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Welcome to the Monday edition of the Kent Business Newsletter.

In Gillingham, Ream Kitchens has been saved through a deal that protects jobs and gives the long-standing firm a fresh route to grow. In Faversham, Tassells Solicitors is proving that a specialist Kent firm can compete with the biggest names in the country, after another major win at the Probate Industry Awards.

We also look at why Azets is warning Kent investors not to rely on AI for financial advice, and how Big Motoring World’s new RAC Approved Dealer status is designed to give used car buyers more confidence at a time when trust really matters.

➡️ 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.

A respected kitchen and bathroom business in Gillingham has been sold in a deal that keeps every job in place and gives the company a clear route to grow. Ream Kitchens Limited, known locally for its showroom and for supplying and fitting high-quality kitchens and bathrooms, had come under pressure after health problems and personal bereavements affected its leadership team. Even so, the business itself remained sound, with an established customer base and a strong reputation. After an earlier effort to sell the company failed, the directors turned to Opus Restructuring and Insolvency and considered administration as one possible next step.

Instead of moving straight into a formal insolvency process, Opus reviewed the position in detail and reopened talks with a wider range of buyers. That approach led to a successful share sale on 17 April 2026. Ben Stanyon, Partner at Opus, said the business had strong fundamentals, a capable team and real future potential, making a sale the better outcome for all involved. New owner Warren Wright now plans to build on those foundations and look at further growth, including opportunities in the trade kitchen market.

For Kent’s business community, the deal is a strong example of how practical advice and a wider search for buyers can save jobs, preserve local firms and create fresh momentum after a difficult period.

➡️ Read why this sale protected jobs and opened new markets.

Tassells LLP, a once‑quiet Faversham practice, has rapidly become one of the most decorated boutique firms in the UK probate and estate planning sector. In just a few years, the firm has shifted from local obscurity to national prominence - a transformation underscored by its performance at the 2026 Probate Industry Awards and its growing presence on the regional awards circuit.

At this year’s national ceremony held on 23 April on London, Tassells LLP secured four shortlistings and claimed Probate Law Firm of the Year (Boutique) for the second consecutive year, an outstanding accomplishment that underscores the firm’s excellence. The firm also saw two team members recognised (CEO Marc Goddard and Jo Masson)  and rather impressively was shortlisted for Estate Planning Team of the Year, a category dominated by major national firms.

This momentum is mirrored regionally. Tassells LLP has earned 3 nominations at the Kent Law Society Awards with two shortlistings for Harvey Barrett and CEO Marc Goddard, signalling strong peer recognition and reinforcing its position as one of the county’s most dynamic legal teams.

The firm attributes its rise to a combination of specialist expertise, a collaborative internal culture, and a commitment to high‑quality client service. Strategic investment in people and processes has allowed the boutique practice to compete - and succeed - at a level typically associated with far larger firms.

For a practice that many outside Kent had never heard of just a few years ago, Tassells LLP’s trajectory offers a compelling case study in modern professional‑services growth. Its message to the industry is clear: boutique firms can lead, innovate, and win on the national stage. In the past two years alone, seven Tassells team members have been acknowledged across the country, including two who won national awards and two who were awarded Highly Commended.

Investors in Kent are being warned not to rely on AI platforms alone for financial advice, as experts say the risks could be costly. Azets, the accountancy and advisory firm with offices in Maidstone, Ashford, Canterbury, Sandwich and Sidcup, says more people are turning to AI as they look for smarter ways to manage money in a period of higher taxes and weak economic growth. The firm accepts that AI can help people gather and summarise information quickly, but says that is where its role should stop. Used without proper checks, it can give answers that are incomplete, outdated or simply wrong.

Azets Wealth Management director Alex Bolton said AI may not fully reflect recent UK tax changes and can mix up different accounting standards, while the quality of its answers often depends on how clearly questions are asked. He also warned that bias can shape how investment ideas are presented, and that social media can make AI-generated guidance look more reliable than it is. Partner Lewis Aldridge said the same concerns apply across the firm’s wider services, comparing AI-led advice to searching online for health symptoms instead of seeing a doctor.

For Kent businesses and investors, the message is clear: AI may be useful, but serious financial decisions still need qualified human advice.

➡️ See why AI shortcuts could backfire on investors.

Big Motoring World has joined the RAC Approved Dealer programme, adding independent oversight to the way it prepares and sells used cars. From 27 April 2026, every vehicle it sells comes with a three-month Big Care Inspect & Repair Warranty, including RAC Breakdown Cover, no customer contribution and immediate wear and tear cover. A key point is the level of protection: customers are covered up to the full price paid for the vehicle, rather than the lower market-value limits often seen elsewhere. Each car will also go through a 200-point inspection covering mechanical, electrical and safety checks, with RAC audits taking place at least six times a year.

For Kent’s business community, the move matters because it speaks directly to trust, cost pressure and confidence in major household spending. Used car buyers are still cautious, especially when unexpected repair bills can quickly become unaffordable. Big Motoring World is clearly trying to remove some of that risk, while also strengthening its position in a competitive market. The offer extends to electric vehicles too, with optional RAC-backed cover for 12, 24 or 36 months and battery failure protection up to the vehicle purchase price, excluding degradation. With stricter standards, external validation and broader aftercare, the company is making a clear play for credibility as consumer expectations rise.

➡️ Read what RAC approval changes for Big Motoring World customers.

The University of Kent has been shortlisted in the Best University for Apprenticeships category at The Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2026. The recognition reflects its work with employers and apprentices across a range of business sectors. Read more.

Kent wine producer Balfour Winery says visitor growth is running at roughly 30% year on year as it expands its tourism operations. The business is investing further in hospitality, events and destination-led experiences at its estate. Read more.

Dartford-based Kentec Electronics has received a King’s Award for Enterprise for international trade performance. Overseas sales at the life safety systems manufacturer have increased by 69% over the past three years. Read more.

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