Month: February 2024
Discovery Park to host International Women’s Day events
Discovery Park, Kent’s thriving life science community, is marking International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March with events dedicated to supporting women in business and tackling gender bias in healthcare.
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Beau Property grows home staging business with senior expert design appointment
Beau Property Home Staging, based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, has appointed expert interior designer Ellen Leedham to join its growing team.
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Survey finds UK tax policies stifling business growth and innovation
UK tax policies are restricting business growth and innovation, according to new research by accountancy and advisory firm Azets, which has offices in Surrey and Kent.
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Kent housebuilder encourages more young people into construction
Ahead of National Careers Week (4-9 March), Kent housebuilder Redrow is encouraging more young people to consider a career in construction.
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Brighton’s Rubix VT welcomes four new additions to rapidly expanding team
Leading independent business telecoms provider Rubix VT has announced four new additions to its fast-growing team in Brighton.
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Construction firm opens Sussex office in Pacific House
Building company BMR Construction has moved into a second-floor office in Pacific House, based at Eastbourne’s Sovereign Harbour Innovation Park, to manage its portfolio of public and community projects in Sussex and expand into social housing.
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Pilbeam Construction sees bright future following management buy-out
West Sussex-based Pilbeam Construction has announced a management buy-out which sees Alan Corbett and Andrew Arrow take over the business from owner Simon Pilbeam, following his retirement.
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First CEO appointed at Folkestone’s Leas Lift
Folkestone’s Leas Lift has appointed Floortje Hoette as its first CEO, who will lead the restoration and reopening of the nationally significant heritage asset.
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Over a fifth of UK’s top 100 universities are not providing degree apprenticeships
The barriers to unlocking highly skilled workforces and economic growth across the South East have been uncovered by new research, which reveals that over a fifth (22%) of the UK’s top 100 universities still don’t deliver degree apprenticeships.
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Westerham pub reopens with a luxurious new look
The White Hart in Westerham, a town located in the Sevenoaks district of Kent, has undergone a stunning refurbishment and reopened to guests with a new look on Saturday 17 February.
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Net Zero Technology Centre announces 2024 clean energy accelerator startup cohort
The Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) has announced its 2024 TechX Clean Energy Accelerator startup cohort.
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Carpenter Box joins Sumer Group
Sussex and South East accountants Carpenter Box has joined Sumer, a fast-growing UK accountancy and professional services group, which focuses on serving SMEs.
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10-year cultural strategy to boost Surrey as a county
The county of Surrey can be one of the UK’s cultural powerhouses within the next 10 years, say researchers from the University of Surrey.
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Floc. Brewery opens new bar at Folkestone Harbour
Folkestone Harbour has proudly announced that pioneering Kentish beer brand and brewery Floc. is now open at The Goods Yard.
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Kent wedding venue The Ferry House plans expansion
Kent wedding venue The Ferry House is primed for further expansion, with plans to build a beautiful new wedding barn in time for spring 2026 weddings.
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The East Malling Trust announces acquisition of Brogdale Farm
The home of one of the world’s largest collections of fruit trees has been purchased by The East Malling Trust, a charity that champions the advancement of science in horticulture and agriculture.
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Kent’s Trinity Surfacing invests in fleet to support growth
Trinity Surfacing, a rapidly expanding highways surfacing firm in Kent, has chosen a new vehicles partner as it looks to build on impressive growth over the next decade.
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New startup companies in Kent reach an all-time high in 2023
Recently published figures reveal that more new businesses were established in Kent during 2023 than in the previous year, making the county one of the most successful in the UK.
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Start Up Loans provides more than £10m of finance to 18-24-year-old South East entrepreneurs
Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank, today announces that it has provided more than £100m worth of funding to business owners aged between 18-24 years old, equating to more than 15,000 loans since the programme launched in 2012. From that national total, more than £10m of funding has gone to 1,291 Gen Z businesses in the South East.
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Redrow South East launches fund to support local community projects in Kent
Premium housebuilder Redrow South East has launched its first official community fund to help continue its support of the incredible community work led by groups, schools, organisations and individuals across Kent.
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Brighton’s Altnets climbs the ranks of the Elite Business league
Altnets, a leading telecoms supplier based in Brighton, has announced its continued success in being recognised as one of the UK’s top 100 SMEs for the second year running.
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Research reveals gap in succession planning among UK businesses
New research by accountancy and advisory firm Azets has revealed that fewer than one in 10 UK businesses have succession planning fully integrated into their strategy, despite 30% of companies demonstrating a widespread recognition of its importance.
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Freedom Works opens its tenth site in Brighton
Freedom Works has signed a 15-year partnership turnover lease with landlord Brighton & Hove City Council for 16,323 sq ft of space at Bartholomew House.
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Scale Up Ashford scheme continues to support businesses in the Borough
As part of its continued commitment to developing the economic prosperity of the borough, Ashford Borough Council is once again working with Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce (KICC) to roll out the Scale Up Ashford programme to support businesses.
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The Human First Collective officially launches
Reflect Digital CEO and founder Becky Simms and COO Paul Simms, based in Kent, have announced the launch of the Human First Collective, a collection of businesses “putting humans at the centre of their approach”.
