Hello Kent Business Community

Welcome to this week’s Kent Business Newsletter

From Tunbridge Wells to Canterbury and Sandwich, this week’s edition is packed with bold moves and inspiring reinventions. BG Insurance is shifting gears for a major growth push under new ownership, while Discovery Park prepares to welcome a world-first science sixth form. Prezzo Italian Canterbury returns with style (and half-price food), and Europa Worldwide enters a new leadership era. Plus, we spotlight a purpose-driven founder brewing wellness success in Ashford, explore why your workplace pension might not be enough, and reveal Herne Bay’s newest coastal community.

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If you missed previous editions you can catch-up here.

After more than two decades of steady growth in Kent, BG Insurance is entering an ambitious new phase under the ownership of Well Dunn Group. Once a small two-person startup, the Tunbridge Wells broker is now one of the UK’s leading names in driving instructor insurance, and it’s preparing to scale up even further.

With major investments in technology, customer service, and local recruitment, BG Insurance is reinventing itself for the digital age. But how far can this specialist broker go in reshaping the future of niche motor insurance?

👉 Click through to discover how BG Insurance plans to accelerate its national expansion and redefine customer service in its industry. 

A pioneering new sixth form is opening at Discovery Park in Sandwich, designed for students who live and breathe science. Carbon 6 Academy of Science will give 16–18-year-olds access to real working labs, top mentors, and pathways into university or degree apprenticeships.

Students will study A-levels in science and maths while surrounded by world-leading biotech and pharma companies. It’s the first UK sixth form based inside a live science park - where lessons happen steps away from genuine innovation. Could this be where the next generation of scientists is born?

👉 Applications open soon. Discover more and register for the November open evening now. 

Prezzo Italian Canterbury is back and looking better than ever. The High Street favourite has had a full makeover, with a stylish new design, refreshed menu, and the same warm Italian hospitality locals love.

To celebrate, diners can enjoy 50% off all food until 19 October - and one lucky guest could win free pizza and pasta for a whole year. Curious what’s new on the menu or how to enter the giveaway? You’ll have to see for yourself.

👉 Don’t miss out - click through to find out how to claim your half-price meal and enter the big giveaway! 

A well-known Kent hotel and wedding venue has found new life after being sold for £1.7 million. Little Silver Country Hotel in Tenterden, which recently closed its doors, has been bought by local entrepreneur Terence Haigh, known for building and selling two successful food businesses.

Haigh plans to fully refurbish the property, from its 16 en-suite rooms to its gardens, with aims to reopen by the end of the year. What fresh vision will he bring to one of Kent’s most beloved country hotels?

Discover what’s next for this Kent landmark and how it could shape local hospitality — click to read the full story. 

Europa Worldwide Group is entering a new chapter as Jack Baxter steps up as Operations Director from January 2026. He succeeds industry veteran Dan Cook, who is retiring after three decades of innovation that helped transform the Dartford-based logistics giant into a £300m+ global player.

With experience across Europe and a strong commercial background, Jack brings a fresh vision for the future of road freight. How will this next-generation leader shape Europa’s continued expansion and innovation?

👉 Discover what’s next for Europa’s evolution - click to read the full story.  

Wellington HR, a Somerset-based consultancy known for its people-first approach, has become an employee-owned trust. The move secures the firm’s long-term future and rewards the team who helped it grow from a kitchen-table idea to a thriving business with over £250,000 turnover.

Founder Dr Shelley Poole says employee ownership reflects the company’s values of fairness and teamwork. The change has already boosted energy and motivation across the team. But how will shared ownership shape Wellington HR’s next chapter?

👉 Discover how this bold shift is redefining what it means to grow a business with heart - click to read the full story. 

A stunning new retirement community is about to open its doors in Herne Bay. Herne Bay Gardens, located on Canterbury Road, offers 50 elegant one and two-bedroom bungalows just a short walk from the coast and town centre. Each home has been designed for comfort, independence, and peace of mind, with the option of support whenever it’s needed.

Residents will enjoy landscaped gardens, private patios, and a friendly community spirit, alongside a new care home run by Dunham Care. With its grand opening weekend approaching, could this be Herne Bay’s most desirable new address?

