Month: June 2023
Skills and innovation top the agenda as science minister visits UK’s largest space cluster
Skills and innovation were the focus for George Freeman, minister of state for science, innovation and technology, as he met with Space South Central businesses and academics from across the region on 22 June. The UK’s largest space cluster, Space South Central, champions Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight’s thriving space sector, representing more […]
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Businesses in the South East need three years to prepare for impact of AI
A new survey of HR managers and directors in the South East, commissioned by research-driven consultancy YOHO Workplace Strategy, suggests that businesses will need three years to be ready for the impact of AI (artificial intelligence) on the workplace. Around 33% said it would take a minimum of three years before they were prepared for […]
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Kent site managers scoop three prizes at top industry awards
Redrow’s South East division has won three ‘Pride in the Job Quality’ awards from the National House Building Council (NHBC). The award celebrates the exceptional contribution site managers make in creating homes of outstanding quality. Redrow’s award-winners in the region include Jack Leslie at Ebbsfleet Green, Prageeth Harischandra at Amber Fields, and Ian Day at […]
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Britain’s best businesses head to Wembley for SME National Business Awards
The anticipated finalist list for the SME National Business Awards has been released, with the 2023 winners set to be crowned at a ceremony at Wembley Stadium this December. Now in their 7th year, the SME National Business Awards have become a well-established platform to celebrate the remarkable achievements of SMEs and their contributions to […]
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Wealden District Council approves housing development in Hailsham
Wealden District Council’s planning committee has greenlit two new Barratt David Wilson Homes developments in Hailsham, East Sussex, which were granted approval on 22 June. The schemes, named Cuckoo Fields, are located off Station Road, and will provide 372 new homes, of which 35% will be affordable. Cuckoo Fields will form part of Barratt David […]
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Grants of £100,000 available to Newhaven businesses
Businesses in Newhaven and the wider Sussex region are being invited to bid for grants of up to £100,000 from Newhaven Enterprise Zone (NEZ) as part of ambitious plans for economic growth in the region. The NEZ’s Transforming Newhaven Fund is designed to support businesses with projects that deliver regeneration in the town, create jobs […]
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Reward achieves landmark £200m lending milestone
Reward Finance Group has cemented its twelfth year of continuous growth by breaking through the £200 million loan book milestone for the first time. Reward, which supplies SMEs with tailored business finance loans and asset-based solutions of between £50k and £5m, is marking the landmark by donating £2,000 to reforestation company Tomorrow’s Forests in line […]
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Equality, diversity and inclusion is good for staff and for business
Within the Business Bar, Kent-based businesses spanning finance, recruitment, law, marketing and more come together to grow and adapt. Member Henry Doswell, principal solicitor at Doswell Law Solicitors, talks about how equality, diversity and inclusion is good for staff and for business… Taking equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) seriously in the workplace has huge benefits […]
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FareShare Sussex & Surrey highlights food scarcity crisis
Food waste charity FareShare Sussex & Surrey is appealing for businesses to provide support as it expands its vital services across Sussex and Surrey during the cost-of-living crisis.
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New agri-engineering research collaboration to boost innovation in Kent
A new partnership has been announced between Growing Kent & Medway and Canterbury Christ Church University to connect horticultural and food and drink businesses with agri-technology specialists. The development of the Industrial Agri-Engineering Hub at the University will complement and enhance Growing Kent & Medway’s existing activities for business-led research and innovation in the horticultural, […]
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Eastbourne care home sold as owner retires after 20 years in business
Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has announced the sale of Sunnyhill Residential Care Home in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Sunnyhill is a three-storey, 20-bedroom dementia care home with a ‘Good’ CQC rating and a strong trading history. The business is located in a predominantly residential area in Eastbourne which has a higher-than-average population of […]
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BFA HSBC British Franchise Awards 2023 launch
The British Franchise Association (bfa) has launched the 2023 BFA HSBC British Franchise Awards for 2023, an annual event to celebrate and support excellence in franchising, showcasing franchisors and franchisees alike. To keep the awards fresh there are a few changes to last year’s line-up: In another change for this year, the association has introduced […]
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South East third best region in England for Foreign Direct Investment outside of London
The South East of England has maintained its position in the top three best-performing regions in England for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects outside of London, despite a fall in project numbers, according to the EY 2023 UK Attractiveness Survey. The South East of England has maintained its position in the top three best-performing regions […]
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A leap forward
Datar Cancer Genetics, based at Surrey Research Park, helps enhance the diagnosis of inaccessible brain tumours Brain cancer is the twelfth most lethal cancer in the world, taking the lives of more than 250,000 adults each year. According to Brain Tumour Research, in England alone, every two hours, someone is diagnosed with a brain tumour, […]
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The South East is becoming a political battleground
Expert advice from Harry Shackleton, a partner at strategic communications and business transformation consultancy Inflect Partners It was indicative that Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader, chose to visit Medway to celebrate the May 2023 local elections results. With the governing Conservative party losing more than a thousand seats overnight, there were plenty of victories […]
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Regulation overhaul needed to accelerate ESG success in housebuilding
A joint study from Southampton-based law firm Womble Bond Dickinson and The University of Cambridge has found that clearer Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) regulation is needed to accelerate success and growth opportunities in the housebuilding sector. The research, titled ESG: Investing in the built environment, explores how ESG principles are impacting the operations of companies […]
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Menopause discrimination still rife in the workplace
