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Hope you all enjoyed the long weekend break!

This week’s Kent Business Spotlight introduces Emma Youell Design Ltd, one of the founding members of the Kent Business Community platform. Based in Dartford, the creative studio is helping businesses make their ideas clearer, sharper and far more visually engaging.

We also take a look at a Kent PR agency joining the growing B Corp movement, a Sandwich based business turning non-recyclable plastic into sustainable aviation fuel, and Furley Page backing its own people with five senior promotions. There’s also a bold new look for Steer Your Business magazine.

And for any firm that handles tax work for clients, HMRC’s new adviser registration rules could be a serious one to watch, with penalties of up to £10,000 for getting it wrong.

➡️ 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.

Kent-based PR agency Suzanne Howe Communications has become a certified B Corporation, marking a notable step for one of the county’s established business to business firms.

Verified by B Lab, the certification confirms that SHC meets demanding standards on social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability, while committing to goals beyond shareholder returns. The award comes as more businesses face pressure to show how they treat staff, support communities and reduce environmental impact, rather than relying only on financial results.

For Kent’s business community, the news reflects a wider shift in what clients, employees and partners now expect from local firms. B Corp certification reviews governance, workers, community, environment and customer impact across the whole business, and companies must also embed purpose alongside profit in their legal structure. SHC joins more than 10,000 certified B Corps worldwide and over 2,600 in the UK, the movement’s largest and fastest-growing market.

As SHC marks 30 years in business, founder Suzanne Howe said the certification strengthens the company’s long-term commitment to positive impact for people and planet.

➡️ See why B Corp status now carries real business weight.

A Kent company has opened what it describes as the world’s first pilot facility dedicated to turning non-recyclable waste plastic into Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Based at Discovery Park in Sandwich, Clean Planet Technologies says the site will help tackle two pressing problems at once: the UK’s growing volume of hard-to-recycle plastics and aviation’s heavy reliance on fossil fuel. The scale is clear. The UK produces 5 million tonnes of waste plastic each year, with 80% treated as waste, while global airlines burn 7 to 8 million barrels of jet fuel a day and less than 1% comes from sustainable sources.

The pilot centre is designed to prove the process at scale and move the fuel through testing and industry approval. Clean Planet says its system turns plastic into liquid, removes impurities and upgrades it into fuel that meets strict aviation standards, while cutting lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% against conventional jet fuel. For Kent, the project brings advanced clean fuel research to Sandwich and places the county close to an important growth market.

➡️ See What This Kent Facility Could Unlock For Aviation

Furley Page has opened its new financial year with five internal promotions, underlining the Canterbury-headquartered law firm’s focus on developing its people from within.

Lucie Glover, James Jones and Laura Sinclair have all moved from Associate to Senior Associate, while Heather Dunlop and Tom Swann have been promoted to Associate. The appointments recognise strong legal expertise across several teams, including elderly and vulnerable clients, commercial real estate, family law, private client and dispute resolution.

The promotions also highlight a clear career pathway at the South East firm. Heather and Tom both joined as trainees before progressing into more senior roles, reflecting Furley Page’s long-standing investment in mentoring and staff progression. The firm is also an accredited member of the Investors in People programme, which supports high-performance workplace culture and people management.

Managing Partner Jeremy Licence said the promotions reflect hard work, commitment and high-quality client service. For Kent’s business community, the move shows how firms are using internal progression to retain skilled professionals and strengthen service across specialist areas.

➡️ Find out how Furley Page is building talent from within.

Steer Your Business magazine has launched its refreshed May/June 2026 issue, published on 1 May, with a striking new design and a clear focus on helping ambitious business owners grow.

The redesign was created with Sam Hamlyn of Wildsmith Studio and marks a visible shift for the Kent title as it sharpens its identity for a modern business audience. With a readership reach of more than 500,000, the magazine is strengthening its position as a trusted source of insight, profile and practical support for firms looking to raise their presence.

The new issue centres on AI, innovation and future-ready strategy, bringing together expert articles, real business insight and useful guidance for owners facing fast change. Founder and Editor Sally Marshall said the redesign brings fresh energy, while the editorial focus is firmly on helping businesses work smarter, grow in a sustainable way and stand out in crowded markets.

For Kent’s business community, that matters because smaller firms need trusted advice, clear direction and stronger visibility as competition and change continue to build.

➡️ See what’s changed inside this new business-focused issue.

Kent businesses that deal with tax paperwork on behalf of clients are facing a sharp compliance shift from May, with penalties of up to £10,000 for getting it wrong.

HMRC will require anyone classed as a “tax adviser” to register before interacting with the department for clients, and that definition reaches wider than many may expect. It can include conveyancing solicitors handling stamp duty returns and payroll teams chasing PAYE codes, not just accountants. The voluntary system is ending, and local firms now face a tighter, mandatory regime.

Rick Schofield of Azets has warned that many advisers, including well-meaning smaller firms and sole traders in Kent, could be caught out because guidance is still unclear. There is also uncertainty for professional partnerships over whether the firm or individual partners would be liable for breaches.

HMRC says the change is designed to raise standards and stop unsuitable advisers acting for clients, but the risk is that some taxpayers could be left exposed if agents stop filing on their behalf. For Kent firms already under pressure, the lack of detail is adding real concern.

➡️ See which routine client work could now trigger penalties.

Kent Crisps and Shepherd Neame have launched a new Beef Brisket & Stout flavour built around Kent provenance and maritime heritage. The collaboration also involves The Historic Dockyard Chatham, using local identity as part of the product positioning. Read more.

Steeper Group has taken a 14,432 sq ft building in Maidstone town centre following a major NHS contract win. The move gives the prosthetics specialist a Kent and Medway base to serve patients across the region. Read more.

Nature Impact has acquired a 102-acre site in Wrotham, backed by finance from Triodos Bank UK. The project will turn degraded farmland into protected habitats funded through Biodiversity Net Gain and nature credit markets. Read more.

On the show this week Paul and Jules was Andy Parker of Andy Bigfoot Entertainment which is a family‑run entertainment company led by Andy and Karen, bringing over 20 years of professional performance, hosting, and event experience to venues, private clients, and corporate partners across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Essex and beyond.

They specialise in creating events that feel personal, polished, and genuinely memorable. Whether you need a high‑energy DJ, a confident host, a full entertainment package, or technical support behind the scenes, they bring the same level of professionalism, warmth, and reliability to every booking.

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

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