The Kent Business Summit returns for a third time in January - one of the first major networking events of the year.

Taking place in the Sibson Building at the University of Kent's Canterbury campus, Kent Business Summit 2020 will focus on sustainable economic growth.

The increasingly popular event - which pulled in more than 300 people last year - will bring together business leaders, local government decision-makers and academic experts from across the county to discuss regional challenges and promote Kent as a "sustainable, innovative, forward-thinking and outward-looking county".

Key areas under the spotlight will be transport infrastructure, productivity and skills development.

Among this year's speakers will be Phil Eckersley from the Bank of England; Jagjit Chadha, professor of economics at the university and director of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research; Benita Matofska, author of Generation Share: The Change-makers Building the Sharing Economy; and Professor Anand Menon, chair of the Research Institute UK in a Changing Europe.

Inevitably it will also tackle the political and economic relationship of the UK with the EU.

The university’s vice-chancellor and president, Professor Karen Cox, said: "The Kent Business Summit is a great opportunity for the university to demonstrate its commitment to working in partnership with organisations of all sizes across Kent and Medway.

"It also enables all of us to learn more about how old and new collaborations and partnerships help bring valuable resources into the region, contribute to economic growth and ensure the long term sustainability and quality of life in Kent."

The summit is organised by Kent Business School in partnership with the Institute of Directors (IoD), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Locate in Kent (LiK), with support from head sponsor Crowe and media partner the KM Media Group - publisher of this website.

It takes place on Friday, January 10, and runs from 9am to 4.30pm.

Tickets - available by clicking here - are on sale now and cost £30. Early booking is recommended.

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