Becky Simms, founder and CEO of Kent-based digital marketing agency Reflect Digital, has been awarded the prestigious ‘Outstanding Contribution to Business in Kent’ honour, while Reflect Digital was simultaneously named ‘Employer of the Year’ at this year’s Kent Chamber of Commerce Awards.
The awards, which recognise significant contribution to the Kent economy through job creation, investment, workplace culture and community involvement, were presented at the annual awards ceremony at Westenhanger Castle, Hythe, on 20 November.
Becky was nominated and selected for the accolade – acknowledging her sustained impact across the Kent business community – by a panel of peers, including fellow Kent Ambassador Allison Campbell-Clarke; Geoff Miles, chair of the Kent Ambassadors; and Paul King from Kent County Council.
Previous winners include Mark Quinn of Quinn Estates (2024) and Miranda Chapman of Pillory Barn (2023).
Becky’s influence and contribution to the Kent economy spans entrepreneurial leadership, championing digital skills, youth development, women’s health, and workplace innovation and culture. Her key achievements include:
- Serving as a Kent Ambassador since 2018, and as a national and local advocate for the county. Becky also sits on the government’s Digital Skills Council to advise on strategy for the future of work and has worked for three years as an advisor for the MBA programme at the University of Kent.
- Founding and spearheading Aspiration Digital, the renowned one-day digital skills conference aimed at inspiring the next generation of digital talent. With its next event happening in December, by the end of 2025, the annual careers conference will have supported over 3,000 sixth-form students, helping bridge the gap between education and the world of work.
- Employing around 75 members of staff in Kent and globally, fostering a human-first environment that was recently awarded third place in Campaign’s Best Places to Work. Reflect Digital was the first business in Kent to introduce a four-day working week. It also allows its employees to work fully remote, offering up enhanced work-life balance.
- In addition to Becky’s personal honour, Reflect Digital took home the award for Employer of the Year – praised for its inclusive policies and building a human-first workplace culture, including women’s health, mental wellbeing and flexible working practices. The company was also championed for its focus on balancing human brilliance with innovation, AI and the best of technology.
Becky said: “It’s an incredible achievement to take home two awards, and fantastic recognition for the work environment our team all helps us to create. Reflect Digital has emerged stronger, more unified and primed for sustainable growth, with a people strategy at the heart that underpins our success.
“Everything I do to support my community and the county of Kent comes from a genuine passion for helping people. One of my biggest drivers in life is helping young people bridge the gap between the school curriculum and the world of work.
“I remember feeling quite lost when I left school, knowing I wanted to run a business but having no idea how to make it happen. I want more young people to feel excited about their future careers and to see the digital sector as a place where they can thrive.
“What makes my award even more meaningful is that I didn’t put myself forward for it. To be recognised in this way, for simply doing what I love, is incredibly humbling. It’s never been about the accolades; it’s always been about the impact. But this has given me a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and feel proud of how far we’ve come.”
