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Welcome to the Monday edition of the Kent Business Newsletter.

This issue brings together five stories from businesses with Kent connections: Azets on confidence and tax reform, Chartway Janitorial’s family-business award, Simply Ice Cream’s national recognition, and MHA’s first full-year results as a quoted company. Together they offer a snapshot of the pressures, achievements and investment shaping firms across Kent.

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Kent businesses are bracing for a difficult year, according to Azets’ Q2 Barometer. In its survey of 442 senior decision-makers, 69% named economic uncertainty as their main concern, while 45% said they were pessimistic about the UK outlook. Higher labour costs, squeezed margins and cashflow pressure featured prominently.

The research also points to potential knock-on effects over the coming year: 70% of respondents expect to freeze or reduce headcount, and 82% expect to continue or increase borrowing. Azets’ UK chief executive Peter Gallanagh says firms need conditions that allow them to invest and grow, while the findings underline the resilience businesses are relying on in an uncertain market.

➡ Seventy percent of UK businesses fear economic uncertainty most as climate hits profits, hiring and costs

Kent entrepreneurs are being held back by a tax system that offers too little incentive to start, grow and sell a business, according to Azets’ UK Head of Tax Praveen Gupta. The adviser says the position risks discouraging the next generation of founders, with implications for jobs, investment and economic growth.

Azets is calling for a higher Employment Allowance, a 10% Capital Gains Tax rate on business sales, a restored £5m Business Asset Disposal Relief limit and a two-year Employment Tax Roadmap. Gupta says clearer, more stable rules would help firms plan, recruit and reinvest with confidence.

➡ Hostile UK tax system is crushing entrepreneurship

Headcorn-based Chartway Janitorial has marked 25 years in business by winning the People’s Choice Award for London and the South East at the National Family Business of the Year Awards 2026. The public-voted honour follows the cleaning and hygiene supplier’s national runner-up recognition in the same awards programme last year.

Founded by Mick and Anne Elms and now led by Hannah Tilley and Jon Elms, the seven-employee company supplies professional cleaning products across healthcare, catering, leisure, education and industry. Hannah Tilley says personal customer relationships, product expertise and quality service remain central to the family firm’s approach.

➡ Chartway Janitorial marks 25th anniversary by winning major family business award

Kent artisan producer Simply Ice Cream has received a Highly Commended award in the Best Frozen Product category at the Food Management Today Industry Awards 2026. Its Heavenly Honeycomb flavour was recognised alongside finalists including Aldi, Iceland and Lidl, marking a notable national achievement for the independent Ashford-based business.

Founded by Sally Newall more than 20 years ago, Simply Ice Cream still hand-whisks each batch using fresh cream, milk and natural ingredients. Heavenly Honeycomb combines creamy ice cream with handmade crunchy honeycomb and is now one of the company’s signature flavours, stocked through outlets across London and the South East.

➡ Simply Ice Cream's Heavenly Honeycomb Receives Highly Commended Recognition

Professional services firm MHA has reported revenue growth of 12% to £251.3m in the year to 31 March 2026, its first full year as a quoted company. The results combined 6.4% organic growth with 5.8% acquisitive growth, while adjusted EBITDA rose 13% to £46.5m.

MHA says its South East offices were among the fastest-growing in England, as its audit, tax, advisory and wealth service lines all expanded. Chief executive Rakesh Shaunak says the firm will continue investing in technology, AI and talent, with at least 170 graduates and apprentices expected to join in FY27.

➡ MHA reports revenues up 12% to £251m in first full year as a quoted company

A developer has secured £18.2 million in funding for a new 70-bedroom care home in Kent, moving another sizeable development project towards construction. Read more.

Maidstone town-centre businesses can currently apply for the Shop Front Improvement Grant, which can cover up to 80% of eligible costs, to a maximum of £10,000. Funding can cover signage, lighting, external improvements, repairs and some planning-related costs. The deadline is today 17 August 2026. Read more.

A new Kent County Council procurement policy came into effect on 11 August. The council says social-value requirements attached to contracts will now be scaled according to the size, value, risk and complexity of each contract, specifically to avoid creating unnecessary barriers for SMEs. KCC spends around £1.47 billion a year through third-party contracts and says the policy will also place greater emphasis on Kent businesses, local employment and supply chains. Read more.

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