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Welcome to the Thursday edition of the Kent Business Newsletter…

Inside, we cover Select Technology’s new AI Accelerator for South East SMEs, Europa Worldwide Group’s eight-figure HSBC funding boost, and new research from British Assessment Bureau showing why online trust is becoming a serious business issue. We also look ahead to the 2026 Kent County Show, with Azets backing one of the county’s biggest celebrations of farming, food and rural business.

And in this week’s Kent Business Spotlight, we speak to Tina Benson, founder of Team Tactics in Faversham. Tina shares how she built a B Corp Certified events business from early phone calls and bold ideas, how the company survived Covid, and why team building has moved far beyond awkward forced fun.

➡️ Got a business launch, win or story to share? Send it to [email protected] and we’ll help spread the word - for free!

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Select Technology has launched The AI Accelerator, a new support programme aimed at helping small and medium sized businesses across the South East adopt AI and automation with more confidence. The Kent-based managed IT provider, which is an official Microsoft Partner, says the offer is designed for firms that can see the promise of new technology but are still unsure where to begin or how to use it safely. The timing is notable. Research from the British Chambers of Commerce last autumn found that 35% of SMEs are now actively using AI, up from 25% in 2024, showing demand is moving quickly and more firms are looking for practical ways to keep pace.

Managing Director Nick Potter said too many businesses still lack the confidence to take a first step or struggle to turn interest in AI into real productivity gains. Select says its programme will give SMEs a three-year AI roadmap linked to business goals, a workflow improvement plan ranked by impact, a clear operating model for daily use, and a measurement report to track results, with staff input built into the process. The launch also lines up with the Kent AI Conference on 24 June at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel, where Select Technology is the headline sponsor alongside Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

➡️ Explore the plan behind Kent’s latest AI push.

Kent-based Europa Worldwide Group is preparing for its next phase of growth after securing an eight-figure funding package from HSBC UK. The independent logistics and warehousing business plans to use the money to expand across its four main divisions: Europa Road, Europa Air and Sea, Europa Warehouse and Frictionless Trade Services. That includes building out its European road network, growing international freight services, improving customs support and continuing investment in UK warehousing, technology and staff. With supply chains still under pressure and trading conditions shifting fast, the deal gives one of Kent’s biggest logistics operators more capacity to respond as importers and exporters look for dependable partners.

HSBC UK will also support the business through its international banking network, helping improve operational efficiency across Europa’s wider footprint in Belgium, the Netherlands, China, Hong Kong, India and the UAE. The company expects the funding to help lift turnover by 10 per cent within two years. Founded in 1966, Europa has grown into one of the UK’s largest independent logistics groups, with turnover of about £300 million and more than 450,000 shipments handled each year across 160 countries. The funding follows its recent Diamond anniversary and rebrand, giving fresh momentum to a Kent-headquartered business with a growing international reach.

➡️ Discover what could drive Europa’s next 10 per cent rise.

A new study from Kent based British Assessment Bureau, part of Amtivo Group, found that 39.7 million UK adults have never checked whether an online trust mark, badge or certification was genuine, or would not know how to do it. The research, billed as the first UK consumer study to test fake trust badges alongside real ones, found that 31.9% of adults wrongly recognised at least one invented trust mark. That confusion is carrying a heavy cost. UK adults say they spent around £5 billion in the past year on products and services that turned out worse than their reviews suggested. Nearly three quarters had at least one such bad experience, yet only 36% recovered their money in full.

The findings point to a wider problem as online trust grows more fragile. Two thirds of UK adults say it is becoming nearly impossible to know what is genuine online, with almost half blaming AI-generated and automated content for the rise in misleading information. Around half have used AI to research a purchase, but very few see it as their most trusted source. The study also found that the people most confident in spotting fake trust marks were the most likely to be fooled. For firms across Kent selling online, managing reviews, proof points and credibility is becoming a sharper commercial test.

➡️ See why fake trust marks are costing Britain billions.

Azets will sponsor the 2026 Kent County Show, giving fresh backing to one of the county’s biggest annual events. The three-day show will take place at Detling Showground on 3, 4 and 5 July 2026 and will again bring together farming, food production and a wide spread of rural businesses. Hayley Kingsnorth, Partner at Azets in Ashford, said the firm is proud to support an event that reflects Kent’s economy, heritage and future. Her comments place farming and production firmly at the centre of the story, while also underlining the show’s role in presenting the county at its best.

Organised by the Kent County Agricultural Society, the show promotes rural communities and features livestock, horses, vintage vehicles and produce from local firms. It also gives families and visitors a closer look at food, farming and the environment, alongside equestrian competitions and horticultural displays from schools, community gardens and individuals. This year’s event includes a retail section for county businesses and a new Festival of Food highlighting artisan products from Kent and beyond. KCAS chairman Matthew Cullen said sponsor support is vital to making the charity’s annual celebration possible.

➡️ Read the story behind a major boost for Kent County Show.

The University of Kent-linked Elemental Engineering Biology Mission Hub has opened a new round of Business Interaction Voucher funding worth up to £50,000 per project. The scheme supports business and academic partnerships in areas including metal recovery, contaminated land remediation, industrial biotechnology and circular economy projects. Read more.

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has completed the first phase of a solar panel installation across several sites, with expected annual savings of around £74,000. The project is part of a wider NHS solar programme and will generate more than 367,000 kWh of electricity a year. Read more.

English winemaker The Uncommon has launched its first bottled still wines for bars and restaurants, using grapes grown on the North Kent Downs. The new range will be distributed through Enotria and is aimed at expanding English wine’s presence in the UK on-trade. Read more.

On the show this week Paul and Jules was Darren Weale of Intune PR.

In Tune PR prides itself on its work, and in working with fellow professionals who can help their clients get exactly the help they need and the best results possible.

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

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