Kent Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 – Is this you?

Enter the Kent Excellence in Business Awards to apply to see if you are the next Kent Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Kent Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 Kent Excellence in Business AwardsKent Young Entrepreneur of the Year criteria:

This Kent Excellence in Business award category is open to any individual aged 30 or under that has been instrumental in the success of one or more businesses/organisations, irrespective of size or sector. This individual must demonstrate they have achieved commercial success, have clear plans and strategies for the growth of their business and a strong track record of innovation. Judges will be looking for evidence of how this individual stands out from the crowd through their unique and entrepreneurial approach to business. Entrants must have been trading in one or more businesses for more than one year as of March 31, 2016.

Why apply?

This is a great opportunity to demonstrate how your company has successfully overcome the challenges of the last 12 months. Awards are one of the most powerful and cost-effective marketing tools. Winning a prestigious KEiBA award will help your organisation to stand out from the crowd, send a positive message to your existing customers, attract new business and boost staff morale. A chance to recognise your business success!

Click below to find out more and enter…

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Kent Excellence in Business Awards

 

The Kent Foundation appoints New Chairman

New Chairman for Kent’s Leading Business Charity

The Kent Foundation, a Kent business support charity that helps young people starting out in business has a new Chairman. Elected at the Kent Foundation Board Meeting in January 2016, Julian Kirkness from Canterbury was delighted with his new role:

“Since discovering the Foundation in 2013 I have been keen to help drive it forwards in any way I can. I am honoured to become Chairman! AlthoughKent Business Support Charity Appoints Julian Kirkness as New Chairman Allan’s Chairmanship will be a very tough act to follow, I am confident that together with the team we have in place – both Trustees and Full Time Staff – we are in great shape to improve our service and continue to support and encourage young Kentish entrepreneurs. ”

Julian Kirkness is a successful businessman in the Digital Sector, specialising in software development. He has been a supporter of the Foundation since 2013 when he voluntarily attended an induction course to become a volunteer business mentor, he became Vice Chairman in 2015 and now actively mentors two Kent businesses.

The Kent Foundation recently celebrated 30 years of success in supporting young business people. With a flag-ship service that includes over 100 trained Volunteer Business Mentors it’s clear that the Foundation is an established and essential component for Kent’s Businesses. Equally, it is always looking to be relevant and contemporary, recently launching its own Kent Foundation Business Award as an accolade to successful young entrepreneurs of the County.

Retiring Chairman of 20 years, Allan Mowatt has left the Charity in good hand, in his final remarks Allan stated:
“I am convinced that we have a Board of all the necessary background and talents to carry on and develop further our work. I am also convinced that we have a Chairman in Julian who can lead that work forward.”

Free Business advice and support for Kent's young people

Talent Match South East – Promoting self employment to unemployed young people in Kent

Talent Match South East – Medway, Swale, Thanet and DoverTalent Match South East - Self Employment in Kent

Talent Match South East is targeting young people who are furthest from the jobs market, including those who are completely outside of the benefits, work and training system. Some may face severe barriers to gaining the skills they need to get into work.

Kent Foundation will be working with young people aged 18 to 24, who are in the target group, and considering becoming self-employed in Kent. The Foundation will deliver a campaign in each of the targeted areas to raise awareness of self-employment using social media and roadshows to meet and engage with young people. This will be followed by exploratory business start-up workshops designed to enhance young people’s skills, knowledge, confidence and self-esteem in order to start their own business.

Ongoing 1-2-1 business support is available through trained Kent Foundation Business Mentors who will listen, engage and respond in order to guide business decision making.

If you are a young person interested in receiving support offered by this project call us for a chat on 03000 421163 or email us 🙂

Woodfall Wealth Consultancy donates to support Kent’s young startups

Woodfall Wealth ConsultancyJames Woodfall, the owner of Woodfall Wealth Consultancy which is a Partner Practice of St James’s Place, has donated £1000 through the St James’s Place Foundation to Kent based charity The Kent Foundation.

St James's Place Wealth ManagementOn the 16th July James presented the cheque to Paul Barron and Liam Behn from The Kent Foundation, which provides free business support to Kent’s young people looking to start or grow their business.

James first found out about the charitable work of The Kent Foundation at an Institute of Directors event back in September 2014. Since then he has been a proactive supporter of the Foundation, including sponsoring a Golf Day in June 2015. He is also a sponsor for the upcoming Kent Foundation 30th Celebration in October and shares his business contacts to improve the charity’s profile.

Kent Foundation with Woodfall Wealth ConsultancyIn response to his donation, James owner of Woodfall Wealth Consultancy states:

‘Being a business owner myself, I recognise the importance of advice and mentoring in situations of troubles and isolation.  The Kent Foundation provides an invaluable support network to young people who are starting their own business.’

