More speakers have been confirmed for latest Kent and Medway Business Summit
Leading figures from business, government and academia have been confirmed as speakers for the 2022 Kent and Medway Business Summit, now being held on 28 April, with further names to be announced soon.
The sustainability-focused summit, hosted at the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus, will provide businesses owners and organisations from across the South East with an opportunity to connect, collaborate and learn while having their say in developing the regional and national economic landscape.
The speakers will give strategic presentations and lead collaborative workshops focussing on productivity, place-making, skills and sustainable innovation.
The speakers on sustainable business include:
- Kresse Wesling OBE, co-founder of Faversham-based luxury lifestyle accessories brand Elvis and Kresse, on using waste raw materials and donating 50% of profits back to charities
- Dan Crooks from Maidstone-based and carbon-negative company iFruits, on how valuing carbon works to create a sustainable business
- Simon Barnes, from the University of Kent, on the opportunity for Kent and Medway to use hydrogen as a more sustainable fuel for the future
Improving business productivity workshop leaders and speakers include:
- Bal Sandher, Managing Director of Rochester’s supplements manufacturer, Hectic Lifestyles, and winner of two 2021 KEiBA awards, on the supply chain and workforce challenges facing manufacturing
- Steve Samson, from Kent County Council, who will reveal the economic picture of international trade for Kent’s SMEs, based on new research by Kent Business School with regional businesses
A workshop on the importance of cultural and creative industries in place-making will also be held for attendees, with speakers including:
- Simon Storey, Chief Executive of Kent Cricket, on the role of sport in inspiring the next generation
- Yasmin Khan, former BBC journalist and a Trustee of Turner Contemporary, on the economic impact of the gallery’s first 10 years
- Emma Wilcox, Head of the Creative Estuary project, on the specific support needed by creative businesses to thrive
In a workshop dedicated to action needed to retain and attract a talented workforce within the region, expert speakers will include:
- Gill Monk, Managing Director and Founder of the employee-owned company All Health Matters
- Academics from the University of Kent’s signature research theme, Future Human, to explain the impact of developments in science and technology on humans’ place in work
- Victoria Copp-Crawley, Principal of Canterbury College, on what motivates young people joining the workforce
The workshops will follow keynote addresses from Phil Eckersley, the Bank of England; Councillor Roger Gough, Leader of Kent County Council; and Richard Hicks, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Place at Medway Council.
For the full agenda and to book tickets go to: Kent and Medway Business Summit 2022 – Welcome. An early bird discount is available until Friday 5 November.