Kent & Medway Business Summit 2024

7th annual

Delegate pack 2024

Contents

Welcome

Everything you need to know

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 7th Kent and Medway Business Summit.

3

Welcome

4

Agenda

6

Attending the Summit

9

Speaker profiles

21

9

09:00-09:25 – Welcome and opening remarks

11

09:30-09:55 – Economic Outline

13

10:00-10:40 – Session 1: Sustainability

15

10:45-11:25 – Session 2: Productivity

16

12:00-12:40 – Session 3: People

18

12:00-12:40 – Session 4: Finance

19

12:45-13:15 – Keynote: Dr Esther Fee Feichtner

There’s never been a better time to embark on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Kent

22

Menu

23

Quiz the Experts

25

About our sponsors

26

Stay in touch

With our summit partners, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Directors, we at Kent Business School are looking forward to sharing with you a day filled with opportunities to join the conversations that shape a positive future, learning from each other in the inspiring environment of our stunning Sibson building.

In what is the most challenging business environment for a generation, the Summit is a place where businesses, politicians, local government, key policy makers and academics come together to build a roadmap for sustainable economic growth.

With insightful keynotes, collaborative panel discussions and effective networking, we want you to use this day to discuss, inform and influence.

There is a core focus on key areas of business need, including sustainability, productivity people and finance. All underpinned by the drive for sustainable innovation.

We want you to share your experiences, best practice and exciting plans which all combine to 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. It contains not just everything you need to know to join the summit, but a selection of articles offering business insight, comment and more!

All event partners would like to thank our headline sponsors Kent based Leverets Group who are a pioneering firm of Barristers and Solicitors, and supporting sponsors Betteridge and Milsom who manage construction projects to deliver future proof sustainable builds, and Xeinadin Group offering business advisory and accountancy services in Kent and across the UK. Without this financial support the Summit would not have been possible. Thanks also go to our official media partner the 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, and future information about Kent Business School please join our mailing list here.

Professor Marian Garcia, Dean, Kent Business School

#KentandMedwayBusinessSummit

3

Agenda Friday 12 January 2024 Business breakfast 08:00-09:00

Business breakfast Registration, welcome and networking – Sibson Atrium, ground floor Showcase of collaboration success between business, academia and strategic partners

Morning session 09:00-09:25

Welcome and opening remarks – Lecture Theatre 3, first floor Host: Deborah Turner, National Policy Lead for Women in Enterprise for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Roger Gough, Leader, Kent County Council Adam Bryan, Director of Place, Medway Council Professor Marian Garcia, Dean, Kent Business School, University of Kent

09:30-09:55

Economic Outline – Lecture Theatre 3, first floor Kieran Dent, Agent for South East & East Anglia, Bank of England

10:00-10:40

Session 1: Sustainability Balancing Environmental, Social and Governance – Lecture Theatre 3, first floor Chair: Martin White, Founder and Director of Green Business Hub Headline Panelist: Paul Gannaway, Director, Betteridge and Milsom Panellist: Josh Pitman, Managing Director, Priory Direct Panellist: Dr Ramin Raessi, Senior Lecturer, Director of the Centre for Logistics and Sustainability Analytics (CeLSA), Kent Business School Panellist: Pamela Branchett, Human Resources Manager, Walker Construction

10:45-11:25

Session 2: Productivity Interacting with the circular economy –Lecture Theatre 3, first floor Chair: Professor Catherine Robinson, Deputy Dean (Medway) Kent Business School, University of Kent Panellist: Rupert Butler, Barrister, Head of Legal Practice, Leverets Group Panellist: Jon Mills, Brewer, Distiller and Founder, Canterbury Brewers and Distillers, The Foundry

11:25-11:55

Networking break – Sibson Atrium, ground floor

4

Concurrent sessions 12:00-12:40

Session 3: People Solving the skills shortage – Lecture Theatre 3, first floor Chair: Professor Patricia Lewis, Professor of Management, Kent Business School, University of Kent Panellist: John Parkinson, Director, HR GO Plc Panellist: Dr Joel Montgomery, Lecturer in Management, Director of Studies, Kent Business School University of Kent Panellist: Lucy Druesne, Skills Programme Manager, Local Skills Improvement Plan KICC

