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This week’s Kent Business Newsletter includes stories of local ambition, resilience and growth across the county.

We look at how Embridge Consulting founder Emma O’Brien has earned national recognition as a finalist in the 2026 Enterprise Vision Awards, following a remarkable journey of business growth, innovation and personal resilience.

We also meet Sam Forrest, the experienced communications leader behind GunDog Communications, a new Kent-based consultancy helping growing businesses raise their profile without the cost of a full-time senior hire.

There is more recognition for Maidstone-based Opus Business Advisory Group too, after the firm was named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work for the second year running.

Plus, we highlight more verified local businesses now live on The Kent Business Community, including Team Tactics, Safety First and Return Well.

➡️ 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.

Founder and CEO of Embridge Consulting, Emma O’Brien has been named a finalist in the Business Woman of the Year category at the 2026 Enterprise Vision Awards. The shortlist recognises female leaders across the UK who combine commercial success with resilience, originality and wider impact. For Embridge, the recognition puts a national spotlight on a consultancy that has built its name around making digital change work in practice, not just on paper. Since launch, the business has supported more than 350 public and private sector organisations, using an emotionally intelligent approach designed to help change take hold and grow over time.

Judges highlighted Emma’s focus on innovation and her willingness to challenge standard consulting models with more flexible, human-centred services. That includes Embridge’s Business Transformation as a Service model and LEO, its own integrations management platform. The recognition also comes after a deeply difficult period in Emma’s personal life, following the loss of her son Leo in 2023. She has since founded Leo’s Angels, a charity working to improve access to epilepsy care through technology. Finalist interviews take place in early June, with winners announced on 2 October 2026 in Blackpool. The latest shortlist follows Emma’s 2025 Tide Everywoman Entrepreneur Tech Innovator award and strengthens Embridge’s profile at a time when demand for practical, lasting transformation remains high.

➡️ See why Embridge’s approach caught national judges’ attention.

Kent-based communications veteran Sam Forrest has launched GunDog Communications, a new consultancy aimed at smaller businesses, agencies and in-house teams that need senior PR and communications support without taking on a full-time Communications Director. Working across Kent, London and the South East, the business focuses on B2B communications, mentoring and fractional leadership at a time when many firms are trying to raise their profile with tighter budgets and leaner internal teams. Forrest says many growing organisations have strong ambitions but lack the time, skills or headcount to turn those plans into clear visibility, stronger reputation and lasting influence.

GunDog Communications draws on Forrest’s 30 years in senior roles across gaming, technology and digital entertainment, including work with companies such as Jagex, THQ, KamaGames and TheSoul Publishing. His career has also included campaigns linked to major global brands including Disney/Pixar, Marvel, WWE and DreamWorks. The consultancy offers communications audits, media relations, reputation management, awards strategies, event support, crisis planning and executive profile building. Its model is built around flexible support that can slot into an existing business or team, giving companies access to experienced leadership when they need it. GunDog is now taking enquiries across its service range as Forrest positions the firm for businesses that want sharper communications without the fixed cost of a senior hire.

➡️ See why more firms are renting PR leadership.

Opus Business Advisory Group, which has an office in Maidstone, has been named one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work for the second year running. The firm secured its place on the 2026 list in the Medium-sized Organisation category, based on employee feedback collected with WorkL. The award reflects strong scores for wellbeing, recognition, empowerment, information sharing and pride in the organisation. For Opus, the repeat result matters because it shows its workplace culture is holding firm during a period of steady expansion. As the UK’s largest independently owned national restructuring and advisory firm, it has grown its office network and service offer while trying to keep a close, supportive working environment.

That balance between growth and culture is central to the story. Opus says it has continued to invest in flexible working, wellbeing support, mentoring, qualifications and clear career progression, while also creating a new Executive Committee to help guide the business as it grows. Staff feedback points to trust, flexibility and strong teamwork as real strengths, with employees saying they feel respected and supported. That matters in a demanding advisory sector, where retaining good people can shape performance as much as winning new work.

➡️ See What Is Powering Opus Through Rapid Growth

There’s a great mix of approved businesses on the Kent Business Community including IT, marketing, HR, finance, wellbeing, networking and home services businesses!

To give customers extra peace of mind and confidence, every single business included on the Kent Business Community platform goes through a verification process before being approved, so visitors know they are viewing real, checked local businesses in Kent that they can trust to get the job done.

You can add your local business to the Kent Business Community site, and get £50 off a Premium Membership - use code LAUNCHOFFER today.

Click through to explore the live profiles of some of the latest businesses to join.

Thousands of customers across Whitstable, Tankerton and Ashford were affected by water supply problems during the heatwave. Businesses in affected areas faced disruption and temporary closures as South East Water worked to restore supplies. Read more.

Sugar Sweet, a student dessert business founded by Finance and Investment student Anbakan Varatharasan, has won the University of Kent’s 2026 ASPIRE Business Start-Up Journey Pitching Final. The competition featured ten student entrepreneurs pitching ideas across food, fashion, AI, finance, healthcare and manufacturing. Read more.

Chris Broom, head of business development at Discovery Park in Sandwich, has set out Kent’s strengths in science, innovation, food and drink, agri-tech and investment potential. He said the county has strong assets but still needs to build stronger investor networks and commercial support around its innovation economy. Read more.

Two guests on the show this week with Paul and Jules - James & Ruth Farley.

James runs The Joe Box, a venture that opened for business Summer 2024. The Joe Box is a mobile coffee trailer based at Tunbridge Wells but able to travel as required. The Joe Box is now available to hire for your occasion, whether that be a wedding, a corporate event or just about anything.

Ruth runs Ruth Farley Reflexology. She’s a qualified reflexologist based in Speldhurst. She offers gentle, tailored treatments designed to support relaxation, reduce stress, and promote overall wellbeing - all in the comfort of your own home.

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

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