Kent Business Newsletter - Issue 27

Your connection to Kent's business community

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Kent Business Newsletter
December 18, 2025

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thank you for your support in 2025…

See you in 2026!

Hi Kent Business Community

Welcome to the last Kent Business Newsletter of 2025!

As well as covering this week’s local business news, we’ve included a preview of January’s networking events that will help you kick off 2026!

You’ll read about Brachers marking ten years as headline sponsor of the Leeds Castle Concert, fresh insight from property leaders on why London links still drive Kent’s appeal, and Chapel House Estate winning Gold again at the Beautiful South Awards.

There are also powerful stories of giving and care, from Stannah staff raising over £40,000 for charity, to a Kent care assistant named the best in the UK, plus expert insight on the rise of petnups and a life-saving defibrillator donation to a local football club.

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.

This Week’s Kent Business News

➡️ Brachers Marks a Decade Sponsoring Leeds Castle Concert

Brachers will return as headline sponsor for the Leeds Castle Concert in 2026, marking ten consecutive years supporting one of Kent’s best-loved summer events. The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, led by John Rigby, will once again take the stage on Saturday 11 July. The concert attracts thousands each year for an evening of live music in a historic setting.

Managing Partner Joanna Worby said the milestone reflects Brachers’ long-standing commitment to Kent’s community and cultural life.

➡️ London Links Still Kent’s Biggest Draw, Say Property Leaders

Kent’s closeness to London remains its trump card, according to property experts at the launch of the Kent Property Market Report. Eight in ten attendees picked the capital connection as the county’s top strength, followed by its ports and fast rail links. But beneath the optimism ran a warning: while location sells, costs bite. Two-thirds said high land values were the biggest challenge for investors and developers.

Confidence in the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing is rising, yet concerns linger over planning, utilities and skills. With land value both Kent’s advantage and Achilles’ heel, the county’s future may depend on how it balances growth with affordability.

➡️ Chapel House Estate Strikes Gold Again At Beautiful South Awards

Chapel House Estate has done it again. The Kent wedding venue has been crowned Wedding Venue of the Year at the Beautiful South Awards 2025/2026, taking home Gold for the second time in three years. Not bad for a family-run estate that’s only been hosting weddings since 2022.

Judges praised its mix of heritage and modern style, thoughtful sustainability and the kind of personal service that rivals long-established venues across the South East. The estate’s restaurant, number nine, also picked up Silver for Best Restaurant, cementing Chapel House Estate’s growing reputation as a destination for both weddings and fine dining.

➡️ Stannah Employees Raise Over £40,000 For Charity In A Year Of Giving

Stannah has marked an incredible year of fundraising, with employees and the Joseph Stannah Foundation helping to raise more than £40,000 for good causes in 2025. From marathons and mountain climbs to bake-offs and abseils, staff across the business threw themselves into challenges big and small, all boosted by Stannah’s generous match-funding scheme.

Highlights include brave souls taking on the 418-foot Northampton Lift Tower abseil, marathon miles run across London and Sydney, and everything from 100km walks to 300-mile cycle rides. Every pound doubled, every effort celebrated.

It’s a powerful reminder of how teamwork and a bit of courage can turn small acts into lasting impact.

➡️ Kent Charities Benefit From Hendy Foundation’s Latest Funding

Three Kent charities have received vital funding from the Hendy Foundation, part of a £61,000 programme supporting 50 community groups across the South of England this year. Baby Umbrella, Abbey Physic Community Garden, and Something in Kent will use their grants to improve local health, wellbeing, and family support.

The Foundation’s standout 2025 initiative, ‘Two Wheels for Meals’, saw chef and ambassador Rosemary Shrager cycle 450 miles to raise £35,000 for food poverty projects, funding 34 local initiatives including several in Kent. Since 2018, the Foundation has donated nearly £450,000 to small charities across the region.

