Business event being held in Medway

This November, businesses throughout Medway and Kent will take the ultimate ‘Business Day Out’ at the Historic Dockyard Chatham for Kent B2B Medway.

Medway Council will be joining companies which are helping to power the county’s economy. The event will provide inspiration and tips for businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to follow in their footsteps.

Taking place on Tuesday, 7 November, the day will combine a fantastic speaker programme with a B2B exhibition showcasing Medway – one of Kent’s leading places for innovation. The speaker and workshop programme features:

Richard Hicks, Director of Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation at Medway Council

Richard Hicks will share Medway’s rich heritage and plans for a great future, including an aspiration to become a waterfront university city. With plans to build 29,000 new homes and create 17,000 new jobs by 2035, Medway offers many exciting new development opportunities. Richard will showcase the development proposals for key sites such as Rochester Riverside, Chatham Waterfront, Chatham Waters and Strood Riverside.

James Flower, Healthy Settings Programme Manager, Medway Council

James will outline some key figures as to why a healthy workplace is important, the benefits to businesses and how you can go about creating a healthy workplace culture in your organisation.

Delegates will be put through their paces by Medway Council’s Public Health team with ‘Netwalking’ activities, Health MOTs, posture tips and wellbeing checks offering advice on a faster route to a healthier workplace.

Luke Quilter, CEO, Sleeping Giant Media

Kent entrepreneur Luke started his business in a dining room while he was working in a full-time job and studying a masters level degree. Nine years later, with no funding, Luke has worked with his business partner to take the business from a dining room start up to an award-winning agency with nearly £2million in turnover, employing more than 40 staff.

Matthew Russell, Co-Founder, Copper Rivet Distillery – Medway

The Copper Rivet Distillery has transformed the iconic Pump House Number 5, adding its own exciting chapter to the regeneration of the former Chatham Dockyard. As well as sharing business tips and advice, Matthew will invite delegates to sample handcrafted gin later in the day.

Matthew Norwell, Chief Executive, Thames Gateway Kent Partnership

2017 marks an exciting, challenging and important moment in the regeneration of the Thames Gateway in north Kent. Get the latest on the government’s Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission, Lower Thames Crossing, Ebbsfleet Garden City, London Resort Theme Park, as well as updates on the regeneration of Medway, Dartford, Gravesham and Swale.

Aimee Payne, Cyber Crime Protect Office, Kent Police

Aimee, a member of the newly-formed Kent Police Cyber Crime Unit, will provide essential information to help businesses protect themselves from cyber-attack and share real life examples with delegates.

Adrian Cole, Sales Representative, Frameless Glass Curtains – Medway

Chatham-based Frameless Glass Curtains launched a forward-thinking product in one of the most challenging business climates. Track this innovation story from initial idea through their growth, where they provide high spec glass walls for the likes of Manchester United, Audi and Aston Martin.

Catherine Daw, Partner and Head of Employment and Sarah Hewitt, Commercial Solicitor, Brachers LLP

Brachers will be holding a session to discuss the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that comes into effect in May next year, which will make substantial changes to the way businesses must handle personal data.

Ian Jennings, Managing Director, Jubilee Clips,
Ian is the great-grandson of Commander Lumley Robinson, the inventor of the Jubilee® worm drive hose clip, and remains a global supplier with manufactured products recognised worldwide as a mark of excellence.

Alexandra Auger, Founder, The Juice Executive

Alexandra is one of Kent’s brightest business prospects, building her cold press juice company into an award-winning concern. Beginning with a taste of a fresh product in Indonesia, Alexandra knew she had to get this product to people in the UK. The challenge – disrupting a traditional supply chain in order to change the way people could drink fresh juice on a bigger scale.

Additional digital expertise will be provided by Eonic, Kent web strategists specialising in online marketing results for the B2B, industrial and technology sectors. Trevor Spinks, chief executive of the Tunbridge Wells based business will demystify website success and give delegates 10 steps to getting results online.

Now in its 31st year, this is the first time the expo will come to the heart of Medway. A Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce event, Kent B2B Medway is sponsored by Medway Council, Caxtons, Quinn Estates, Lavender Blue Media and KM Media Group.

As well as attending talks and workshops, delegates will explore a diverse pool of exhibitors throughout the iconic venue.

Attend the event

The event is open 8.30am to 4pm, taking place across the Historic Dockyard site. Commissioner’s House will host the main speaker programme, and the Steam, Steel and Submarines gallery will hold the B2B expo, bite-size workshops and interactive and tastings zone.

Delegates will get full access to all areas of the historic attraction too, giving them a chance to enjoy the exhibits such as the Victorian Ropery.

Kent B2B Medway is free to attend, register online.