12:00-12:40

Session 4: Finance Start up, Scale up and Stay ahead – Lecture Theatre 2, first floor Chair: Susan Elliott, UK Network Senior Manager, South East, British Business Bank Headline Panelist: Symon Barkway, Williams Giles Xeinadin Group | Business advisory and accountancy group Panellist: Dr Ortenca Kume, Lecturer in Finance, Director of Studies, Kent Business School, University of Kent Panellist: Emma Palmer Foster, Director, Discovery Park Ventures Panellist: Susan Berdo, Strategic Programme Manager, Kent & Medway Business Fund, Kent County Council Business Case Studies: Growing Kent & Medway’s Food & Drink Accelerator businesses share investment opportunities

12:45-13:15

Keynote : Dr Esther Fee Feichtner Pianist and AI Scientist – Lecture Theatre 3, first floor Head of Digitalisation (Artificial Intelligence in Culture and Arts), Lecturer at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Munich

Networking lunch 13:15-14:15

Networking lunch – Sibson Atrium, ground floor Enjoy a buffet of Kent produce

Atrium Advisors 08:00-14:15

Quiz The Experts UoK Careers & Placements | UoK Global and lifelong learning – Sibson Atrium, ground floor

#KentandMedwayBusinessSummit

5

Attending the Summit We look forward to welcoming you to the 7th Kent and Medway Business Summit.

Here is some information to help make your day run smoothly. For any queries on the day please email kbsbusiness@kent.ac.uk and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

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 (CT2 7BQ) 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. Blue badge spaces are limited. If you require a personal assistant or companion, they will not be charged – but please advise us in advance.

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.

Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.

To discuss access or other requirements please email kbsbusiness@kent.ac.uk

Share your news at the Summit

Your views count

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

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.

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.

6

Please scan this QR code to take a brief survey.

Thank you.

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

1

2

3

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

4

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

5

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.

6

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

Explore more with the University of Kent Whether you are a business, a charity, or a public sector organisation, the University of Kent’s world-class expertise can help you. At Kent Business School we engage with businesses and other organisations in many ways.

For any enquiries please email KBSBusiness@kent.ac.uk Please sign up for our ebulletin which contains news of networking and events, funding opportunities, placements and more: sign up here to join our mailing list:

IoD South Creating connections across the South of England and beyond IoD South stretches from Banbury in the north to Dover in the east, with seven branches representing a huge diversity of businesses and sectors. Our region is one of high output and remarkable achievement, and our branches provide opportunities for inspiration, discussion and development of ideas and interests.

For more info, please visit: iod.com

Institute of Directors Better directors for a better world

Speaker profiles 09:00-09:25 – Welcome and opening remarks Lecture Theatre 3, first floor Host: Deborah Turner National Policy Lead for Women in Enterprise for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) 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 notfor-profit 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.

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.

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.

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.

Adam Bryan Director of Place, Medway Council Adam joined Medway Council on 14 August 2023, becoming the Director of Place, having been the Chief Executive at the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, overseeing significant regeneration projects across the region. Adam has previous experience working in regional development and in Local Government, having held a number of roles at Essex County Council, including the Head of Place Partnership Integration.

As Director of Place, Adam Bryan has responsibility for Frontline Services, Culture and Community and Regeneration. The Directorate’s aim is to establish Medway as a great place to live, to work, to learn and to visit, drawing on our rich heritage to deliver a great future for Medway.

Adam is a Board Member for Locate in Kent, Visit Kent, Kent Chamber of Commerce and Medway Place Board.

Professor Marian Garcia Dean, Kent Business School, University of Kent 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.

#KentandMedwayBusinessSummit

9

Become a better leader Grow your business 90% Government funded Help to Grow: Management is a training course for business leaders.

This leadership course will help you learn how to take your business to the next level, increasing profitability, innovation and growth.

As part of the course you will: • Learn from experts at triple accredited Kent Business School.

