Kent And Medway Manufacturing Focus Group (KMFG) – 29th April

*PLEASE NOTE* KMFG is now a CLOSED GROUP specifically set up to support the Manufacturing & Engineering organisations in Kent & Medway, including education providers.  There are a limited number of places available due to capacity restrictions and as a result of these constraints we are only accepting one representative per organisation at this specific event.

Booking via this webpage is an expression of interest and we will confirm your attendance via email. 

If we reach full capacity, a waiting list will be established, and those on the list will be notified accordingly. 

** Only registered attendees will be admitted to the event ** Please book your place now to avoid disappointment.

Pictures may be taken at this event. If you do not wish your picture to be taken, please let us know ahead of the event.

Kent & Medway Manufacturing Focus Group (KMFG) is a networking and business group for Manufacturing & Engineering organisations across Kent and Medway offering a unique access to peers and colleagues, sector specific information, advice and support.

The group meets every last Wednesday of the month, alternating between face to face meetings and site visits, see our website for details of future events https://kentemployerskillsplan.org/

KMFG is open to all manufacturing and engineering organisations in Kent & Medway alongside education providers, whether they are chamber members or not.

Supporting Skills, Innovation and the Future Engineering Workforce

Canterbury Christchurch University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU

Join the Kent & Medway Manufacturing Focus Group for an exclusive site visit to Canterbury Christ Church University’s Verena Holmes Building – a £65 million, state-of-the-art facility opened in 2021.

The building is home to Christ Church’s innovative science, technology, health, engineering and medicine provision, offering advanced facilities designed to support applied learning, research and industry collaboration. Its engineering spaces enable students to develop high-level technical skills and graduate as confident, work‑ready engineers.

Named after Verena Holmes, the Ashford-born pioneer widely regarded as the first woman in the UK to pursue a full-time career as a professional mechanical engineer, the building reflects a strong legacy of innovation, inclusion and excellence in engineering.

Engineering Students’ Poster Day

As part of the visit, attendees are invited to join the Engineering Students’ Poster Day, showcasing student-led projects that tackle real-world engineering challenges.

Highlights include:

• Industry 5.0 projects, featuring 3D‑printed wearable technologies designed to enhance human–technology interaction
• An autonomous lifebuoy developed to support maritime rescue operations
• A sustainability project with the Port of Dover, exploring ways to extend the lifecycle of industrial waste
• The Formula Student project, demonstrating a year of iterative design using CAD and structural analysis to optimise chassis and drivetrain performance while balancing safety, rigidity and weight reduction

Together, these projects reflect a year of experimentation, problem‑solving and teamwork, and represent students’ first steps towards contributing to the wider industrial community.

Itinerary

• 10.00am – Arrival & Registration – Tea, coffee & refreshments
• 10.30am – Overview of the University (Dr Adil Imam, Senior Lecturer in Engineering)
• 10.50am – Q & A with attendees
• 11.00am – Walk & Talk with Engineering Students and discussion of their projects
• 11.30am – Optional Tour of the Engineering Facilities
• 12.00pm – Final questions & Depart

Parking at the site is limited however, there are 20 spots reserved for this event in the Universities Black Car Park. To enter Black Car Park, please proceed up North Holmes Road and enter through Gate 6. Alternatively, Longport Car Park, CT1 1DU, is just a 5-minute walk from the University Campus.  North Holmes Campus is also a 10-minute walk from Canterbury East train station. The campus is also a 20-minute walk from Canterbury West train station.

On arrival, please enter the building and make your way by lift or stairs to the first floor, maker space room 1.14. CCCU Staff should be on hand to assist you if you encounter any difficulties finding the room.

The event is free to attend. The site is a strict no-smoking or vaping environment.

If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know before the event.

Important information

We are aware of recent reports of meningitis cases in the Canterbury area. Public health advice confirms that the overall risk remains low, and Canterbury Christ Church University has appropriate safeguarding and hygiene measures in place to ensure the safety of students, staff and visitors.

Attendees are encouraged to follow standard good hygiene practices and to stay informed by checking the latest public health guidance.

Up‑to‑date information and advice can be found here