➡️ Bedfont Scientific Sets The Bar For Workplace Wellbeing

Bedfont Scientific Limited has been named winner of the AHM Health & Wellbeing Award at this year’s Kent Business Awards. The MedTech firm, now in its 49th year, stood out for its genuine commitment to staff wellbeing. Its team of “Wellbeing Warriors” - all Mental Health First Aid-trained - ensure colleagues are supported and encouraged to take breaks and protect their mental health. Wellbeing Manager Claire Dadswell said the award recognises how deeply the company lives its values, not just talks about them. The recognition marks another step in Bedfont’s ongoing effort to make care and support a daily habit, not a slogan.

➡️ Why Couples Are Signing ‘Petnups’ To Protect Their Pets

When relationships end, the hardest question can be who keeps the pet. Lawyers at Birketts in Sevenoaks say more couples are now signing “petnups” to avoid heartache and costly disputes. A petnup sets out who owns and cares for the animal if you split, covering costs, custody, and contact. It follows a 2024 court case where a judge ruled in favour of keeping a dog with the children for emotional continuity - a sign that courts now see pets as sentient beings, not just property. With the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act in force, petnups are fast becoming smart emotional insurance for pet owners.

➡️ Bedfont Scientific Donates Defibrillator To Medway United FC

Medway United FC has received an early Christmas gift that could save lives. Bedfont Scientific, a Kent-based medical technology company, donated a defibrillator to the club after learning its grant had been delayed. CEO Jason Smith, who also coaches the club’s under-11 girls’ team, secured the equipment through Defib Supplies at a reduced cost. With 80,000 cardiac arrests happening outside hospitals in the UK each year, fast access to a defibrillator can make all the difference. The donation gives the club and its young players peace of mind, knowing they can act quickly if the unthinkable happens.

➡️ Kent Care Assistant Named Caremark’s ‘Incredible of the Year’

Rajwant Sandhu from Dartford has been named Caremark’s most ‘Incredible’ care assistant of 2025, chosen from more than 6,500 carers nationwide. Known for her calm professionalism and deep compassion, Rajwant has been supporting customers in Kent since 2019. Her thoughtful approach, from helping resistant clients to advocating for those with dementia, has earned her the trust and love of families across the region. Colleagues describe her as patient, humble, and tireless in mentoring new carers.

Raj says caring isn’t just her job, it’s her joy. The award has inspired her to aim even higher.

Below are several business events in Kent coming in 2026!
You’ll find the full list at
www.KentBusinessEvents.co.uk

Synergy Networking Events
Whitstable Netwalking

Whitstable

When: 6th January 2026 from 9.45am - 11.30am

Location: Whitstable

Details:
This coastal Synergy Netwalking event in Whitstable is hosted by Bethany Nightingale who will meet and introduce all attendees as they arrive and then lead the walk for half an hour along the seafront then return to the Marine Hotel for tea or coffee.

Synergy Netwalking will plan moves for the attendees, ensuring walkers do not get “stuck” with the same person or group of people for the entire walk. The walk will take one hour, and walkers will talk to all of the guests while walking, plus those they meet during the pre-walk open-networking session.

Website: Click here

Understanding and Developing
a Marketing Strategy

Online

When: 6th January 2026 from 10am - 1pm

Location: Online

Details:
Struggling to make your marketing actually work for your business? Many small business owners dive into social media posts, flyers, or ads without a clear plan – and end up frustrated when results don’t follow.

That’s why this workshop focuses on helping you create a marketing strategy that drives results. You’ll learn how to define your audience, sharpen your message, and turn your strengths into a clear, consistent plan you can use every day. By the end, you’ll have the know-how and framework to confidently market your business with purpose and direction.

Website: Click here

Synergy Networking Events
Medway

Avenue Tennis, Gillingham

When: 6th January 2026 from 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Location: Avenue Tennis, Gillingham

Details:
Join us for a fantastic evening of networking being held at and sponsored by Avenue Tennis for a pre-networking tasty buffet! This event is perfect for professionals from all sectors. Connect with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, this is the place to be. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your network and grow your business! This club provides exclusive positions for specific industry sectors. The positions taken are listed below. Please look at our other clubs or one of our open events if you would like to attend one of our events.

