5th annual Kent and Medway Business Summit - Delegate Pack 2022

5th annual

Business resilience, renewal and strategy for return to growth Delegate pack 2022

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Contents

Welcome

Everything you need to know

On behalf of our Summit partners the Federation of Small Businesses, the Institute of Directors and Locate in Kent, Kent Business School looks forward to welcoming you to the 5th Kent and Medway Business Summit.

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Getting here

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Connecting to wifi

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Agenda and timings

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Speaker profiles 10

Placemaking

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Productivity

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Skills

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Sustainable innovation

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Sustainable finance

Business insight 17

What do directors want in 2022?

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5 crucial challenges facing business

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Export post-Brexit and post Covid-19

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Business optimism remains high

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Funding your move to a sustainable future

Stay in touch 26

About our sponsors

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Summit partners

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Future events

In this constantly changing business landscape, there has never been a greater need for a place where businesses, politicians, local government, key policy makers and academics can come together and build a roadmap for sustainable economic growth.

With a core focus on sustainable innovation and the need for us all to address the climate emergency, the Summit proves the opportunity for us all to build a shared vision for the future of our region.

Marking a welcome return to in-person events, we want you to use this day to discuss, inform, influence and, above all, collaborate.

We want to hear about all the best practice and exciting projects that keep Kent and Medway a dynamic, innovative, diverse, forward-thinking and outward-looking place where people want to live, work, learn and visit.

We hope you enjoy the content in this delegate pack, which we are sending electronically rather than printing. It contains not just everything you need to know to join the summit, but articles offering business insight on everything from the legal landscape to exporting.

All event partners would like to thank headline sponsors Kreston Reeves and Thomson Snell & Passmore, and supporting sponsors British Business Bank without whose financial support the Summit would not have been possible. Thanks also go to KMTV and our official media partner KM Media Group.

Please share the day on social media, using the hashtag #KandMBusinessSummit.

If you wish to receive regular updates about next year’s Summit, please join the Kent and Medway Business Summit group on LinkedIn. We wish you a very constructive and enjoyable day.

Prof Marian Garcia, Dean, Kent Business School

#KandMBusinessSummit

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Attending the Summit We look forward to welcoming you to the 5th Kent and Medway Business Summit.

Here is some information to help make your day run smoothly.

Location University of Kent, Kent Business School, Sibson, Park Wood Road, Canterbury, CT2 7FS.

Getting here The campus has excellent transport links and is easily reached by road, rail and bus.

For more information on travel go to www.kent.ac.uk/locations/canterbury/directions If you are driving to campus you will need to provide your car registration number in advance as part of the registration process and follow directions to car parks. Follow directions to the Giles Lane car park (CT27BQ) where spaces have been reserved for Summit visitors. Campus map www.kent.ac.uk/maps/canterbury/canterbury-campus

Accessibility There is accessible parking immediately outside Sibson building, please display your blue badge to park in these spaces.

Taxis are able to drop-off and collect from waiting bays outside the building. A bus stop is immediately opposite the building.

There are accessible entrances on both sides of Sibson and lifts to all floors of the building.

There are accessible toilets on all levels of Sibson.

If you require a personal assistant or companion, they will not be charged for a ticket.

Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.

To discuss access, or other, requirements please call Rebecca Smith on 01227 816492 or email R.B.Smith@kent.ac.uk

Share your news at the Summit

Your views count

After such a long time apart, we’re all looking forward to being together and sharing in-person interaction.

We would like to hear your views and experience of the current business landscape to inform our discussions at the Summit and in feedback on the day.

To further increase the collaboration potential we’re inviting you to share your news, opportunities and views on our ‘share board’.

Located in the central atrium space, the share board is a place to share your interests and opportunities. So, when you come to the Summit, bring a business card, flyer or leaflet and we’ll provide blank cards for you to add further details.

Let’s bring Kent and Medway businesses together to create a stronger, better future.

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Please scan this QR code to take a brief two-minute survey.

Thank you.

Connecting to guest Wi-Fi Android device shown, but laptops and Apple devices similar

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Open and look for WiFi Guest.

Select it and either wait for a message to log in or go to your device’s web browser

If a message shows on your status bar, tap it

In your device’s web browser, you need to get to this screen.

If this has not happened try browsing to www.kent.ac.uk In the middle section in blue, click or tap on the “continue” button

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At the login screen, either enter your login (if you have used the Guest WiFi before or if you are a Sky customer), otherwise click or tap on Create Account

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Enter your details in the form as required, and set yourself a username and password. Once done you will be returned to the login screen. A red asterix denotes a required field.

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Login with the combination you just created, and you will now be connected to WiFi

Celebrating Kent’s T20 Success Celebrating the success of Kent’s professional Men’s team who scooped their first trophy in 14 years, the Vitality Blast, at Edgbaston in September the Summit will proudly host the T20 trophy.

Kent Women won both competitions they contested – our first Women’s London Championship 50-over title, as well as the ECB’s County T20 South East Group win.

Looking ahead to the upcoming Summer, KCCC is focusing in the short term on ‘getting the game on’ and ensuring a full programme of professional and recreational cricket across Kent in 2022. Kent Cricket CEO, Simon Story, will be speaking about the role of sport in placemaking as part of the Summit.

