Organisers of the upcoming Kent and Medway Business Summit have confirmed a host of names to speak at the event.

The annual gathering, hosted by the University of Kent, is due to return in January with sustainability its key focus.

Among those speaking on that topic will be Kresse Wesling, co-founder of Faversham-based brand Elvis and Kresse; Dan Crooks from carbon-negative firm iFruits, based in Maidstone; and Simon Barnes from the university who will discuss the potential of using hydrogen as a more sustainable fuel for the future.

The event is due to be held at the university's Canterbury campus - but will revert to online, as it did earlier this year, if Covid restrictions are imposed.

Among other discussion areas will be a workshop on the importance of cultural and creative industries in place-making.

Speakers confirmed for that include Simon Storey, chief executive of Kent Cricket; Jasmin Khan, a trustee of Turner Contemporary in Margate; and Emma Wilcox, head of the Creative Estuary project.

Meanwhile, Bal Sandher, MD of Rochester's health supplements manufacturer Hectic Lifestyles - which recently won two KEiBA awards; and Sam Samson from Kent County Council, will appear at a workshop discussing how to improve business productivity.

And with the skills shortage still causing many firms a headache, a workshop dedicated to how to retain and attract a talented workforce will see Gill Monk, MD of employee-owned All Health Matters and Victoria Copp-Crawley, principal of Canterbury College joined by academics from the University of Kent to discuss the issues.

As previously announced, the workshops will follow keynote addresses from Phil Eckersley, from the Bank of England; Roger Gough, leader of Kent County Council; and Richard Hicks, deputy chief executive and director of place at Medway Council.

To register for tickets, click here.

The summit, taking place on January 14, is led by the University of Kent with partners the Federation of Small Businesses, Institute of Directors and Locate in Kent. The KM Group - publisher of this website - is media partner.

Head to our business page for all of the latest news about businesses in Kent