Female employees are hiding their symptoms and discomfort to avoid discrimination in the workplace due to menopause, research by Sussex law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter has revealed. A new survey conducted by the firm shows that despite increased awareness by celebrities such as Davina McCall, women experiencing peri-menopause and menopausal symptoms are still embarrassed to […]
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Sales and output rise further as price pressures recede, according to NatWest PMI
South East companies signalled a desirable combination of receding price pressures and sustained economic growth in May, NatWest PMI data showed. Despite falling from 55.0 in April to 54.6, the headline NatWest South East PMI Business Activity Index — a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s […]
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Chancerygate acquires Horsham site to deliver 105,000 sq ft urban logistics development
Developer Chancerygate has acquired a 4.59-acre site in Southwater near Horsham to speculatively build 105,000 sq ft of Grade A urban logistics and industrial space. The site, which was formerly a manufacturing and logistics hub for global electronic manufacturer Sony, is located at Southwater Business Park approximately four miles south of Horsham. It is strategically […]
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Brachers and Crowe reveal role on DGA Group cross-border deal
Brachers and Crowe UK have advised DGA Group on its successful acquisition by Australian head-quartered TSA Management, coming hard on the heels of DGA’s acquisition of delay and planning consultancy Chronos in May 2023. DGA is an international firm providing quantum and delay expert services and commercial and planning advisory support to the international construction […]
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Kent Food Partnership tackles food crisis
Since the start of 2023, a group of stakeholders invested in Kent’s food system have been quietly working on the establishment of the Kent Food Partnership. The partnership brings together lead agencies Produced in Kent and Social Enterprise Kent with local government, public health, Kent Universities, food and drink business representatives and community groups to […]
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Midnight named ‘Small Consultancy of the Year’ for the South East
B2B PR agency Midnight, based in Brighton, has taken home the ‘Small Consultancy of the Year’ award at the PRCA Dare Awards 2023 for the whole of the South East. The agency has enjoyed an impressive five years of growth since its MBO in 2018, resulting in a 30% increase in fee income in 2022. […]
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Creativity and craft
Guildford-based startup Modern Classic Digital, founded by PR expert Barney Packer, has its sights set on success this year! Barney, tell us about yourself and the inspiration behind Modern Classic Digital. “My name is Barney Packer, and I’m a digital PR expert with eight years of experience in the media and communications industry. At the […]
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International recruitment scheme bolsters Azets’ audit team
Accountancy firm Azets, with offices in Surrey, has bolstered its audit team in the South with the appointment of 33 permanent audit seniors from across Africa under a new international recruitment scheme. Azets has partnered with GAP Talent, the international recruitment specialist, to deliver the scheme, which has welcomed 33 newly qualified accountants from South […]
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Crowe and CBM launch Manufacturing Outlook 2023 Survey
Manufacturers across the UK will get a chance to have their say as national audit, tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe and the Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM) partner to launch the annual Manufacturing Outlook 2023 Survey today. Johnathan Dudley, partner and head of manufacturing at Crowe, said: “Crowe and CBM value your views on […]
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Over two-fifths of UK hospitality businesses operating at a loss
New research from Peckwater Brands has found that over two-fifths of the UK’s hospitality businesses are operating at a loss, with the vast majority eyeing price increases during the next year. Peckwater Brands, Europe’s largest virtual food brand operator, commissioned an independent survey of 250 decision-makers in senior management positions within UK hospitality businesses (restaurants, […]
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Finance and accounting
How can SMEs effectively manage their finances to succeed in 2023 and beyond? South East Business asks the experts… March 2023 marked three years since the first lockdown – the start of the most challenging period for businesses since the 2008 financial crisis. Political uncertainty has made it difficult to forecast, plan and make investment […]
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Brewing Brothers opens Folkestone Harbour’s largest restaurant
Brewing Brothers Beachside, a brand-new taproom space anchored by a wood-fired oven-focussed menu, is now open at Folkestone Harbour. The new taproom space, brought to Folkestone Harbour by Hastings-based brewery Brewing Brothers, has become the largest single independent business to operate at the popular seaside destination. Accessed from Platform 2 of the historic Folkestone Harbour […]
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Digitom achieves B Corp Certification
Tunbridge Wells-based video production company Digitom has been recognised for its high standards of social and environmental performance, achieving B Corporation status. After an extensive verification process by B Lab, Digitom achieved an assessment score of 96.5 – significantly higher than the required 80 points. Founded by Tom Chown in 2010, the company has built […]
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Martin Tolhurst Solicitors opens new office in Gillingham
Kent law firm Martin Tolhurst Solicitors has announced the opening of a new office in Gillingham, which will be open for business from 6 June 2023. The Gillingham office, located at 4 Ambley Green, Gillingham Business Park, provides more than 6,000 square feet of modern office space divided over two floors, providing a comfortable and […]
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Quinn Estates announces continued sponsorship of Pride Canterbury
Kent property developer Quinn Estates will be the sponsor of the community stage at Pride Canterbury, taking place on 10 and 11 June, marking its third year of support for the event. Pride Canterbury is a spectacular celebration of LGBTQ+ identity for the whole family in the heart of the city centre. The weekend will […]
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Resilient businesses adapt strategies for growth, says HSBC
A third (36%) of UK businesses plan to adapt their strategies to navigate financial challenges over the next six months, new research from HSBC UK reveals. The findings demonstrate how resilient UK businesses are, with 29% stating that they had to adapt their business strategy over the past five years to survive. 12% said this […]
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New Wired Sussex CEO to champion regional digital economy
Wired Sussex has appointed CEO Iain McKenna to lead the non-profit membership organisation as it supports media, digital and technology businesses in the region. Iain joins Wired Sussex with extensive leadership experience, having worked in management roles for media businesses including Bauer Media, Heart FM, Original 106 FM, and as Global Radio’s regional managing director […]
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