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Agenda Wednesday 27 April 2022 08.50-09.20

Registration and coffee, tea, breakfast rolls in the Atrium

09.20-09.40

Welcome and opening remarks – Deborah Turner, Federation of Small Businesses National Lead for Women in Enterprise and Professor Karen Cox, Vice Chancellor University of Kent

09.40-10.10

The UK Economy: Insights and trends for 2022 and beyond – Kitty Ussher, Chief Economist, Institute of Directors

10.10-10.30

Productive, Sustainable, Inclusive: Kent’s Economic Strategy towards 2030 – Cllr Roger Gough, Leader, Kent County Council Our future is Medway: Major projects and regional strategy – Richard Hicks, Director of Place, Deputy Chief Executive, Medway Council

10.30-10.45

The London Resort: Updates, latest news and leveraging the business opportunity – Andy Martin, Director of Communications and Strategy, London Resort Company Holdings

10.45-11.15

Break and networking

11.15-12.30

Collaborative workshops (places must have been booked in advance) 1

Place-making: Realising the potential of our cultural and creative industries (Seminar Room 6)

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Productivity: How to build resilience and increase productivity in SMEs (Seminar Room 2)

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The future of work: skilling, retaining and attracting talent within the region in a postpandemic landscape. (ASPIRE Executive teaching suite)

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Sustainable innovation: A route map to a sustainable Kent and Medway (Seminar Room 1)

The following presentations will take place concurrently.

11.15- 12.00

Panel discussion: Aligning profit and purpose: finance and the journey to net zero (Lecture Theatre 2)

12.00-12.30

My vision for Kent and Medway: An in conversation with Liz Gibney, chair Kent and Medway Partnership, Partner Lee Evans Partnership (Lecture Theatre 2)

12.30-12.45

Comfort break

12.45-1.15

Final Keynote: 5 in 5: Five Innovations That Will Change Our Lives Within Five Years (Lecture Theatre 3)

13.15-13.30

Closing remarks

13.30-14.30

Buffet lunch, refreshments & networking

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Speaker profiles

Keynote speaker: 5 in 5: Five innovations which will change our lives in 5 years Professor Andy Stanford-Clark, IBM Distinguished Engineer, Master Inventor Professor Andy Stanford-Clark leads transformational innovation projects for clients as part of IBM's Corporate Strategy organisation. He is an IBM Distinguished Engineer, a Master Inventor with more than 40 patents, and leads IBM's Quantum Ambassador team in the UK. Andy is based at IBM's Hursley Park laboratories near Winchester, and has been working in the area that we now call the Internet of Things for more than 20 years. He has a BSc in Computing and Mathematics, and a PhD in Computer Science. He is a Visiting Professor at the University of Newcastle, an Honorary Professor at the University of East Anglia, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southampton, and a Fellow of the British Computer Society.

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Deborah Turner, Summit Chair, founder of Deborah Turner Ltd, National Policy Chair for Women in Enterprise, Federation of Small Businesses A chartered surveyor providing property asset management advice to clients, Deborah Turner works mainly with local authorities, assisting them to make best use of their property assets.

Dedicated to supporting small businesses, Deborah is the Federation of Small Businesses National Policy Lead for Women in Business.

She is co-founder of Breakthrough Women, a not-forprofit organisation, hosting events focused for women at work who want to meet likeminded women and hear from real role models.

Deborah recently joined the advisory board for University of Kent’s Kent Business School MBA Programme.

Kitty Ussher, Chief Economist, Institute of Directors Kitty Ussher is a UK macroeconomist and public policy research professional, and works as the Chief Economist at the Institute of Directors.

A former MP for Burnley, she served as Economic Secretary to the Treasury (“City minister”) during the early phase of the financial crisis and subsequently as a junior minister at the Department for Work and Pensions.

She then moved to the private sector, delivering public policy thought leadership research projects for large corporates and charities. She has served on the FCA consumer panel and in addition to her work at the IoD is also a NED for an asset manager and a fast-growing fintech.

Professor Karen Cox, Vice Chancellor, University of Kent Professor Karen Cox joined the University of Kent as ViceChancellor and President in August 2018.

Karen is a Board Member/Trustee of the Nursing & Midwifery Council and a Board Director for the Universities & Colleges Employers Association. She is also an Associate NonExecutive Director for the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. Other roles include Director/HE representative for the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, Board Member of the Kent Surrey Sussex Applied Research Collaborative and Member of the University of Kent Multi Academy Trust.

Karen has a nursing background and her research interests have focused on cancer and palliative care.

Before joining the University of Kent, Karen had served as Head of the School of Nursing, Pro ViceChancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nottingham.

Marian Garcia, Dean, Kent Business School Professor Marian Garcia is a Professor of Marketing and Innovation and Dean of Kent Business School, University of Kent.

Marian is also Director of Kent Business School Open Innovation Network and has worked with businesses and public sector on customer-driven business model innovation.

She is internationally known for her research on open innovation management and product development by businesses working collaboratively with customers.

Liz Gibney, Chairman of the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership (KMEP), Partner, Master Planner & Urban Designer at Lee Evans Partnership Liz Gibney was appointed as Chairman of the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership (KMEP) on April 1 2022, having been a board member on KMEP since 2020.

Liz Gibney is a Partner at Lee Evans Partnership since the start of 2019. Liz has extensive architectural, master planning and urban regeneration experience.

