Skills

Speaker profiles

Bal Sandher, Managing Director, Hectic Lifestyles A multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Bal has grown his business to £12 million turnover with just £1,200 initial capital and no outside investment. Starting with selling one product online after a bad knee injury left him unable to walk in 2009, the business now employs over 50 staff, and opens a second manufacturing facility in 2022, with plans for an extra 25 staff. He is a Kent University alumnus, graduating in 2007 with a BSc in Biomedical Sciences. He still regularly works with the University with focus on assisting the next generation of budding entrepreneurs. Outside of work he enjoys playing guitar and doing the odd spot of DIY.

Stuart Tanton, Director, Kent Foundation Stuart has been the Director of the Kent Foundation since 2017. The Kent Foundation is a charity that supports young people (18-30) to start and grow businesses in Kent. He has an extensive range of experience prior to joining The Kent Foundation as a business owner himself, a lead on various projects within Kent that support young people, training and supporting organisations within the voluntary sector, and a long career in publishing.

Steve Samson, Trade Development Manager, Kent County Council Part of Steve’s role is to develop ways to encourage more Kent companies to consider exporting as a way of growing their business. He leads the Kent International Business programme which includes organisations such as the Department for International Trade, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Europe Network and the Institute of Directors. Steve has organised many trade missions, market insight visits, training sessions and Kent Pavilions at international trade shows as well as providing microfinancing to help Kent exporters develop their international offer.

Skills

Gavin Cleary, CEO, Locate in Kent Prior to becoming CEO of Locate in Kent, the official inward investment agency for Kent and Medway, Gavin ran an economic development consultancy focused on the financial services sector, working with Fintech businesses to support growth on a global scale. Prior to this, Gavin built deep expertise in foreign direct investment and international trade, working with clients across Europe, the United States, South America and Asia. He also acted on behalf of UK Trade and Investment, leading a team focused on achieving investment and trade for the financial and professional services sectors.

Victoria Copp-Crawley, Principal, Canterbury College Victoria has been occupying Principal roles across the county since the start of the 2014/15 academic year. Prior to the formation of EKC Group, Victoria worked for East Kent College and was Principal of the Dover and Folkestone Campuses.