Thinking Business June 2023
Artificial Intelligence – A competitive advantage.
Welcome to the latest edition of Thinking Business.
I am delighted to announce that the Chamber Board have appointed Tudor Price, my current Deputy, to take over as Chief Executive, when I retire at the end of the year.
Tudor has worked tirelessly for the Chamber for the past 12 years and I am delighted that he will be the new Chief Executive when I step down at the end of this year. We will be working closely over the next few months to ensure a smooth transition for the Chamber.
Let me also extend a warm welcome to our returning Patrons, our new Patron The Digital Lookout and our new Chamber Members. We are delighted that you have joined the Chamber and we will endeavour to do all that we can to support you every step of the way.
The Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Awards is the highlight of the Chamber’s calendar and gives us the opportunity to showcase the amazing achievements of our local businesses and the very talented individuals who lead and work for them. Entries open 12th June, see page 45 for further details.
The event will be held on Thursday 23rd November 2023 at Westenhanger Castle in Hythe. The award categories include: Outstanding Contribution to Business in Kent, Business of the Year, Construction Project of the Year, Employer of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year, to name a few. A massive thank you to our sponsors for supporting the event.
Medway’s reputation as an ideal location for companies looking to put down new roots is certainly growing; it is now home to 14,000 businesses. Just 34 minutes away from central London on the train, it is one of the best connected places to do business.
Its reputation as a national hub for innovation and engineering spans many centuries from its time as a great ship-builder and aircraft manufacturer. BAE Systems, Medway’s largest private employer with more than 1,400 employees, is ensuring the area remains a world class site for innovation. With a multi-million-pound redevelopment on the cards, the facility will bring many new jobs to the area. A high-tech business park under construction next to Rochester Airport is also set to create around 3,000 jobs in the area. There are also plans to develop a factory on the Hoo Peninsula capable of making 1,000 modular homes a year.
If the development is approved, that is estimated to bring another 250 jobs to the area. It is fascinating to learn more about the rise of artificial intelligence and how AI can benefit businesses.
Although AI is still in its infancy, there is no doubt that it will creep more and more into our daily lives.
We already see it on our mobile phones and computers with voice activated personal assistants and more and more businesses are adopting AI to assist with routine operations. We take a closer look at the future of AI in this issue.
Jo James, Chief Executive
Kent Invicta Chamber Commerce