In 2013 she co-founded the charity ‘Dover smART Project’. The charity aims to provide support to people within her home community of Dover through creative arts projects, helping them to discover their potential, a sense of belonging within their community, and to develop personal confidence.

Liz is also a respected design advisor for Design South East, and currently chairs its Ashford and Swale Design Panels. She has also previously been an advisor to the Essex Design Advisory Panel the Building Schools for the Future initiative.

Liz is a Board Member of the South East LEP, and chairs their coastal communities working group.

She is a Patron of the Invicta Chamber of Commerce and has chaired Canterbury for Business since May 2021.

Cllr Roger Gough, Leader, Kent County Council Roger Gough became Leader of Kent County Council in October 2019 after more than six years as the Cabinet Member for Education and then children’s services more generally. He has been the Member for Darent Valley, Sevenoaks, since May 2013.

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Speaker profiles After gaining a first class honours degree from Oxford University, Roger worked in Japan for three years as a financial sector analyst, followed by more than 10 years in London for various investment banks.

Andy’s PR career spans some twenty years and combines a career rooted in politics and media relations with a track record in property and regeneration across the UK.

Before his election to KCC, Roger’s political life included two years with the Conservative Party’s Democracy Task Force and a further three years as a Research Director at the Policy Exchange.

Placemaking

He has written two books and many shorter publications on local government, constitutional issues and international affairs.

Richard Hicks, Deputy Chief Executive, Director of Place, Medway Council As Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive, Richard drives the delivery of the council’s placemaking agenda, seeking to establish Medway as a great place to live, to work, to learn and to visit.

Richard has responsibility for Frontline Services, Culture and Community, Regeneration and Communications and Marketing.

Richard has held a number of roles at Medway since its inception in 1998, and before that time worked in a range of positions across Kent County Council, both at corporate and service level.

Andy Martin, Director of Communications and Strategy, London Resort Company Holdings Andy Martin has been working with the London Resort since the project was first thought of back in 2011. In those years his role has morphed from external communications agency advisor managing consultation and stakeholder relations to Director of Strategy and Communications managing engagement with all partners.

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Lisa Carlson, CEO, Canterbury Business Improvement District and Chair, Association of Town and City Management Lisa Carlson is CEO of the Canterbury Business Improvement District, leading multiple forums and working groups representing business interests across a range of topics from inward investment and destination management to climate change and safety and security. She represents the BID as a Board Director of Canterbury for Business, the Canterbury Climate Action Partnership, and Chairs Canterbury in Bloom.

Lisa is also Chair of the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), representing the town and city management industry across the UK and Ireland. She represents Canterbury and the ATCM on the High Streets Task Force Sector Leaders Group and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Towns and City Centres.

Lisa previously worked at the World Bank in Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development, as a researcher at the London School of Economics and has a background in media and operations in the charity sector.

Simon Storey, Chief Executive, Kent Cricket Simon Storey joined Kent Cricket as Chief Executive Officer in November 2018 after six years as CEO at Derbyshire CCC. Before entering the world of sporting administration in 2012, he enjoyed a successful

career in sales, marketing and senior management at Johnson & Johnson, both in the UK and overseas.

He has served on the ECB Executive Committee as a representative of Non-Test Grounds, and led Derby’s successful bid to be an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup host city in 2017. Under his stewardship, Kent Cricket has seen success on and off the playing field including the recent Men’s T20 Vitality Blast success in 2021. A believer that sport can be a powerful force for good in the community, Simon has championed the development of partnerships with Visit Kent, Canterbury 4 Business, Canterbury BID and Canterbury City Council.

Emma Wilcox, Director, Creative Estuary Emma has over 20 years’ experience working across the creative industries. Since 2008 she has worked in cultural policy and arts management, developing national and regional strategy and policy for the creative economy, place-making and sustainable growth.

Prior to 2008, Emma worked in the commercial design sector as an account director for clients including Mars, Hasbro and Buena Vista Entertainment. She is a trustee of People United, a Kent-based charity using creativity to encourage empathy and kindness and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts.

Peter Hawkes, Turner Contemporary Trustee Peter was Senior Partner of the regional law firm Furley Page until his retirement last year.

Peter’s professional practice focused around commercial dispute resolution, advising a wide range of clients in both the private and public sector, including many not-for-profit organisations.

Peter has been closely involved in helping support business growth and development in the south east through membership of various advisory boards including KCC’s Business Advisory Board, Canterbury For Business and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

Peter has had a long-standing involvement in supporting the Arts; he sees the vital role which the Arts play in creating a vibrant place to live and work, and he has encouraged business engagement with this sector. Peter is a Vice President of the Canterbury Festival and a Patron of Turner Contemporary.

Productivity Dr Zita Stone, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Postgraduate Student Experience (Taught), Senior Lecturer in Management, Kent Business School Zita is a passionate educator with leadership experience in the management of undergraduate and postgraduate courses portfolio, with direct responsibilty for quaility assurance and quality enhancement. Zita has a proven track record of excelling in combining theoretical and business best practices, implementing innovative solutions to facilitate student learning, staff development and business solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Zita is an engaged partner with enterprise and KBS Alumni and successfully manages consultancy projects for SMEs. Currently, Zita is leading a Kent County Council (KCC) Research project on The Internationalisation of SMEs in Kent post Covid-19.

