Be part of the county’s biggest business discussion at the Kent and Medway Business Summit on Tuesday 13 May. Bringing together key voices from across business, politics and academia, the summit is your one-stop shop for the latest information and contacts to shape the future of your business and the county.

Sponsored by Leverets, the eighth annual summit will be bigger and bolder than before with a full day of talks and activities.

In an uncertain world which makes planning ahead hard, sessions will focus on what we need to stand on our own two feet – including a keynote address on the UK's economic outlook from Institute of Directors’ Chief Economist Anna Leach and a fireside chat with musician and entrepreneur YolanDa Brown OBE.

With AI both a disruptor and an opportunity, experts across the field will help unpick what you need to be thinking about now to help navigate the hype curve.

Marketing expert and CEO of Dodgems and Floss Ben Fitter-Harding and AI and Innovation Lead at Select Technology Nick Ellis will give practical examples to help businesses embrace AI, with the University’s Director of the Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries Professor Jim Ang being expertise on where the tech is going.

Share your thoughts on what business in the county needs to thrive with Walker Construction Managing Director Phil Webb, Chair of Green Hub and Kent Business Radio presenter, Martin White, in light of the UK's imminent new Industrial Strategy, net zero targets and devolution.

There will also be a look at the skills landscape in Kent and what future generations will bring to the workforce with Chief Executive of East Kent Colleges, Lucy McLeod, Chief Contracts and Policy Officer at KICC, Lucy Druesne who leads the local skills improvement plan for the region, and Dr Blessing Enakimio – an expert in helping business navigate change and build sustainable growth.

And if that’s not enough, there’ll be business masterclasses on everything from LinkedIn algorithms to cash flow. Plus, opportunities to forge relationships at lunch and all the while exploring the university campus and facilities that could support your business during netwalking sessions.

Delivered in partnership with the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and in association with the Federation of Small Businesses and Institute of Directors, the summit will bring together businesses, key policymakers and leading academics to inspire and support collaboration, innovation and growth for Kent business.

For more information, visit www.kent.ac.uk/business-summit.