Engagement is easy to mistake for pipeline. On Sep 30, watch how a founder turns LinkedIn content into real outreach. Live. You'll walk away with a repeatable system: what to post, who to reach out to, and how to sequence it. 

Eligible startups also get the LinkedIn-to-Leads Toolkit: ad credits, Apollo, Captions, and HubSpot's Prospecting Agent.

Claim my spot

Hi {{first_name | there,}}

Welcome to the Thursday edition of the Kent Business Newsletter…

A Kent school leaver who started work at 18 has gone on to global recognition. A Chatham founder has opened her own clinic. And a Dartford logistics partnership is helping a major skincare business keep growing. We also look at the holiday-pay issue that employers need to have on their radar.

➡️ 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.

Emma White, Co-Managing Partner at Wrotham Heath firm A4G, has been named among the Top 50 Women in Accounting 2026. Her route began when she joined the business as an 18-year-old school leaver in 1999, before qualifying, becoming a partner and taking up her current leadership role last year. The global recognition followed nominations from six countries.

The award recognises Emma’s work with owner-managed businesses and A4G’s investment in new talent. With more than 80 people across the firm and five new trainees joining in 2026, its own story shows how a Kent employer can build careers and leadership over time, starting with a first opportunity for local people.

➡ Kent school leaver who rose to lead accountancy firm named among global Top 50

Azets says Kent employers are facing complex new holiday-pay recordkeeping requirements after the Fair Work Agency and related rules took effect in April. The firm warns that fixed-hours workers with variable pay can make the so-called calendar method particularly difficult, especially where overtime, allowances or commission are involved. Each decision needs an auditable calculation.

H-J Dobbie, Azets’ Head of HR Consultancy, says payroll and HR teams need to work more closely to hold clear records for six years. The warning matters for smaller firms because errors can expose employers to tribunal claims, underpayments and enforcement action, creating a significant compliance burden at a time of broader operational change for many businesses.

➡ ‘Calendar method’ calculations for thousands of baffled businesses don’t add up following complicated government compliance

ET Browne UK, the business behind Palmer’s skincare, says nearly two decades working with Europa Warehouse in Dartford has helped it scale a £35m-plus operation with a team of 18. Its products now reach major UK retailers and European markets through a logistics operation designed to respond to changing demand and provide dependable national coverage.

The partnership has supported the business through rising volumes, shifting import schedules and Brexit, while providing additional capacity as sales doubled over 15 years. Palmer’s next stage is focused on expanding its product range and growing across established and emerging markets, with the Dartford relationship still central to its plans for the business.

➡ £35m+ Palmer’s Business Scales UK and European Growth Through Long-Term 3PL Partnership

Riviera Skin Clinic has opened at Chatham Dockside Outlet after founder Emma Graham received business support through The Kent Foundation’s Launchpad programme. Designed for people in the Armed Forces community, it combines one-to-one advice, coaching and volunteer mentor matching to help early-stage founders turn plans into operating businesses and manage the first stages of trading.

Emma worked with an adviser and mentor while preparing to open the clinic, which offers professional beauty and skincare treatments. Launchpad is a Kent Foundation pilot funded through Kent County Council with support from Southeastern Railway, providing tailored guidance at no cost to participants and helping founders take a practical next step towards sustainability and growth in Kent.

➡ New Chatham Beauty Business Opens Following Support from Kent Foundation Launchpad Programme

Home Grown Hotels, operator of THE PIG boutique hotel group, has acquired the 20-bedroom Tunbridge Wells Hotel on The Pantiles. The Grade II-listed property had been marketed at a guide price of £2.695 million and includes a restaurant, bar, function space and outdoor dining. The existing hotel has closed while THE PIG prepares a substantial refurbishment, with the group saying it intends to work with local growers, farmers, fishermen and other Kent suppliers when the new venue opens. Read more.

Kent County Council has begun procurement for its new Kent Integrated Family Domestic Abuse Service, with an estimated contract value of £38.66 million excluding VAT. The programme is divided into five lots covering training and awareness, safe accommodation and community support across East, North, Mid and West Kent. The opportunity is aimed at existing and prospective service providers, voluntary and community organisations, housing providers and organisations interested in subcontracting or partnership opportunities. Read more.

Full planning permission has now been granted for the £8 million redevelopment of Margate Winter Gardens, a material step forward from the listed-building consent reported in August. Westwood One Theatre’s plans include reopening the theatre alongside a drama school, nursery, restaurant, bar, café, offices and rooftop restaurant. The project is backed by £4 million of government regeneration funding alongside match funding, clearing one of the main remaining hurdles to bringing the venue back into commercial use. Read more.

On the show this week Paul and Jules was Daniel Rubin, Founder and Non-Executive Chairman of Dune.

Daniel founded the fashion footwear and accessory brand Dune London in 1992.

With over three decades of experience in footwear; from shoe manufacturer to wholesaler and then retailer, he is a notable figurehead of the retail industry.

Daniel won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 Drapers Footwear and Accessories Awards.

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

{{first_name | Hey}}, before you go…

➡️ Have you added your business to the Kent Business Directory yet? - https://kentbusinessdirectory.co.uk
➡️ Don’t miss the latest networking events near you - https://www.kentbusinessevents.co.uk
➡️ Do you have news or announcements you’d like to share about your business?

Contact us today - [email protected]

If you enjoyed this local business article, please pass it on to another Kent business owner who might also like it! Thanks.