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Welcome to Monday’s edition of the Kent Business Newsletter.

This week - A Kent commercial property lawyer has been recognised nationally after being named one of the UK’s Stand-Out Lawyers for 2026, based entirely on nominations from senior clients. We also look at how a communications firm is marking 30 years in business by bringing together leaders from across the cleaning sector to discuss the industry’s future.

Elsewhere, Tunbridge Wells is preparing for a new food and music festival this summer, while a new study is examining the overuse of asthma inhalers in children and how better monitoring could improve care. There is also a warning that inheritance tax changes could place growing pressure on farming families across Kent.

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Bill Butler, a partner in the Commercial Property team at Brachers, has been recognised in the 2026 Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyers list. The list is based entirely on Thomson Reuters’ Sharplegal survey, which gathers views from more than 2,000 senior legal buyers. Each is asked to name the three most outstanding lawyers they have worked with over the past three years. All nominations come directly from clients, with no involvement from law firms.

The recognition highlights client satisfaction and reflects Bill’s quality of work, commercial awareness, and practical legal advice. Clients also point to his responsiveness, reliability, and understanding of their businesses. With more than 25 years’ experience in commercial property law, he is known for combining legal expertise with clear industry insight, strengthening Brachers’ position in a competitive market.

➡️ Discover why Bill's clients rate him so highly.

Suzanne Howe Communications began its 30th anniversary celebrations with a stakeholder lunch for the cleaning sector at a London restaurant. Founded in 1996, SHC brought together leaders from across the industry, including representatives from BICSc, Kimberly-Clark Professional, Cleanology and the European Cleaning Journal. The discussion focused on key trends, shared challenges and the future direction of the sector. As SHC works towards B-Corp certification, the conversation also explored how social impact and responsible business values are shaping cleaning and facilities management.

A central theme was the status and wellbeing of cleaning operatives. While pay and recognition remain pressing issues, lasting progress depends on stronger collaboration between employers, clients and property owners. Delegates agreed that better data, clearer career pathways and wider industry recognition could help raise standards and satisfaction.

➡️ Discover what must change for cleaning operatives.

Sound Bites will arrive at Dunorlan Park from 12 to 14 June 2026, bringing a new food and music festival to Tunbridge Wells. Created by the team behind some of the UK’s largest food events, it blends live bands, DJs and emerging artists with chef-led dining experiences. Highlights include BrewDog pairing its beers with Ginger Wings by Jack Blumenthal, and The Classics Feasts, where chefs such as Atul Kochhar serve British and Indian favourites alongside tribute acts and party bands.

The Firepit Stage will focus on flame-cooked dishes, while a hidden Speakeasy with BBC Introducing in Kent offers intimate sets from rising artists. Acts include Leigh Francis’s Record Club and Rick Parfitt Jnr Band, plus themed DJ battles. Pimentae and Papi Chulo will host a margarita and taco takeover, with more traders and performers still to be announced across four timed sessions.

➡️ See what this new festival means locally.

A new study at University Hospital Southampton is testing whether stronger asthma check-ups can cut the overuse of blue reliever inhalers in children. Research shows that children prescribed six or more reliever inhalers a year are three to five times more likely to suffer an asthma attack. These inhalers ease symptoms but do not treat the underlying airway inflammation, which can leave asthma poorly controlled and raise the risk of serious flare-ups.

The study plans to introduce an alert system that tells GPs when a child has been prescribed too many inhalers, triggering a review. Bedfont Scientific says wider access to its NObreath FeNO device could support this shift, as it measures airway inflammation through a simple breath test. Although recommended in UK guidelines, FeNO testing is still not widely available in primary care.

➡️ Read what this means for asthma safety.

Kent farmers face a growing inheritance tax problem as new rules under the Finance Act 2026 will limit Agricultural and Business Property Relief from 6 April 2026. Full 100 per cent relief will apply only to £2.5m of qualifying assets per person, with 50 per cent relief on the rest. The changes were first announced in the 2024 Budget without detail, leaving advisers and families uncertain until draft legislation appeared in July 2025. Gifts made after Budget day are already affected if death occurs after April 2026 within seven years.

Azets partner Hayley Kingsnorth says many viable farms exceed £2.5m in value and could face heavy tax bills. Some families may need to sell land held for generations. While later Budget changes allowed unused allowances to pass between spouses and raised the cap from £1m, concern remains high. Total farming income in the South East reached £605m in 2024, underlining the scale of the sector at risk.

➡️ Act before April 2026 reshapes rural estates.

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