• Get 10 hours of 1-to-1 mentoring support.

• Enhance management and strategic business capabilities.

• Develop a plan to help your business grow.

• Become more confident leading your business through current and future challenges.

Register your place now Starting Feb 2024 At Kent Business School FUNDED BY

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Speaker profiles 09:30-09:55 – Economic Outline

Lecture Theatre 3, first floor

Kieran Dent Agent for South East & East Anglia, Bank of England Kieran became Agent for the South East and East Anglia in 2023. Prior to joining the Bank’s Agency network, Kieran was, for many years, a senior economist within the Bank’s Monetary Analysis area, working on the Bank’s UK forecast and monetary strategy teams. Kieran joined the Bank in 2011, starting out in its Financial Stability area, working on the design of the Bank’s concurrent stress test of the UK banking system, and issues concerning the UK banking sector more generally.

#KentandMedwayBusinessSummit

11

Tel: +44 (0) 1732 455505 www.leveretsgroup.co.uk

Barristers and Solicitors together a new way to look at business

“

Outstanding legal advice coupled with a tactical awareness and savvy that takes into account not just the legal matter, but also the broader needs and circumstances of their clients. A rare thing indeed.

With a focus on company and commercial, civil fraud, commercial litigation and insolvency, sport and media and statutory inquiries, Leverets can seamlessly blend strategic and advocacy skills to give your business the legal support you need.

Leverets Advocacy Limited 44a High Street Sevenoaks Kent TN13 1JG

8 The Precincts Canterbury CT1 2EE

Speaker profiles 10:00-10:40 – Session 1: Sustainability Balancing Environmental, Social and Governance Chair: Martin White Founder and Director of Green Business Hub Martin helps energise and empower businesses and organisations to manage their environmental, economic and social impact and drive greater sustainability, wellbeing, and prosperity for the benefit of the stakeholders and local communities they serve.

Crucially, ‘Green Business Hub’ brings businesses and consumers who have a shared green or sustainability objective – either as buyer or supplier – together in one place to do business!

Headline Panelist: Paul Gannaway Director, Betteridge and Milsom Paul Gannaway is Director of B&M, a thriving construction consultancy based in Canterbury. With over 30 years in the industry, Paul has undertaken a wide variety of schemes in his career supporting various clients across the South East. B&M consists of a reputable team known to deliver an allencompassing service from concept to reality providing services such as project management and quantity surveying. Their involvement has led to many notable projects such as home to the Kent and Medway Business Summit – the Sibson building.

Panellist: Josh Pitman Managing Director, Priory Direct Josh Pitman is the Managing Director of Priory Direct – the home of planet friendly packaging in the UK. Priory Direct supply sustainable packaging to over 21,000 businesses and tackle supply chain and operational challenges to reduce the impact of ecommerce on the environment. Priory Direct’s ultimate goal is to make ecommerce a truly sustainably industry by driving awareness and action, through authentic and passionate advocacy, and access to solutions. Priory direct have recently partnered with

Lecture Theatre 3, first floor

Kent Business School on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through Innovate UK for improvements in stock availability, demand forecasting, and logistics carbon footprint through enhanced data handling and supply chain analytics.

Panellist: Dr Ramin Raessi Director of the Centre for Logistics and Sustainability Analytics (CeLSA), Kent Business School Dr Ramin Raeesi is a Senior Lecturer in Management Science and the Director of the Centre for Logistics and Sustainability Analytics (CeLSA) at Kent Business School. His main area of research relates to the modelling and solving of optimisation problems that arise in the decarbonisation of transport and logistics networks with new fuel options such as electricity and hydrogen. He has led a number of transport and logistics decarbonisation research and innovation projects that value in total at over £5m.

Examples are the electrification of ferries at the Port of Dover, hydrogen supply chain for road freight in the UK and the Maritime Hydrogen Highway project.

Panellist: Pamela Branchett HR & ESG Manager, Walker Construction Pamela is the HR & ESG Manager at Walker Construction, a family owned, and multi-discipled business based in Lympne, Kent. With 10 years’ experience in the Construction industry and 25 years in Human Resources, Pamela has taken the lead role in ESG for the business.

