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

Kent is seeing some serious business movement. ChemPartner’s decision to open its first European science base in Sandwich is a big win for Discovery Park and a sign that global firms still see real value here. Zelir’s new Dublin office points the same way, with a young Kent company expanding fast while tightening its grip on UK-Ireland trade.

Elsewhere, the pressure points are clear. Carbon3 is trying to cut through the noise around net zero with practical advice businesses can actually use, while Azets is growing its debt team as more firms look for funding support. Add DJH’s latest acquisition, and this week’s stories show a county pushing on while demand stays high.

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ChemPartner has opened its first European scientific hub at Discovery Park in Sandwich, marking a notable move for Kent’s life sciences sector. The Shanghai-founded contract research organisation supports biopharmaceutical companies in bringing new drugs to market and employs more than 2,000 people worldwide. Its new base will focus on preclinical and translational research, including early-stage in vitro screening, helping clients move faster through the drug discovery process. ChemPartner currently has seven UK employees and is recruiting a Senior Scientist for the Sandwich site.

The launch is more than a new lab opening. It is the first step in ChemPartner’s wider UK and EU expansion and places Discovery Park at the centre of that plan. The facility has been developed with Canterbury Christ Church University, giving ChemPartner access to advanced lab equipment onsite and strengthening links between business and higher education in Kent. For the local economy, the move brings skilled jobs, international visibility and fresh confidence in Sandwich as a serious base for global science businesses.

➡️ See why ChemPartner picked Kent for European growth.

Kent businesses are under growing pressure to cut emissions, control energy costs and prepare for tighter rules, including the requirement for commercial buildings to reach EPC C by 2030. Carbon3’s new Energy Academy in Mereworth aims to help them do that with practical training rather than broad sustainability talk. The Kent-based centre will offer workshops, open days and training sessions focused on real building-level decisions, including compliance planning, renewable maintenance and routes to lower energy spend without unnecessary risk or upfront capital strain.

What makes the Academy stand out is its non-sales approach and focus on real systems, live data and lessons from years of installation and maintenance work. Carbon3 says many firms want to act but are held back by confusing advice and poor past experiences. Early attendees have praised the hands-on format and clarity. For Kent’s business community, this matters because better decisions now could reduce future costs, avoid rushed compliance spending and build stronger resilience against volatile energy prices across the county.

➡️ See what bad energy choices could cost Kent firms.

DJH has stepped up its South East growth with the acquisition of Kent-based Loucas, its second deal in the region in 2025. Backed by Tenzing, the accountancy and professional services group said the move strengthens its reach across Kent, Brighton and London-facing clients, building on its earlier purchase of McBrides. Founded in 1974, Loucas has grown from a single-desk practice into a multi-location firm with strong ties to owner-managed businesses and a referral-led client base built over more than 50 years.

The deal keeps Loucas’ local leadership in place, with Athos Louca staying on as managing director alongside the senior team. Clients are set to gain access to a wider range of specialist services, from estate planning and corporate finance to HR consultancy and technology support. For Kent’s business community, the move shows how competition for trusted advisory firms is rising as larger groups target strong local relationships, deeper regional coverage and growing demand for business advice across the South East.

➡️ See why Kent has become a target for acquisitive firms.

Kent freight and customs specialist Zelir Logistics has opened a new office in Dublin, giving the Ashford business direct control over both import and export declarations for goods moving between the UK and Ireland. By bringing this work in-house, Zelir says customers will get a more consistent service, faster turnaround and clearer communication, as firms deal with changing cross-border rules and rising pressure to stay compliant. Director Joe Jeffery said the move helps Zelir protect the speed and responsiveness that has shaped its reputation.

The launch is also a wider signal of intent. Founded in 2023, Zelir has expanded quickly through repeat business and referrals, while growing its team, moving into larger premises and investing in technology. Work is also continuing on Z Clear, a platform that will let customers submit some customs documents online while still getting expert support. For Kent businesses trading across borders, Zelir’s Dublin move shows how local firms are building stronger European links while trying to keep service personal, practical and reliable in a market that keeps shifting.

➡️ Read what this move means for UK-Ireland trade support.

Azets has strengthened its UK debt advisory team with two senior hires as demand rises from businesses seeking funding in a difficult trading climate. Lyle Ammon has joined as director for the South, based in London and Maidstone, while Matt Garside becomes director for Scotland from the Edinburgh office. The appointments lift Azets’ debt advisory headcount from seven to 10 in the first quarter, following recent hires in Cardiff and Stockport as the firm builds wider national coverage.

The expansion comes as more firms look for outside finance to manage growth, cashflow strain, restructuring and cheaper borrowing. Industry data puts UK SME borrowing at about £62 billion, with around two in five smaller firms needing external funding. Government figures also show challenger and specialist banks provided 60% of annual gross SME lending in 2024. For Kent businesses, Ammon’s Maidstone base matters. It gives local firms closer access to advice on invoice finance, asset-based lending and broader funding options at a time when margins remain under pressure.

➡️ See why finance choices are getting harder for local firms.

Lovett Care has made two senior appointments in Kent as it prepares to open its first South East home and expand further across the region. Anna Ramos joins as Regional Manager, with responsibility for building strong teams, supporting care home leaders and maintaining high standards across the South. Her brief covers care quality, occupancy, compliance and local community links, all areas that will shape how quickly Lovett Care can build its name in a new market. The move shows clear intent as the operator pushes ahead with growth beyond its existing heartlands.

Claire Skinner, from Herne Bay, has been named Registered Home Manager for the new 78-bed Kings Hill Care Home, due to open this summer. She brings more than 20 years of care home management experience and is focused on creating a warm setting where residents, staff and families feel valued from day one. For Kent, this is more than a staffing update. It signals fresh investment, new care capacity and a serious attempt to build a strong local presence in a competitive sector.

➡️ See why these hires matter before Kings Hill opens.

Small and medium-sized businesses in Kent can now access fully funded apprenticeship training through a new levy transfer arrangement. For smaller employers who couldn't previously afford it, this is a real chance to bring in new skills without the usual cost barrier. Read more.

Square One Padel and Social Club has opened its new Sittingbourne venue on Friday 24th April, having invested more than £1 million into a formerly empty building at Dolphin Park. The site will house seven padel courts, a gym, restaurant, recovery and therapy spaces, and a Pilates studio, supporting around 50 jobs. Read more.

Costco is consulting on plans for Kent's first ever warehouse club, a 13,000 sqm store with a petrol station off the M20 at Aylesford near Maidstone, which would create at least 250 jobs if approved. A public exhibition takes place on 28 April, with an online consultation open until 31 May. Read more.

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