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Restaurant Interlude wins first Michelin Green Star for West Sussex
Restaurant Interlude, based at historic Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, has been awarded a prestigious Michelin Green Star – making it the first recipient of this accolade in West Sussex.
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Demand for development land in the South East expected to increase
Residential development land values fell further on a national level during the last quarter of 2023, with fewer sites sold and fewer bids received on sites marketed, according to a new report by Savills.
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Amplifi celebrates successful sustainability event for businesses
Amplifi, a local initiative aiming to amplify environmentally-conscious business and support the community, welcomed over 120 guests at a free business launch event at The Amelia Scott, Tunbridge Wells on 31 January.
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Boutique Modern expands in Newhaven with new factory
B-Corp modular housing company Boutique Modern will start building a new factory in Newhaven this year which will create more than 35 further jobs and double business capacity.
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A promising horizon: Positive trends in the UK mortgage market
Over the last 18 months, the UK property market has been in a period of flux. However, the tide is changing, presenting a positive outlook for homebuyers. Several key factors contribute to this optimistic landscape, including a decline in inflation, a trend of lower fixed rates and a correction in house prices. As we delve […]
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UK Power Networks invests £11.5m in East Sussex power upgrade
UK Power Networks is investing £11.5 million in the electricity grid near Heathfield in East Sussex to future-proof the power network for thousands of residents.
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Prioritising Businesses
Skills remain a key focus of the Chamber as it is the people in our organisations who deliver the successes we are familiar with. We need them to be suitably trained and we need to be able to access the training and skills necessary. We have now launched our Opportunities tab, allowing employers and training […]
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COP28 Activities
COP28, UN Climate Change Conference – United Arab Emirates 2023, from 30 November to 12 December, is a key date for the international community to come together and set out how to meet the Climate Challenge as a planet. The British Chamber Network and members will be actively taking part in COP28 events and initiatives. […]
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Fostering Growth
As I write, we eagerly await the King’s Speech and my fingers are crossed that it’s one that will support business and business growth. There have been far too many impediments to growth over the past five-plus years and this could be an opportunity to start to turn things around, show signs of positivity and […]
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Crowe UK continues to help organisations keep on top of international trade tax developments
Industry leaders from across Kent gathered at Crowe UK’s Maidstone office for the firm’s latest International Trade event where updates on a range of international trade developments were provided. The event was hosted by Crowe UK’s Head of Manufacturing – Johnathan Dudley – and included presentations provided by Crowe UK’s Customs team, Ian Worth, Jamie […]
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Directors’ Duties and The Threat of Insolvency
With the UK economy facing an uncertain path on account of domestic and global upheaval, businesses continue to face challenges, and it is essential for directors to be mindful of their duties both generally and more particularly where there is the risk of insolvency. The Insolvency Service has issued refresher guidance on the Government website […]
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Crawley day nursery acquired by Little Barn Owls
Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has announced the sale of Brookfield Day Nursery & Holiday Club in Crawley, Sussex.
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Gym relocates with Newhaven Enterprise Zone funding
A derelict industrial building in Newhaven has been transformed into a 24-hour gym with the help of funding from Newhaven Enterprise Zone’s Sites and Empty Property Fund.
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Building intelligence
Surrey Research Park-based Direk’s advanced occupancy monitoring and location tracking capabilities go from strength to strength
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Navigating the HR Risksat Workplace Gatherings
After a few years of disruption due to the pandemic, workplace gatherings are firmly back on the scene; whether it’s regular drinks after work, networking events, or an all-company party. Everyone deserves to relax and have fun; however, employers should always plan ahead to ensure that they do not have an ‘employment law […]
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Unlocking Commercial Mortgages
Despite the challenging economic environment business owners continue to seek a commercial mortgage to fund the purchasing, expansion, renovation or refinancing of commercial premises. A commercial mortgage can allow a business owner to seize growth opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. But, as with all borrowing, there will be conditions attached. Owning a […]
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Sowing the seeds
William English CBE, a seasoned veteran and the proprietor of Owen English & Son, is strategically diversifying to ensure the long-term sustainability of his business
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2024 Promises Another Year of Uncertainty When all Business wants is Stability
Whatever you think of the merits of HS2, it is unquestionable that the project suffered from stops, starts, redesigns and complications – all of which contributed to the spiralling costs. That shouldn’t surprise anyone. Uncertainty increases risk and costs then rise as parties try to mitigate the risk or be compensated for accepting it. The […]
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Confidence Breeds Confidence
It was disappointing, but not surprising, that companies in the South East have reported lower confidence in their own business prospects, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. What can we do to turn this around given the challenging economic climate? Confidence breeds confidence, just like success breeds success. The survey […]
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‘Time to Talk Day’ encourages conversations about mental health
A survey conducted by Censuswide as part of today’s Time to Talk Day, the nation’s biggest conversation about mental health, run by mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, has unearthed key insights into the state of employee mental wellbeing.
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Strong start to 2024 for South East business confidence
Business confidence in the South East rose three points during January to 32%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
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