Initiating the first carbon audit for 2022, Walker Construction now have a clear ESG and Social Value Strategy to deliver netzero. Pamela is also a committee member of the Walker Trust who provide support to those in need with causes close to the hearts of employees and the communities the business operates in, adding significant social value to our commitments. #KentandMedwayBusinessSummit

13

Speaker profiles 10:45-11:25 – Session 2: Productivity Interacting with the circular economy Panellist: Professor Catherine Robinson Deputy Dean (Medway) Kent Business School, University of Kent Catherine is a Professor of Applied Economics and Business Statistics and is currently Deputy Dean for Kent Business School (Medway & Accreditations), University of Kent. Kate’s research is focussed on firm level performance and factors which influence it, ranging from foreign direct investment to social enterprises; technological change to skills and migrant workers. In her latest research collaborations, Kate has considered the impact of Covid-19 on UK skill mismatch levels in the graduate labour market and how Kent SMEs coped with the skills gap in relation to the introduction to new technologies such as AI, robotics and the use of big data. As well, Kate holds a visiting fellow position at the National Institute of Economics and Social Research, London.

Panellist: Rupert ‘Paddy’ Butler Barrister, Head of Legal Practice, Leverets Group Rupert Butler was born, bred and educated in Kent. He has been in private practice as a Barrister in England and Wales since 1988, and Ireland since 1998, most recently at 3 Hare Court, and as founder and principal of Leverets. Rupert was one of the first barristers to be licensed to conduct litigation and to accept instructions directly from the public, which has led to him appearing in many high profile civil claims, criminal cases and public inquiries. In order to meet demand for direct access services Rupert founded Leverets in 2018 and set up its offices in Sevenoaks, to fuse barristers and solicitors in order to create a better client service, adding offices in Canterbury in 2022. With substantial experience in litigation and advisory work in the fields of sport and media, company law and corporate insolvency, Rupert’s practice covers a broad range of chancery and commercial litigation.

Lecture Theatre 3, first floor Rupert is a Kent Ambassador, supporting the County Council in its promotion of the County and, in particular, the challenges it faces post-Brexit. He is a nonexecutive director of Kent County Cricket Club.

Panellist: Jon Mills Brewer, Distiller and Founder, Canterbury Brewers and Distillers, The Foundry Jon Mills, founded Canterbury Brewers and Distillers a family owned award winning craft brewery, better known by locals as The Foundry. Jon is a true ambassador for the City of Canterbury. Former chef Jon started brewing and distilling in Canterbury over 10 years ago, continuing the Foundry’s rich history of production and global trade. Spirits are distilled on site, from English Barley, all made from scratch on site including their very own alcohol production and botanical blends. Quality is balanced with food miles to produce unique products with local collaborations.

Circularity is key to the future of Jons business ethos, especially the recycling of energy within the brew and distil cycle for a sustainable zero waste restaurant and production process.

#KentandMedwayBusinessSummit

15

Speaker profiles 12:00-12:40 – Session 3: People Solving the skills shortage Chair: Professor Patricia Lewis Professor of Management, Kent Business School, University of Kent Patricia is a Professor of Management, specialising in gender and entrepreneurship and more recently gender and leadership, in the Kent Business School, University of Kent. Her current research uses the concept of Postfeminism to critically investigate the gendered aspects of entrepreneurship and leadership. She has published widely in a range of journals including British Journal of Management, Gender, Work & Organization, Gender in Management: An International Journal, Human Relations, International Small Business Journal, Organization and Organization Studies. She was Joint-Editor-in-Chief of the journal Gender, Work & Organization from mid-2017 to the end of 2020. She is due to take up the role of Editor of the International Small Business Journal in January 2024 until the end

16

Lecture Theatre 3, first floor of 2026. She was elected to the British Academy of Management College of Fellows in 2022 and she is the Co-Conference Chair of the British Academy of Management 2025 Conference to be hosted at Kent Business School with the title On the Border: Management Challenges, Business Opportunities and Disrupted Institutional Contexts.

