatre 3 Showcase of collaboration success – Knowledge Transfer Partnership: Kent Business School and Port of Dover Professor Kathy Kotiadis, Operational Research, Kent Business School and Timothy van Vugt, Strategy Manager, Dover Harbour Board Keynote inspirational speaker – Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE 1.30-14.30 Kentish buffet lunch (Atrium) – Enjoy a buffet of delicious Kentish produce, network and take your lunch into one of our three drop-in sessions, below 14.00 Chartered Directors Insights – (MBA Suite) Are you a director or strategic business leader? being prepared for your responsibilities can affect the growth of your business Presentation and Q&A delivered by Institute of Directors professional Chartered Directors (CDir) 13.30-14.30 Pitching session (Seminar Room 2) – The founders of three Kent-based high-growth businesses will be pitching to showcase their exciting innovations. Growing Kent & Medway Food Accelerator businesses 13.30-14.30 Quiz the Experts (Atrium) –Find out more about grant funding and support available to Kent business University of Kent, Kent Business School, Innovate UK EDGE, Kent Growth Space Initiative, Growing Kent & Medway, University of Kent – Future Human