Kent Business Leaders Dinner

ATTENDANCE IS BY INVITATION ONLY:

At a time of much uncertainty for business, there is more value than ever in local business leaders coming together to support each other and to exchange ideas and opportunities.

With this in mind we are staging our first Kent Business Leaders Dinner of the year on Thursday 17th March at The Old Brewery Store, Shepherd Neame, Faversham.

A drinks reception will be served from 6pm followed by a sumptuous dinner.

Tickets are fully inclusive of arrival drink, 3 course dinner, coffee, petit fours and all wine, beer and soft drinks.*

This event enables like-minded business leaders to gather in an informal and relaxed environment. We encourage all our guests to talk freely and to exchange opinions and ideas in a confidential and supportive environment. As a result, we ask guests to respect that this event is held under ‘Chatham House’ rules, hence no media representatives will be present.

Dress Code: Usual Business Attire

Guest Speaker: Jonathan Neame

Jonathan Neame, Chief Executive of Shepherd Neame, will be talking about how the brewery has dealt with the challenges of the Covid 19 pandemic and what, in his view, the future challenges and opportunities are for Kent’s business community and, in particular, the hospitality sector.

Jonathan was educated at Harrow School, Pembroke College Cambridge, The City University and Inns of Court School of Law. He achieved 2.1 MA Cantab Classics; Diploma in Legal Education and is a Barrister at Law.

After qualifying as a Barrister he joined the COBA Group, London specialists in mergers, acquisition work and due diligence investigations into major capital projects and related City activity, as a Strategic Consultant.

Jonathan joined Shepherd Neame in 1991 as Company Secretary. In 1994 he became Tenanted Trade Director and subsequently Trade Director. In 1999 he became Managing Director and Chief Executive in 2003.

He was Chairman of the British Beer and Pub Association from 2012 to 2015 and a Non-Executive Director of the St Austell Brewery Company Ltd from 2002 until May 2018.

He was a Chairman of Visit Kent from 2015 till 2020 and a Chairman the Leeds Castle Enterprises, He remains a Trustee of the Leeds Castle Foundation since 2011.

He is a Renter Warden of the Brewers Company and a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Kent in 2016.

Jonathan is married to Lucie and they have one daughter, Violette. His interests include cricket, skiing, country pursuits, walking and cycling.

Menu Choices

Starter

• Country Paté with Ale Chutney, Mixed Leaves and Granary Toast
• Crab, Prawn and Avocado Tian with Bloody Mary Sauce
• Spiced Parsnip Soup garnished with Parsnip Crisps (V, Vg)

Main Course

• Braised Beef Medallions in Spitfire Ale with Portobello, Chestnut and Oyster Mushrooms accompanied by Chef’s vegetables of the day
• Baked Fillet of Scottish Salmon, Crushed New Potatoes, Sauté of Green Vegetables and Brown Shrimp Butter Sauce
• Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Baby Spinach and a Parmesan & Herb dressing  (V, Vg)

Dessert

• Pears Poached in Cherry Brandy served with thick Fresh Cream (Vg)
• Sticky Toffee Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce
• Stem Ginger Cheesecake with Honeycomb Ice Cream

V = Vegetarian | Vg = Vegan version available on request

*Please note that Kent Invicta Chamber feels that, in these uncertain and challenging times, it is vital that our local business leaders come together in this way and that this event series should not be a profit driven activity hence the ticket price has been set at ‘cost’.

Staged by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, in association with KICC Patrons.