Panellist: John Parkinson Director, HR GO Plc John is the third-generation owner of HR GO Recruitment, alongside his sister Sydney. They carry on the family tradition of stewarding HR GO, following in the footsteps of their grandmother and father. As a family-driven business, we prioritise people, embrace entrepreneurship, and maintain agility in everything we do. John’s journey has encompassed a deep focus on software and data within our group, culminating in his transition to ownership in the past year.

The HR GO Labs division is at the forefront of innovative solutions, with the latest venture involves a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Kent aimed at harnessing AI and Machine Learning to revolutionise talent matching.

Panellist: Dr Joel Montgomery Lecturer in Management, Director of Studies, Kent Business School University of Kent Joel has recently completed his PhD, investigating the influence of organisational politics on the functioning of local councils throughout the UK. His forthcoming research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of what local council institutions do well and could improve on to help address the unemployment rates of refugees in the South East of England.

Panellist: Lucy Druesne Skills Programme Manager, Local Skills Improvement Plan KICC Lucy is the Chief Contracts and Policy Officer and the Kent & Medway Locals Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) Lead at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. The Kent & Medway LSIP works with employers and employer representative groups to identify the local skills needs and solutions to address them in our key sectors, in collaboration with the local education providers. Lucy grew up in France and came to the UK to work on a European project for Kent Invicta Chamber after which she moved to roles in Higher Education and has spent the last 20 years at the interface of education and business in her roles, in particular as Deputy Director of Innovation at the University of Kent and as Manager of GOETEC, a partnership of Kent & Medway Higher and Further Education and public sector organisations.

#KentandMedwayBusinessSummit

17

Speaker profiles 12:00-12:40 – Session 4: Finance Start up, Scale up and Stay ahead Chair: Susan Elliott UK Network Senior Manager, South East, British Business Bank Susan is an experienced commercial manager working with British Business Bank stakeholders, intermediaries and delivery partners to help smaller business access finance for growth.

Her knowledge and connections in the funding and business support community were gained from cofounding and running her own advisory and consulting business for 10 years, providing strategic advice for scale ups, delivering business accelerator programmes, managing public sector business support contracts and through partnerships with sources of finance for small and mid-sized businesses.

Headline Panelist: Symon Barkway Williams Giles Xeinadin Group Business advisory and accountancy group Symon is a Fellow member of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants and has over 20 years’ experience after graduating from the University of Kent. Symon has a wide range of experience covering a variety of Accounting disciplines and has a considerable amount of experience with clients in the owner managed business sector offering a tailored approach to help clients to achieve their goals. He has assisted numerous clients with starting their own businesses, enjoys assisting his clients maximise their potential.

Lecture Theatre 2, first floor Panellist: Dr Ortenca Kume Lecturer in Finance, Director of Studies, Kent Business School, University of Kent Ortenca joined Kent Business School as a Lecturer in Finance in 2008. Ortenca’s research interests primarily are on the areas of firms’ financing decisions and their access to finance, estimation of credit risk, the role of credit rating agencies and efficiency of capital markets. She is currently working on a project that investigates the factors affecting UK firms’ investment and financing decisions. She holds a PhD in Finance from Aberdeen Business School (2012), and a Master degree in International Management and Finance (1999) from the University of Staffordshire. Prior to her appointment at the University of Kent, she held academic positions at Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University and Business School at Canterbury Christ Church University, where she delivered courses in both accounting and finance.

Ortenca has also delivered online executive courses for University of Liverpool (Laureate Online).

Panellist: Emma Palmer Foster Director, Discovery Park Ventures

Panellist: Susan Berdo Strategic Programme Manager, Kent & Medway Business Fund Kent County Council Business Case Studies: Growing Kent & Medway’s Food & Drink Accelerator businesses share investment opportunities

18

Speaker profiles 12:45-13:15 – Keynote: Dr Esther Fee Feichtner Pianist and AI Scientist Head of Digitalisation (Artificial Intelligence in Culture and Arts), Lecturer at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich Esther is an expert in artificial intelligence (AI) and sound. She studied computer science and musicology at the Julius-Maximilians-Universität in Würzburg and completed her doctorate at the International Audio Laboratories Erlangen, a joint research facility of Fraunhofer IIS and FriedrichAlexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). Her research focuses on timbre analysis in audio signals using feature-based approaches and optimized artificial neural networks.