This is a second phase of a 2016 project in which Zita participated and focused on The Internationalisation of SMEs in Kent post Brexit. Further, Zita maintains strong industry relationships via her Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and Institute of Directors (IoD) membership.

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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.

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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.

Victoria is passionate about Sport and experienced great success as a National Competitor in Squash both individually and in the England Squad. These achievements and competitive drive led Victoria to achieve her Sports Science Degree and Masters in Education and progress in her career in the Education Sector. Victoria is a practising Ofsted Inspector and passionate to ensure students are inspired through excellent education supporting them in their next steps. Victoria is married and has two young children and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Gillian Monk JP DipOH, Managing Director, All Health Matters Gill’s background includes sales, commerce, medical and legal experience and she is responsible for driving the business forward to achieve sustainable growth without compromising quality.

She began her company in a garden shed nearly 12 years ago.

Now employing 23+ people, with offices in London, Kent and Sussex, in 2021 Gill formed a Trust and converted the company to that of the ‘employee ownership’ model, creating a legacy which benefits all employees, present and future.

Wife, Mum, Grandmother, Magistrate and member of several committees, Gill has many stories to tell.

Dr Lex Mauger, Reader in Exercise Physiology, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Kent.

His research primarily investigates the body’s perceptual response to exercise, and how painful and unpleasant sensations might impair exercise performance or capacity. In this field he has worked with a number of businesses and tech startups, working on projects including ‘smart’ pressure sensitise insoles, holographic heads-up display goggle mounts, and immersive learning platforms that integrate wearables.

Dr Sarah Hotham, Senior Research Fellow and BPS Chartered Psychologist based at the Centre for Health Service Studies (CHSS) Sarah’s expertise is in applied public health research and behavioural psychology. She has successfully secured funding from the NIHR, Local Authorities, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) and Voluntary Community & Social Enterprise organisations to develop, implement and evaluate behaviour change interventions and prevention schemes. Sarah also leads a portfolio of projects focused on social prescribing and the training of healthcare professionals in primary care.

Professor Aylish Wood, Professor of Film, School of Arts My research is informed by an interest in the relationships between technology and moving image media. Since undertaking a PhD on images of technoscience in American Cinema, I have developed a cross media approach, working with animation, digital games, installation art and cinema. Areas of study have included images of humans and technologies, and the impact of digital media on the creative work in the industries of cinema, animation, and digital games.

Sustainable innovation Kresse Wesling CBE, founder Elvis and Kresse, co-farmer, New Barns Farm Kresse is a multi-award winning environmental entrepreneur and Young Global Leader with a background in venture capital and significant start-up experience.

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Speaker profiles After first meeting with the London Fire Brigade in 2005, Kresse launched Elvis & Kresse, which turns industrial waste into innovative lifestyle products and returns 50% of profits to charities related to the waste. Elvis & Kresse’s first line is made from decommissioned fire hose, 50% of the profits from this line are donated to the Fire Fighters Charity. The company now collects 12 different waste streams, has several charitable partnerships and is involved with collaborations across industries, from fashion houses to FTSE 100 companies etc.

Simon Barnes, Funding and Partnerships Development Manager, University of Kent Simon’s role is to create and build links between academics and industry to solve challenges through a combination of new technology, business systems and leadership.

Simon began his career in 1982 at the Port of Dover and since then has worked in supply chains and industry for Whitbread and SCA, as well as in the marine, automotive and grocery sectors. Supply chains and business systems have been a common thread of Simon’s work.

Simon has a post-graduate diploma with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership and is a Business Fellow of the Connected Places Catapult.

Dan Crooks, Director, iFruit iFruit is a fresh produce company supplying both continental and UK retailers. In its tenth year, it also is delivering to new online retail platforms, kitchen retail and has a diverse wholesale client base nationwide in the UK. It is one of the first carbon negative companies in the sector.

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Prior to forming iFruit with his European partners, Dan’s career started at the Fresca Group, in quality control finally becoming commercial director of one of the largest fresh produce companies in Europe spanning an 18 year period.

Sustainable finance Susan Elliott, Senior Manager, UK Network – South East, British Business Bank Susan is an experienced commercial professional working with British Business Bank stakeholders, intermediaries and delivery partners to help smaller business plan for and access the finance best suited to their needs. Her knowledge and strong connections in the funding and business support community developed through co-founding and running her own consulting business, providing strategic advice for scale ups, delivering a number of business accelerator programmes, managing public sector business support contracts and through partnerships with sources of finance for small and mid-sized businesses.

Rob Robinson, Sustainable Business Project Manager, Low Carbon Kent Rob’s knowledge and expertise is in all things sustainability and resource efficiency, community and business engagement, building surveying, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, medico-legal. Rob has a wide variety of skills and experience through his work in the public, private and third sector in a range of industries. Rob has worked on various EU Resource Efficiency projects over the past 10 years. Originally graduating in Biomedical Science he was in Pharmaceuticals for 5 years before moving into building energy surveys and helping first embed sustainability into their operations and business plans.

Fleur Record Smith, Founder at Hayne House Wedding Venue From when she graduated from business school Fleur has run her own businesses. Fleur’s current business is a unique wedding venue, and has been a labour of love, refurbishing and extending her family home. Hayne House in Kent is developing in line with Fleur’s desire to live in a more sustainable world and she focuses on the venue's transition to a sustainable business model and a net zero venue. She seeks to work with others in the sector to bring long term changes to the weddings and events industry and make use of the venue as a space to promote sustainability initiatives. Fleur hopes to collaborate more with others in the industry to adopt more sustainable practices and share her challenges along the way.

