Hello Kent Business Community

Welcome to this week’s Kent Business Newsletter.

You’ll find award wins, bold new brands, smart leadership, and real advice! Reflect Digital and Becky Simms walked away with two major honours. Pauzewear from Tunbridge Wells is rising fast as a fresh voice in UK streetwear. Azets’ Eddi Taylor secured another national recognition. Ramsgate is gearing up for a serious conversation about the future of coastal enterprise. Embridge Consulting extended its winning streak. Plus, there’s a useful update on child benefit repayments that will matter to thousands of Kent families.

Got a business launch, win or story to share? Send it to [email protected] and we’ll help spread the word - for free!

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

It was a night of celebration for Reflect Digital as Founder and CEO Becky Simms took home the Outstanding Contribution to Business in Kent award, while her agency was named Employer of the Year at the Kent Chamber of Commerce Awards 2025.

Becky was honoured for her long-standing impact on Kent’s economy, from creating jobs and inspiring young digital talent to championing flexible, human-first work culture. Under her leadership, Reflect Digital became the first Kent business to move to a four-day week and now employs 75 staff globally. Becky’s passion for supporting young people through initiatives like Aspiration Digital has already reached thousands of students — and she’s only just getting started.

➡️ How does a local founder turn passion into county-wide impact? Read the full story to find out. 

In just a few months, Pauzewear has gone from a creative idea in Tunbridge Wells to one of the UK’s most talked-about new streetwear brands. Founded by radio DJ, poet, and designer Gav Pauze, the label blends roots culture, expressive design, and hands-on craft. Every detail - from the artwork to the website - has been shaped by Gav himself, giving Pauzewear an authenticity that’s rare in an age of automated everything.

With bold visuals, limited drops, and real human connection at its core, Pauzewear is building more than a clothing line - it’s creating a movement. The next chapter’s already loading, and it looks big.

➡️ Read about what Pauzewear is doing differently 

For the second time in three years, Canterbury’s own Eddi Taylor has been named one of the UK’s brightest young accountants in Accountancy Age’s prestigious 35 Under 35 list. Now Regional Managing Partner for Azets in the South East, Taylor’s recognition reflects not just technical skill but his standout approach to leadership - calm, people-first, and rooted in mentoring the next generation.

Having joined Azets 12 years ago and made Partner by 29, he’s among the youngest to hold a senior leadership post at the firm. His focus? Growth that’s sustainable and success that’s shared.

➡️ Find out how Taylor’s redefining what modern accountancy leadership looks like - and why his approach is winning admiration across the UK 

Ramsgate is set to host some of the UK’s brightest business minds next March as the Seaside Summit takes over Albion House. The one-day event, led by Emma Jones CBE, will explore how Britain’s coastal towns are becoming hotbeds of entrepreneurship, creativity and community revival.

Speakers from Vodafone, The Post Office, Southeastern Rail and more will join policymakers and local founders to discuss investment, innovation and how seaside towns can attract talent and new business. With small firms booming in coastal areas and 10% of international visitors heading to the coast, momentum is building fast.

➡️ Could the sea really be the next frontier for UK enterprise? Find out what’s brewing on the shoreline. 

Every November, Global Bookkeeping Week shines a light on the unsung heroes keeping UK businesses in shape. It’s not just a celebration for bookkeepers - it’s a sharp reminder for business owners that good records are the backbone of every smart decision. From cash flow clarity to tax readiness, bookkeeping is what keeps companies steady when markets wobble.

At Rosemary Bookkeeping North Kent, this week is about more than appreciation. It’s a call to action: check your systems, question your reports, and make sure your numbers work for you. If they don’t, it might be time to bring in help.

➡️ Curious what better bookkeeping could do for your business? See how we’re celebrating GBW here 

Gravesham-based Embridge Consulting has done it again, taking home the title of Best Professional Services Consultancy at the 2025 Gravesham Business Awards. The people-first digital transformation firm, founded in 2009, has now won the category three years in a row, earning a reputation for blending technical skill with genuine empathy.

Judges praised its focus on client collaboration, innovation, and employee wellbeing – all underpinned by Embridge’s unique Business Transformation as a Service model and in-house LEO integration platform. With 2025 also marking its official Great Place to Work certification, the consultancy continues to prove that community values and business growth can go hand in hand.

➡️ What’s behind Embridge’s winning streak, and how does ‘people-first’ really look in practice? Find out here. 

Don’t Miss Out On New Child Benefit Repayment Option, Azets Warns 

Kent people earning more than £60,000 a year have a new way to manage their child benefit repayments following a change in HMRC’s process, according to a senior payroll professional. 

Chris Waterson, Director of Payroll South at international accountancy and business advisory group Azets, said those who were eligible could now manage their High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) repayments monthly.   

“Previously, people who had to repay HICBC had to do so via a self-assessment tax return, but that changed at the end of September when HMRC announced that it could be done through PAYE,” she said. 

“Now, staff can have their HICBC repayments automatically collected every month through their PAYE code if they don’t have any other reason to complete a self-assessment tax return.  

“HMRC will update the code so the repayment is spread evenly throughout the year – much like income tax or student loan repayments.  

“However, it’s worth being aware that if you opt in part-way through a tax year you will have less time to repay and will find there’s a larger deduction made via your tax code – but this will only be temporary. 

“If you’re eligible and register for this, it will save you time and reduce the risk of an unexpected bill at the end of the tax year.” 

Azets has Kent offices in Maidstone, Ashford, Canterbury, Sandwich and Sidcup.

The High Income Child Benefit Charge applies where a parent or partner earns more than £60,000 per year and receives Child Benefit.  

To pay via PAYE for the 2024–25 tax year, eligible employees must register with HMRC by 31 January 2026 and you only need to register once.  

HMRC will issue the appropriate tax code adjustments to employers so the HICBC can be automatically collected via payroll from the month after you register.  

Chris added: “This is a great opportunity for people to manage their child benefit repayments through their PAYE and remove the need to complete an annual self-assessment, but the clock is ticking when it comes to registration.  

“My advice to those who are eligible for this option is to register as soon as possible via the Government website or the HMRC app.” 

Chris leads and oversees the payroll operations of Azets’ external processing teams within the South and West regions, managing complex payroll requirements at scale.

With almost a decade’s financial industry experience, Chris is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).

Joining Jules and Paul on the business bunker this week was Simon Thomas of Contact. Contacta has more than 50 years’ expertise in the assistive listening sector. They are members of a number of industry bodies that aim to improve provision and standards of assistive listening systems, and their talented in-house design team ensures that our products are at the forefront of technology!

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

Kent Business Community, before you go… 
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