Lecture Theatre 3, first floor Esther’s expertise goes far beyond her academic work. As an improvisation coach and composer, she is intensively involved with human creativity and relates this to the current mechanisms underlying hypothetically creative AI systems. Dealing with this juxtaposition and making the opportunities – offered by the rapid development of AI – accessible to more artists are two central components of her work as head of the digitization college ‘Artificial Intelligence in Culture and Arts’ (AICA for short).

#KentandMedwayBusinessSummit

19

Ademb[Z][ JhWdi\[h FWhjd[hi^_fi Wj A[dj$ 7YY[ii ekh m[Wbj^ e\ WYWZ[c_Y ademb[Z][" j[Y^debe]o WdZ ia_bbi m_j^ \kdZ_d] \hec ?ddelWj[ KA$

There’s never been a better time to embark on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Kent Did you know that 83% of businesses engaged with the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme have reported increases in productivity, profitability, employment, or turnover?

Innovate UK KTPs bring together forward-thinking businesses and organisations, academics, and graduates to solve complex innovation challenges which help our economy, society, and environment.

They fuel the success and profitability of UK businesses by allowing them access to significant funding which ensures more value for money on R&D spend and a greater return on investment. They also support talented individuals into high-value employment and enrich academic institutions.

Each collaboration is a three-way partnership between; a business or organisation with an innovative idea or challenge; a UK knowledge base with the expertise to deliver the innovation or solve the challenge; and a graduate who will drive the project forward to delivery. This approach has proven highly successful in helping UK businesses and organisations innovate for growth since 1975.

As a leading knowledge base in Kent and Medway, we have a diverse portfolio of KTP projects with businesses locally and nationally. In fact, we’re in the top 22% of UK higher education institutions for the number of KTP projects we’re delivering. We take an ambitious yet pragmatic approach to matching business needs with our academic expertise and as such, hold a 100% success rate in applying for KTP funding from Innovate UK, meaning your project is likely to go ahead if you work with us.

The past few months have seen several KTP successes at Kent. Innovate UK have awarded a project which will see biometrics experts Professors Richard Guest and Gareth Howells support Ingenium Biometrics to expand into the age estimation market, whilst academics from the School of Computing, Dr Marek Grzes and Dr Palani Ramaswamy, are set to

collaborate with Sports Information Services via a KTP to create a unique, innovative and market leading, computer vision artificial intelligence (CVAI) capability for the racing industry. We have also celebrated the “very good” ranking of our recently completed KTP with a global leadership strategy consultancy supported by Kent psychologists Dr Dawn H Nicholson and Dr Anna Brown.

Case study: Harnessing AI to transform the recruitment market Local recruitment firm, HR GO, are working with Dr Anna Jordanous and Daniel Soria in the School of Computing to bring AI capabilities into the business to create better recruitment matches. John Parkinson, Director and Owner of the business, had already recruited Kent students as summer interns and worked with Anna on a smaller project, so recognised the value that a KTP with Kent could bring to the business.

Since it began in 2022, the project has delivered some exciting results with some of the technology already embedded into HR GO’s website, helping to improve the accuracy in candidate job searches.

Case study: Improving sustainable packaging efficiency and customer service Aylesford-based B Corp certified sustainable packaging firm Priory Direct have enlisted the support of Kent Business School’s Dr Ramin Raeesi and Dr Zhen Zhu to improve efficiency and service levels within sustainable packaging provision to the fastgrowing e-commerce sector. As Managing Director, Josh Pitman, explains, ‘The project will allow Priory Direct to accelerate our mission to minimise the environmental impact of ecommerce by intelligently using consumption and manufacturing data to increase supply chain efficiency, minimise wasted journeys and material, and provide outstanding forecasting and continuity of supply.’