Cam Ross, CEO, Green Angels Syndicate Green Angel Syndicate (GAS) is one of the largest angel syndicates in the UK and specialises in the fight against Climate Change. Prior to joining GAS, Cam co-founded, jointly ran and raised two rounds of angel funding for a contact centre payments business, with an exit to AIM-listed Eckoh. Cam is an Aeronautical Engineer by training, and has experience in creating, commercialising and patenting new technology. He has more than fifteen granted patents in the fields of telecommunications, payments and customer authentication. The unique specialisation of GAS, alongside the knowledge and experience of its members, creates exciting opportunities for investment and input to a growing portfolio of companies to increase their positive impact on reducing CO2 and other greenhouse gases.

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We can help your business find a way Get your business ready for tomorrow with free financial tools and information british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-hub/ British Business Bank plc (crn: 08616013)

What do directors want in 2022?

Kitty Ussher, Chief Economist, Institute of Directors

2022 has been an uncertain year for business so far, with Omicron threatening the economic recovery from Covid at the end of 2021, the energy crisis increasing costs for business, and the crisis in Ukraine posing further uncertainty not to mention acute supply chain issues for some industries.

Despite these difficulties, the economy had a strong start to the year, shrugging off concerns over Omicron and getting back to business in January before the Plan B restrictions were fully relaxed.

IoD members are broadly optimistic about the future prospects of their organisations: their organisations have plans to grow and expect revenues to rise in 2022. The number of businesses who plan to raise levels of investment is higher than those planning to reduce investment.

However, that is not to say that the year ahead won’t present difficulties, with rising inflation now hardwired into routine business decisions, costs expected to rise particularly fast over the next 12 months and the longer-term impact of the Ukraine crisis is still uncertain. The key question as we go into April is whether consumer confidence will remain sufficiently strong to keep the economy growing.

As highlighted in the IoD’s short report, What Do Directors Want in 2022?, we went into 2022 with the areas of highest concern for business being the wider UK macroeconomic environment, skills shortages, and international trade.

Following Brexit and the difficulties that the transition to the new trading relationship with the EU has presented for exporters, there is a need to rebuild confidence in trade and support British exporters to find new opportunities in the wider world. April’s increase in National Insurance contributions will present significant difficulties for organisations and will feed into the wider cost of living crisis and squeeze on business finances.

Since that report was published, rising energy costs have highlighted the urgent need for business to transition to green energy alternatives; with a new focus on energy security and their decision to transition away from Russian oil and gas by the end of 2022, the government is also now focused on the need to transition away from reliance on fossil fuels.

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Better directors for a better world No matter how big, small, local or global your business is, whether you work from home or an office, the Institute of Directors (IoD) is here to support you through the months ahead and beyond.

Join us. iod.com/join

5 crucial challenges facing business Jason Varney, Partner, Corporate & Commercial,Thomson Snell & Passmore

As the events of the last two years have shown, you certainly cannot predict the future; but you can prepare for it. With the geo-political and social landscape becoming increasingly volatile and fast moving, more than ever, businesses need access to trusted advice and support that can help them rapidly adapt and find a way to thrive in the face of change.

Our commercial teams have outlined the key challenges they see businesses facing over the coming year.

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Supply chain issues

Supply chains have been disrupted by a range of factors including higher fuel prices, the Covid pandemic, Brexit, staff shortages and of course the continuing awful events in Ukraine. Given the uncertainties that follow from these concerns, business owners from across the various industries are naturally looking for ways to better protect their existing supply chains. Management teams would be wise to be extra vigilant when drafting and reviewing their supplier agreements to help guard against some of these issues (as far as is possible).

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ESG, with a particular focus on sustainability

ESG (Environmental, Social, and (Corporate) Governance) has been high on the agenda for a while, but its importance has been turbo charged by the recent COP26 summit. This is a particularly fast moving area and it is likely that a renewed focus on pushing forward with ESG programmes will quickly filter down to the mid-market and SME space.

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Industrial and distribution space in high demand

Activity in the sale and letting of industrial and distribution warehousing and cold storage is seeing a period of rapid growth as consumer online demand and requirement for rapid delivery continues to grow.

There is currently a shortfall of quality warehousing and logistics space, and so this trend looks set to continue.

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Director and shareholder disagreements

Many leadership teams have recently had to make difficult and perhaps unusual decisions against a backdrop of unprecedented Government restrictions, unpredictable trading conditions and an uncertain economic outlook. The repercussions of some of these decisions, viewed now with the benefit of hindsight, may well provide a catalyst for disputes between directors and/or shareholders, if they have not already.

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Increased M&A activity

The Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) boom looks set to continue for the foreseeable future, and while sustained levels of M&A activity are to be welcomed for many reasons, we would urge businesses not to get caught up in the “feeding frenzy” of activity. For those looking to sell or secure investment, it is crucial that the board is clear on their business model and growth strategy; and from a legal perspective, that their “corporate” house is in order.

Our commercial teams are always looking one step ahead to help businesses strategise and plan for the future. Please do get in touch should you wish to discuss: info@ts-p.co.uk.

