On Tuesday 13 May the University hosted its ninth Kent and Medway Business Summit, welcoming businesses and policymakers to our Canterbury campus for a day of discussion around the big issues shaping Kent and Medway’s economy.
The event, delivered in partnership with Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and headline sponsors Leverets, highlighted the breadth of what the University has to offer the business community and its important role in connecting local communities to drive positive change in the region.
Following a day panel discussions, workshops, and ‘netwalking’ sessions – which included insightful conversation and collaboration around the future of Kent, the local skills landscape and AI in business – the summit drew to a close with a fireside chat between Kent’s Chancellor, YolanDa Brown OBE DL and Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL.
The conversation allowed YolanDa to discuss the journey that took her from Kent Business School student to an exciting and wide-ranging career as a musician, broadcaster, author, and entrepreneur. Her inspirational story of launching Soul Mama – her immersive dining and music space based in London – through a Guinness World Record breaking crowdfunding campaign, resonated particularly well with guests and showcased her business prowess.
In her capacity as University Chancellor, YolanDa also reiterated the importance of our alumni connections, maintaining that her first priority is to ‘bring the alumni closer’ to the University and to champion the community to be ‘an inspiration for our current students’
The University extends its thanks to everyone that supported the event alongside its partners and headline sponsors, with special thanks to session sponsors Walker Construction, Dodgems and Floss and AKITA, and the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses, Medway Council and Kent County Council.
Kent and Medway Business Summit is set to return in 2026 when the University looks forward to welcoming everyone back. Look out for updates here or sign up to receive Kent’s business news.