If you are interested in embarking on a project with the University of Kent get in touch with our team businessrelationships@kent.ac.uk #KentandMedwayBusinessSummit

21

Menu The University of Kent is increasing the sustainability of our food offering from field to fork and beyond.

The strategy supports the University’s aim to embed the Sustainable Development Goals into our operations.

08:00-09:00 Arrival pastries and refreshments Sibson building has designated water station.

Multiple service points will be available for tea and coffee.

A selection of English breakfast tea, herbal infusions, filter coffee and fruit juices.

A selection of Danish pastries.

11:30-12:00 Refreshment break Refill your water, coffee and tea, also a selection of Biddenden juices and assorted biscuits.

13:15 Sustainable Kentish buffet lunch Bespoke Kentish finger buffet including locally sourced Kent produce with savoury, sweet and fruit options.

A selection of Kentish filled huffkins with a variety of fillings: • Kentish chicken with stuffing • Free-range Kentish egg with mayonnaise and local baby salad leaves • Kentish honey roasted ham with Canterbury Bowyer’s brie cheese • Vegan cheese with Kentish Bramley apple chutney A selection of canape: • Mini Kentish Korker sausages with Kentish honey and wholegrain mustard • Romney Marsh lamb koftas with flat bread fingers and mint yoghurt dressing • South coast smoked mackerel fillet with beetroot and sour cream mini cups • Kentish cauliflower spicy buffalo wings • White bean houmous pots with baby vegetables and Kentish cold pressed lemon oil A selection of desserts, fruit, and drinks: • Canterbury tart with fresh local whipped cream • Blackcurrant crumble slice vegan, gluten free

22

Quiz the Experts 08:00-14:15 – Quiz our friendly expert team in the Sibson Atrium to explore how you can work with the University of Kent.

University of Kent careers and placements Speak to representatives from the Careers and Employability Service to find out about the wide range of opportunities we have for you to engage with potential future hires at the University of Kent.

University of Kent Higher Degree Apprenticeships Apprenticeships are a win-win, helping employers bridge the skills gap, while offering employees practical experience coupled with real and achievable career progression. The University of Kent has been working with large and small employers for over five years to help them utilise apprenticeship training opportunities and create progression routes into, and through, their organisations. Our team can support with skills gap analysis, recruitment and offer advice on funding and compliance for employers looking to develop their apprenticeship programmes. As our programmes are delivered by the academic divisions across the University of Kent, employers can benefit from the expertise and research of our academics and the wider University’s networking opportunities.

As apprentices learn they bring new ideas, knowledge, and skills into your organisation and it’s not just employers who benefit from apprenticeships.

Apprentices make contacts, develop skills, and earn a wage. They also gain a recognised qualification without paying tuition fees.

Kent Business School: Help to Grow Management Take your business to the next level February 2024 Available to leaders and decision makers in small and medium-sized businesses. Register now for this in-demand part funded executive education for aspiring leaders and decision makers. Register your place here. Email: recruitapprenticeships@kent.ac.uk Growing Kent & Medway Become an inspiring Mentor in 2024 Help shape the industry of tomorrow! We are inviting volunteer mentors to join us for both our Aspire, student entrepreneurial programme and our Growing Kent & Medway Mentoring Programme which supports businesses in Agriculture, Horticulture and Food & Drink.

We are looking for people with experience in a wide range of areas, from technical industry experience to market research, people management, finance or legal, business strategy or supply chain development.

To become a mentor you will: • Want to make a difference • Be passionate about supporting people to achieve their goals • Be prepared to share your experiences and networks • Act as a positive role model • Have good listening skills and be easy to talk to • Be committed, reliable and maintain confidentiality If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

Contact: Rebecca Smith on 01227 816492 or email GKMMentoring@kent.ac.uk

We are continually looking to expand on this and encourage employers to talk to us about the apprenticeship standards that would make a real difference to their organisation: Email: recruitapprenticeships@kent.ac.uk

#KentandMedwayBusinessSummit

23

Running your own business is rewarding, but you don’t have to face the challenges alone.