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Kent Business School is in the 1% of top global institutions to gain ‘Triple Crown’ accreditation. At Kent Business School we actively seek to connect with businesses locally, regionally and globally for a wide variety of collaborations and partnerships.

How we can help • Engage with our Small Business Clinic to get sound advice from industry experts • Join our networking events live and online to challenge, inspire and debate • Leverage our world-class academic community through funding including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships to turbo-charge your business • Connect with our students who bring fresh ideas and specialised knowledge to your business, from year-long placements to shorter projects

Find our more: www.kent.ac.uk/kent-business-school/business E: KBSBusiness@kent.ac.uk

Making the most of exports post-Brexit and post Covid-19 Dr Carmen Stoian, Senior Lecturer in International Business

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are key employers and contributors to the UK’s economic growth and through exporting they generate additional jobs, higher revenues and innovation.

However, Brexit and Covid-19 have created additional barriers to exporting and placed new financial and human resources constraints on SMEs, raising the question of how best to support those SMEs that are still willing to export.

To find out how SMEs managers perceive the impact of Brexit and Covid-19 on their firms’ exports and how to improve the support available for exporters, Kent County Council commissioned a study as part of its EU-Funded SIE (SME Internationalisation Exchange) Project and the Kent International Business programme. The study was led by a team of experts from the University of Kent and University of East Anglia, Dr Carmen Stoian, Dr Zita Stone and Professor Fragkiskos Filippaios.

Using a representative sample for the Kent SME population and an anonymous survey with 316 managers, our findings suggest that the impact of Brexit and Covid-19 on exporting SMEs has been mixed. 50% of firms have decreased exports since Brexit, as they have faced additional administrative barriers and costs associated with tariffs. Moreover, 8% of firms have stopped exporting since Brexit, as these also lacked access to specialised workforce.

In contrast, 11 % of firms have used exporting as a strategy to build resilience and increase growth and have started to export since Covid-19. This variety of firm responses to Brexit and Covid-19 suggests that SMEs require tailored support to their specific needs and stage in the exporting process (i.e. whether they are currently exporting, are considering exporting or have stopped exporting and are considering starting again). With support provided by the Department for International Trade and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce as well as several bespoke programmes which all make up the wider ‘Kent International Business’ offering led by Kent Country Council, key

stakeholders in the county are now looking at ways to develop these support initiatives in light of the recent findings.

‘To export’ – that is the answer. Our study suggests that exporting brings significant benefits to SMEs such as access to distributors, additional earnings and building resilience.

How to make the best of exporting? Markets such as the European Union, the US, Canada, New Zealand, India, and China are predicted to remain the most important markets for Kent SMEs, due to existing relationships, geographical closeness (the EU), cultural affinity (the US, Canada and New Zealand), or high economic growth prospects (India and China). Attending digital fairs and other networks may be a cost-effective way for SMEs to find distributors in other markets and enhance exporting.

To make the best of exporting, SME managers may also need to improve their digital skills and embrace digitalisation which appears to be increasingly important for accessing foreign markets and business growth.

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State-of-the-art lab?

Manufacturing facility?

Grade A office?

Co-working space?

When it comes to finding the right place in Kent and Medway to grow your business, location is everything.

Our Property Portal makes the job easier, allowing you to search for available business units or office space that meet your needs.

Connected to all leading estate agents, you’ll quickly have a list of potential locations that tick all the right boxes.

Search www.property.locateinkent.com

Business optimism high despite challenging months ahead Andrew Griggs, Senior Partner, Kreston Reeves

The business environment has never been so uncertain. The impact of Brexit, the global pandemic and now conflict in Ukraine is likely to be felt for many years to come, bringing new challenges and change. So too will the mitigation of climate change, the continuing impact of technology and changing working patterns. For many businesses, it is difficult to know what tomorrow might hold.

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That is why we conducted a nationwide research project where we explore the issues, constraints on growth, priorities and plans for the future of 652 business leaders across the UK. Businesses must continue to look ahead and shape their future.

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Our research, published in a report called Shaping your future, suggests businesses are incredibly confident for their future but are facing significant challenges over the next two years, with reduced cash reserves, stressed supply chains, and a tough recruitment environment.

The findings from our Shaping your future report include:

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39% expect to see turnover increase by up to 25% in the next 12 months, and 27% expect turnover to increase by between 26% and 50%.

23% of businesses are prioritising training and upskilling their workforce and 20% on staff retention to address recruitment challenges.

A third of businesses surveyed expect to fund future growth through retained profits and organic company growth.

Over half (56%) say they are exploring merger and acquisition (M&A) opportunities over the next 12 months.

It is encouraging, therefore, to see businesses so confident for their future – 87% of the businesses we spoke to are ‘confident’ or ‘very confident’ about the future of their business.

It is important, now more so than ever and with the help of Kreston Reeves, that business leaders take stock, understand those pressures facing their business, identify and plan for future pinch points, and shape the future they want for their business.

You can download a full copy of the report by visiting www.krestonreeves.com/shapingyourfuture.

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Join FSB and unlock a range of services for your business At FSB our mission is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions. We are the UK’s largest grassroots campaigning group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and smaller business owners.

How can FSB help your business?