Website: Click here

Directors Marketing Strategy Sprint
Developing a Marketing Plan

Online

When: 7th January 2026 from 10.30am - 11am

Location: Online

Details:
Developing a Marketing Plan: Turning Strategy into Action

A strong strategy means nothing without clear execution. This final session in the series will show you how to turn insight into impact by building a practical marketing plan that drives results and wins support across your business.

You’ll learn how to prioritise actions, allocate budgets, and align your team behind shared goals. The session focuses on creating a structured roadmap that keeps your marketing focused, measurable, and adaptable.

Website: Click here

Simply Business Club
Folkestone

The Workshop, Folkestone

When: 8th January 2026 from 7.15am - 9.15am

Location: The Workshop, Folkestone

Details:
Join us for Simply Business Club Folkestone, the home of genuine, conversational business networking. These in-person breakfast meetings bring together entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals from across Kent to share ideas, build relationships, and collaborate in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

Each session starts with a friendly introduction from the organisers, followed by engaging discussions and structured networking designed to help you make meaningful connections. You’ll meet like-minded professionals, exchange insights, and discover opportunities to grow your business through conversation, not pitches.

Website: Click here

FSB
How To Create A Marketing Strategy In 2026

Online

When: 8th January 2026 - 10am - 11am

Location: Online

Details:
Join expert marketer and agency owner Niki Hutchison for an insightful session on zoom that will transform the way you approach marketing. Niki will show you how to create an intentional, integrated, multi-channel strategy that gets your business noticed and converts into sales. Walk away with a clear plan, practical tools, and exclusive templates to make 2026 your most successful year yet!

Website: Click here

Kent Invicta Chamber - Connections
University of Kent

University of Kent

When: 8th January 2026 - 10.30am - 12pm

Location: University of Kent

Details:
Join us for the next Chamber Connections Networking event, hosted by Chamber Patron Members The University of Kent in the Darwin Conference Suite.

You’ll receive a warm welcome from your Chamber representative, who’ll be there to help you meet new members of the local business community. This relaxed and friendly networking event gives you the chance to promote your business, build new relationships, and strengthen existing ones.

Website: Click here

Synergy Networking Events
Kings Hill Corporate Club

The Spitfire, Kings Hill

When: 8th January 2026 - 10.30am - 12pm

Location: The Spitfire, Kings Hill

Details:
Synergy Networking brings together a diverse group of professionals, by marketing and sales throughout Kings Hill and West Malling. We target local businesses including current and future clients, investors, collaborators, and thought leaders. Through these interactions, your business will be able to provide extensive staff development, find inspiring business leaders and local customers.

All sectors are welcome. There are no industry locks.

Website: Click here

Women In Business Network
Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells Hotel

When: 8th January 2026 from 12pm - 2pm

Location: Tunbridge Wells Hotel

Details:
The Women in Business Group in Tunbridge Wells is a vibrant community for women across Tunbridge Wells, West Kent, and nearby Sussex.

Our group comprises senior professionals, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and women from diverse industries. We welcome all businesswomen, whether you’re just starting or well-established, who are looking to grow through genuine connections.

At the heart of our network is a shared commitment to collaboration, mutual respect, and trust. Many of our members stay for years because of the strong relationships they’ve built and the value they receive from being part of such a supportive, inspiring community.

Website: Click here

Kent Business Radio Show

Jules is away for Christmas, so Julie Edinburgh joined Paul on the business bunker this week. Their guest was Janaina Mattos of Grow Your BizHub.

They are more than just a business support space, they are your trusted mentoring hub designed specifically for individuals ready to turn their skills, passion, and experience into a thriving business.

Whether you’re in the early planning stages or already stepping into self-employment, their expert guidance, resources, and supportive community will help you build with confidence and clarity.

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

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