With the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) by your side, you’ll have all the support and expertise you need to start, run and grow your business.

As the leading voice of 5.5 million small businesses and the self-employed heard in governments across the UK, we’re always working to deliver real change on the issues that matter most.

FSB membership unlocks market-leading business services and tools including: • 24/7 legal, tax and employment advice line • Debt recovery service • Range of local and virtual events - free and open to all • An extensive online legal hub with over 1,400 documents and templates • Easy access to funding • Bespoke insurance quotes and advice tailored to you

To find out more or to join today, please call us on 0808 2020 888 or visit fsb.org.uk/join *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.

About our sponsors

Headline sponsor barristers + solicitors

Leverets Barristers and Solicitors Leverets was formed in 2018 in Sevenoaks pioneering a combined firm of Barristers and Solicitors to deliver a stream-lined litigation service to businesses and individuals, by investing in talent, technology and building a thriving hybrid-working practice. The firm, which encourages home and flexible working, has expanded rapidly and now also has offices in Canterbury. Since its inception Leverets has been involved in some of the most complex, valuable and high-profile cases, including representing the estate of Lord Janner QC, Ghislaine Maxwell, Camila Batmanghelidjh of Kids Co, and the Credit Suisse Deal Team in the infamous ‘tuna bonds scandal’. Leverets is always looking to increase its offering to clients in Kent and Medway in all areas of civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Supporting sponsors Betteridge and Milsom B&M consists of a reputable team known to deliver an all-encompassing service from concept to reality providing services such as project management and quantity surveying.

Their involvement has led to many notable projects such as home to the Kent and Medway Business Summit – the Sibson building.

Xeinadin Xeinadin is a group of business advisory and accountancy firms across the UK and Ireland on a mission to inspire SMEs and their owners and managers to overcome challenges and achieve their business and personal goals. With over 130 offices offering over 40 fields of expertise and specialising in more than 25 industries. Xeinadin Group is your progressive and insightful partner.

Xeinadin can support you setting up a new business, tax planning and research and development tax relief all the way through to exiting your business when the time comes. We’ll help you access the right funding to turn your ideas into reality and open your mind to the various possibilities for you and your business. With us by your side, you can rest assured that all your compliance and advisory needs are taken care of.

Your one stop shop for building a stronger business.

We can provide international expertise through a local team that knows your company. Your traditional accountancy services are a given – but where we really add value is using cutting edge technology to analyse, compare and spot trends over time. Xeinadin Group – Forward thinking, proven in practice.

#KentandMedwayBusinessSummit

25

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, student projects or business research and innovation via academic research.

Please sign up for our ebulletin which contains news of networking and events, funding opportunities, placements and more: sign up here or email KBSBusiness@kent.ac.uk

Here are just some of the upcoming events MBA Briefing – January 2024 Wednesday 24 January 2024 Interested in studying an MBA or already applied and want to find out more? Kent Business School’s MBA online briefings offer a unique insight into the criteria and learnings of the course – registration is essential. kbsadmissions@kent.ac.uk KBS Help to Grow Management – Chartered Association of Business Schools course (H2G:M) Wednesday 14 February 2024 Study at the Triple Accredited Kent Business School to develop a tailored business growth plan to increase productivity and grow revenue. Register your place here. Email: recruitapprenticeships@kent.ac.uk

26

MBA Briefing – February 2024 Wednesday 21 February 2024 Interested in studying an MBA or already applied and want to find out more? Kent Business School’s MBA online briefings offer a unique insight into the criteria and learnings of the course – registration is essential. kbsadmissions@kent.ac.uk KBS Help to Grow Management – course insights (H2G:M) Wednesday 6 March 2024 Hear from KBS H2G:M programme leader, plus peerto-peer learning, success stories, lessons learnt, shared challenges and hot topics. Email: recruitapprenticeships@kent.ac.uk MBA Briefing – March 2024 Wednesday 20 March 2024 Interested in studying an MBA or already applied and want to find out more? Kent Business School’s MBA online briefings offer a unique insight into the criteria and learnings of the course – registration is essential. kbsadmissions@kent.ac.uk