Right from the outset, FSB members have access to a range of services, including: • 24/7 legal, tax and employment advice line • Debt recovery service • Range of local and virtual events - open to all • An extensive online legal hub with over 1,300 documents and templates • Easy access to funding • Specialist hubs including our start up hub fsb.org.uk/start

To find out more or to arrange a meeting with your local Membership Advisor, call Jane Martin on 07583 642202 or email Jane.Martin@fsb.org.uk FSB Business Essentials Membership starts from £147 per annum with a £30 registration fee in the first year. This rate is applicable to businesses with no employees. Rates increase depending on your number of employees. Please see the website for full details of subscription rate bands.

Registered Office: National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses Limited, Sir Frank Whittle Way, Blackpool Business Park, Blackpool, FY4 2FE. Registered in England No. 1263540.

Green business loan schemes for smaller businesses Susan Elliott, Senior Manager UK Networks, British Business Bank

While there are many benefits to becoming a more sustainable business, investment is one of the biggest challenges to decarbonisation and green business operations. According to research by the British Business Bank, 11% of SMEs – roughly 700,000 smaller businesses – have accessed external finance to support net zero actions and 22% are prepared to access external finance to do so within the next five years.

Finding funding to invest in more sustainable operations can be a challenge. There are numerous incentives and grants available to support transitions to, for example, zero and ultra-low emission vehicles.

Other types of investments are centred on loans from commercial institutions such as banks.

Green loans offered by banks and other financial institutions may be an option. Green loans to SMEs are typically restricted to funding sustainable business activities such as investment in renewable energy, green buildings and pollution prevention.

Here are some examples of banks and funds that offer green loans for smaller businesses*. However, it's essential that you shop around and get professional, independent financial advice when sourcing funding for your business, as loans may not be suitable for all businesses. Loans can be more expensive to pay back than the initial capital loaned to your business, and some may require security such as business or personal assets. Loans are subject to status, application and eligibility, so there’s no guarantee that you will be approved for finance.

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Business Climate Hub businessclimatehub.org/uk/ HSBC (Green SME Fund) business.hsbc.uk Lloyds (Clean Growth Financing Initiative) lloydsbank.com/business/home.html

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Barclays (Green Loan) barclays.co.uk/business-banking/ Virgin Money (Sustainable Business Loan) uk.virginmoney.com

The British Business Bank is the UK’s business development bank, with a mission to drive sustainable growth and prosperity across the UK, and to enable the transition to a net zero economy by improving access to finance for smaller businesses.

The British Business Bank’s Finance Hub provides independent and impartial information and resources on access to finance – including guidance for how to create a sustainable business and prepare for green growth. Find out more and take action with green business guides, jargon buster and helpful explainers. * Reference to any organisation, business and event within this article does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation from the British Business Bank or the UK Government. The information is intended for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal situation, nor does it constitute legal, financial, tax or other professional advice. You should always consider whether the information is applicable to your particular circumstances and, where appropriate, seek professional or specialist advice or support.

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About our sponsors Kreston Reeves Kreston Reeves guide their clients, colleagues and communities to a brighter future.

They help dynamic businesses, not for profit organisations, private individuals and families with more than accountancy, business and financial advice.

In a continually evolving world they help all generations embrace change through trusted advice, support and guidance.

Their dedication to providing a personal service is what sets them apart – they get to know you, understand your goals, support and advise you on your journey to help you realise your potential.

With offices across Kent, London and Sussex, they provide their personalised services across the South East and internationally via their Kreston International network of like-minded firms.

Thomson Snell & Passmore Thomson Snell & Passmore is a highly respected legal practice and one of the largest law firms in the South East. We have achieved this by continuously aligning ourselves with our clients’ ever changing needs as well as ensuring that we provide intelligent and practical legal advice.

Our Commercial Group consists of over 70 lawyers some of whom have qualified, trained and worked in magic circle and other large City firms. They are experienced in providing a degree of expertise and practical commercial advice at service levels and fees that our more astute commercial clients expect.

We are constantly striving to improve and differentiate ourselves from other firms. We recognise the key factors for clients when choosing a law firm: the client experience and the level of service provided; the

technical competencies of the team dealing with the instruction and value for money.

With offices in Tunbridge Wells and the Thames Gateway, the firm has earned a reputation over generations for providing pragmatic legal advice and delivering exceptional client service.

Established in 1570, the firm’s unique heritage underpins its quality, service and commitment to providing peace of mind to generations of families and businesses.

British Business Bank The British Business Bank is the UK government’s economic development bank. Established in November 2014, its mission is to drive sustainable growth and prosperity across the UK, and to enable the transition to a net zero economy, by improving access to finance for smaller businesses. Its remit is to design, deliver and efficiently manage UK-wide smaller business access to finance programmes for the UK government.

The British Business Bank’s core programmes are supporting over £10.3bn of finance to over 92,000 smaller businesses. Between March 2020 and March 2021, the British Business Bank was responsible for running the government’s Coronavirus business loan schemes, delivering £80.4bn of finance to 1.67m businesses.

As well as increasing both supply and diversity of finance for UK smaller businesses through its programmes, the Bank works to raise awareness of the finance options available to smaller businesses.

The British Business Bank Finance Hub provides information and support for scale-up, high growth and potential high growth businesses with increased content, information and products for businesses in survival and recovery mindsets.