👉 Discover more about Herne Bay Gardens and book your visit today.  

Big Motoring World is making it easier for Kent drivers to switch to electric by raising its EV finance contribution from £500 to £750 and extending the offer until the end of the year. With over 1,500 used EVs from 30 brands, customers now have more choice than ever to go green without breaking the bank.

The Group’s new ‘Big Assist Protect EV & Hybrid Warranty’ adds extra peace of mind, covering battery repairs or replacements up to £10,000. EV sales are already up 100% year on year — but what’s driving the surge in demand?

👉 Find out how this move could transform EV ownership in Kent - click to read the full story. 

🌟 Kent Expert Insights 🌟

Kent Workers Warned: Your Workplace Pension Might Not Be Enough

Tunbridge Wells IFA Louise Fitzgerald urges locals to check their pension projections before it’s too late.

Independent Financial Adviser Louise Fitzgerald is sounding the alarm for local workers: relying solely on your workplace pension may leave you financially short in retirement. Louise is encouraging residents across Kent and Sussex to take a proactive look at their future finances - before assumptions turn into shortfalls.

Since the introduction of automatic enrolment, millions of employees have been added to workplace pension schemes - a move widely praised across the UK. But Louise, who works closely with individuals, families, and business owners throughout the region, warns that many people are still at risk of falling short when they retire.

“There’s a dangerous assumption that being enrolled means you’re covered,” explains Louise. “But in reality, the minimum contribution levels are just that - the bare minimum. Most people will need to contribute more to achieve a comfortable and secure retirement.”

As she points out, the standard 8% minimum typically includes both the employer and employee contributions, and it’s often calculated on qualifying earnings, not total salary. This leaves many people - particularly part-time workers, women returning from maternity leave, or those with irregular earnings - at risk of underfunding their retirement.

Louise, who is known for her straight-talking, lifestyle-first approach to financial planning, says one of the biggest misconceptions is that pensions can be left on autopilot. “It’s not about fear-mongering - it’s about understanding. When people see what their current trajectory looks like in retirement income terms, they often realise they have more control than they thought.”

“Too many people treat workplace pensions like a ‘set and forget’ savings pot,” she says. “But if you wouldn’t trust a single standing order to buy your future dream home, why trust one to fund your entire retirement? You need to know what your numbers actually mean - and whether they match the lifestyle you want.”

To help demystify workplace pensions and encourage more proactive planning, Louise is currently offering free 15-minute ‘pension check-ins’ via Zoom or phone for Kent-based employees, freelancers and small business owners.

Louise continues to work with clients of all ages and stages - from those just starting out to those in retirement - and is passionate about helping people build a financial plan that fits the life they want to lead.

Louise Fitzgerald is an Independent Financial Adviser with Sterling & Law Tunbridge Wells, supporting individuals, families and business owners across the Southeast. With a focus on clarity, care, and personalised service, she helps clients make confident financial decisions - from pensions and investments to protection and inheritance planning.

Contact Details
Name: Louise Fitzgerald
Business Name: Sterling & Law Tunbridge Wells
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07891 039 256
Website: www.sterlingandlaw.com/locations/financial-advice-tunbridge-wells
Instagram: www.instagram.com/louise.fitzgerald_ifa

🌟 Kent Networking Events 🌟

Connecting with fellow entrepreneurs, potential partners, and customers is vital for business growth. Kent offers a variety of networking opportunities (you could literally go to a different one every day if you wanted!) to help you expand your professional circle and enhance your business prospects.

Prepare Questions That Impress
Avoid generic questions like “What’s the company culture like?” Instead, ask: “What’s the biggest challenge your team is trying to solve right now?”

🌟 Business Events & Shows In Kent 🌟

🌟 Kent Business Radio Show 🌟

The brilliant and highly entertaining Paul and Jules brought us another cracking show this week, full of banter and the latest business news and events from across Kent!

On the show this week was Martin Stone of Overview Consultancy. They help organisations in the social housing maintenance sector navigate complex bid management, drive new business generation, and develop strategic solutions.

To listen to this week’s show in full visit Kent Business Radio

Kent Business Community, before you go… 
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