Paul Barron, Director of Kent Foundation shared his gratitude for the donation:Woodfall Wealth Consultancy with Kent Foundation

‘With such a generous donation from James we can continue to provide innovative Mentoring to the young entrepreneurs of Kent. The money will be used to train Volunteer Business Mentors who will offer 1-2-1 advice and guidance. Thanks to James our next induction training is scheduled for Autumn 2015.’

KEiBA 2015 – Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Kent Excellence in Business Awards

Click to see the 2015 winners!

 

 

The evening of the Kent Excellence in Business Awards is a date that has concreted itself in to the calendars of many Kent businesses – and who can blame them. It’s an occasion solely dedicated to them and celebrating their success in business.

We would like to congratulate all the businesses that received recognition through the awards this year both as Winners and Finalists.

KEiBA:Young Entrepreneur of the Year

WINNER:

Becky Campbell – Reflect Digital

Reflect Digital was established and setup to offer high-quality digital web solutions to companies across the UK. On offer is a complete mix of digital marketing services including SEO, PPC, Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing and print. They spread their passion for the power of the internet by speaking at relevant events to educate other businesses on the power of digital marketing. Visit the website…


Finalists

Ben Towers – Towers Design

Towers Design is a multi-award winning Kent based full serviced digital agency offering design, printing, website development and hosting services to clients based all around Kent and London. They work with a multitude of clients ranging from start-ups to SMEs who all share the same vision of succeeding online. Our mission is to provide an excellent service whilst maintaining an affordable prices. Visit the website…

Bal Sandher – Hectic Lifestyles

Hectic Lifestyles Ltd is a multi-channel, online health and supplement retailer and distributor. They sell over 120 different nutritional products to consumers in 150 countries. Their aim is to cater to the ever growing demand of customers who work long hours in their jobs and have very little time to go to the gym or exercise. The products are aimed to assist and maximise their efforts. Rather than selling the products of other companies, their products are exclusively produced and branded. This provides incredible flexibility with innovative formulas, as well as the ability to market the brand with complete control. Visit the website…

KEiBA 2015

 

Charity Golf Day Boosts the future of Kent’s young people

Golf DayA charity golf day sponsored and hosted by by SLA Partnership and Woodfall Wealth Consultancy raised vital funds to boost the future career prospects of Kent’s young people. The event held on 2nd June to raise funds and awareness for Kent Foundation and Medway Youth Trust saw a mass of positive golfers and fundraisers brave the wet and windy weather at the prestigious London Golf Club.

Why young people?

Sarah Landry, Managing Director of SLA Partnership, Trustee Director at Medway Youth Trust and Volunteer Business Mentor for Kent Foundation enthusiastically addressed the audience about her involvement with both charities:

Kent Charity Golf Day 3“Charity pays a large part in my life, I understand how difficult forming a career or building a business can be and I genuinely believe that all young people should be given a helping hand to reach their full potential. Today has not just been about golf, but about your generosity and engagement with the aims of these two charities who deliver indispensable support services to young people to give them the support, belief and encouragement to succeed.”

James Woodfall, Managing Director of Woodfall Wealth Consultancy and headline sponsor was quoted:

“Kent’s young business owners play a huge part in the development of the future economy of the County. They are the business leaders of the future who will create future employment and business opportunities. Business success comes when we provide the correct support to help those young businesses to realise their potential. ”

A chat with the charities…

Two prominent Kent youth charities Kent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs and Medway Youth Trust were the beneficiaries of the awareness and fundraising event. Here’s what they had to say about the importance of their work.

Paul Barron, Director of Kent Foundation a business support charity whose flagship service is Business Mentoring said:

Kent Charity Golf Day 2“We meet with a wide range of young people, all with one thing in common – they want to start a business. They come to us with their enthusiasm to bring those ideas to life. One way in which we do this is through our flagship Business Mentoring Service. Our network of trained Volunteer Business Mentors support young business owners by creating a platform for them to make informed decisions about the future of their business. Having someone to listen, respond and engage to their ideas on a regular basis has been proven to increase the chances of business success.”

Graham Clewes CEO of Medway Youth Trust which delivers specialist employment, young carer and parent support:

“Picture in your minds a cliff much as we have along the Kent coast. Now imagine young people falling over the edge. Too many children and young people are making this fall in their lives and in the UK we tend seem to prefer to build services and institutions – for example prisons and hospitals – to treat them when they land at the bottom. But what we need are more fences at the top to prevent them from falling in the first place; they are cheaper and prevent long term difficulties. Our work at Medway Youth Trust is designed to build those metaphorical fences through early intervention, support, information and guidance, study programmes and encouraging young people to undertake social action. Today, as participants in our golf event, you have helped us to build more of these necessary fences for young people”

The day was polished off with a 3 course meal, a charity auction to win some incredible prizes and an inspiring yet humorous Q&A session in to the world of Rugby with ex Welsh Rugby legend Steve Moore.

The weather may not have been quite up to scratch however this did not deter from the positivity of the day with many asking us how they can book their place for next year. It couldn’t be easier, just press below…

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