Thank you to our sponsors, without whose support the Summit is not possible 26

Summit partners The Summit is brought to you by a partnership of organisations focussed on supporting business and enterprise in Kent and Medway.

Kent Business School As a triple-accredited business school, Kent Business School supports a wide range of businesses and organisations.

Advice – Reach out to use on our Business Clinic for sound advice from industry experts.

Networking – join our events in-person and online to challenge, inspire and debate.

Consultancy – leverage our research consultancy to access our world-class academic community including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and other funding opportunities.

Student talent – Access our students to bring fresh and innovative ideas and specialised knowledge To find out more go to www.kent.ac.uk/kentbusiness-school/business or email the team at kbsbusiness@kent.ac.uk

Federation of Small Businesses As experts in business, we offer our members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice heard in government. Our mission is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions. For more information visit fsb.org.uk

Institute of Directors The Institute of Directors (IoD) was founded in 1903 and carries a Royal Charter to support, represent and set standards for business leaders nationwide.

Our objective is to ensure your views are taken into account when the government is reviewing policy, legislation or seeking the opinions of the wider business community.

There is little telling what the coming years will hold for UK business. However there is one certainty – the IoD will maintain an unwavering commitment to support our members, encourage entrepreneurial activity and promote responsible business practice for the benefit of our members and the business community as a whole. www.iod.com

Locate in Kent Locate in Kent is the official inward investment agency for Kent and Medway, promoting the region as a prime business location and working with companies to help them grow and succeed in the county. They support organisations already based in Kent and those from other parts of the UK or overseas. They have helped more than 1,250 business invest in Kent and seen over 80,000 jobs created and retained since 1997, thanks to their unrivalled knowledge of the region’s business landscape.

Their service is free, impartial and confidential.

They can help with commercial property searches, funding advice, specialist sector support as well as recruitment and skills development. www.locateinkent.com

KM Media Group KM Media Group produces high-quality media products that help make Kent a better place to live and work. We are based in Kent. We operate offices across Kent and Medway and firmly believe that we are able to offer our customers the opportunity to grow their businesses by working with us in areas such as advertising, creativity, content and digital development.

We are trusted by businesses across the county and are accountable and contactable.

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Stay in touch Whether you are a business, a charity, or a public sector organisation, the University of Kent's worldclass expertise can help you.

At Kent Business School we engage with businesses and other organisations in many ways: Placements, internships, taking part in student projects or academic research are just some of the ways in which we can work with you.

Please sign up for our quarterly e-bulletin which contains news of networking and events, funding opportunities, placements and more. Email KBSBusiness@kent.ac.uk to subscribe.

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Here are just some of the events coming up A morning of networking on the go (or NetWalking, if you will) as we introduce the Parkinson’s Centre for Integrated Therapy.

As part of the University’s first annual Kent Giving Week, we’re delighted to invite you to our Kent NetWalking event, offering the opportunity to connect with businesses from around the region whilst completing a scenic route around Kent’s campus, making the most of the natural beauty on offer on a sunny spring morning (we hope). As well as plenty of

coffee, croissants and conversation while we walk, there will be a chance to hear from Professor David Wilkinson on the plans for the Parkinson’s Centre for Integrated Therapy. The Centre will be the first of its kind in the UK, offering life-changing support to people living with Parkinson’s in our local area and beyond.

Where: University of Kent campus, Canterbury, CT2 7NY When: Thursday 12 May – 07:30-09:00 Booking Fee : £5 (all proceeds from the booking fee will go towards the Centre for Integrated Therapy) Interested? Please email Matt Clarke at m.clarke-2070@kent.ac.uk to secure your place. www.kent.ac.uk/parkinsons We Are Listening A series of free events run by the University of Kent and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce • Tuesday 17 May 09.30-12.00; Ashford, with TBC, Physical: Cyber Security Challenges – register • Thursday 26 May 9.30-12.00; Ashford, with Dr Christie Marsh, Physical: Workplace Wellbeing – register • Tuesday 14 June 09.30-12.00; Ashford, with Professor Catherine Richardson, Physical: Creativity, Culture and Heritage – register • Thursday 28 June 09.30-12.00; Ashford, with Dr Ramin Raessi, Physical: Environmental Sustainability Strategy – register

MBA Briefing Become the leader your business needs and unleash your true potential with an MBA from Kent.

To learn more about our MBA programme focusing on Sustainable Innovation, Diversity in Leadership and an Entrepreneurial, join us for our next briefing session with Debbie Kemp our MBA Director on Wednesday 11 May 13.00-14.00 https://bit.ly/38Rzy8P If you require more information about the course please visit our course web page below or contact Charlotte Lynsdale KBSAdmissions@kent.ac.uk.

MBA Guest Lecture Get inspired at our next MBA Guest Lecture Series, focussed on Entrepreneurship.

Join us for our next MBA Guest Lecture Series event focussed on Entrepreneurship taking place via Zoom on Friday 13 May from 12.30-14.00 (BST).

This interactive virtual event will be led by Kent MBA Women in Leadership Scholars Wezie Chirwa and Fauzia Abro.

Our Scholars alongside MBA Director, Debbie Kemp will welcome a global live audience, bringing together our community of MBA students, alumni, and the broader community of business leaders.

There will also be a chance to submit questions to the panel during the Q&A. Join us and see what the MBA Guest Lecture Series has to offer.

This is a free event and you can register your place here.

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