MEET OUR SPONSORS
Sponsoring the awards provides businesses with the perfect opportunity to raise their profiles across Kent
Headline Sponsor - DDS International
DDS International is a group of leading health and safety consultants based in Sittingbourne. The team provides advice, training, health and safety consultancy and highly effective management and support to businesses across the UK and around the world. It works to help companies develop, implement and maintain simple systems to make safety compliance easy and straightforward.
Category Sponsors
Shepherd Neame
Shepherd Neame has been based in the market town of Faversham, Kent for over 300 years. Perhaps best known for great British classic ales such as Spitfire Amber Ale, which carries the Royal Warrant, its diverse portfolio includes Spitfire Lager, Bear Island East Coast Pale Ale, the Whitstable Bay Collection, Hurlimann and Noughty Bear 0.5% IPA. It has also brewed premium Thai lager Singha under license for the UK market since 2022. The independent family business boasts an award-winning visitor centre and more than 300 pubs and hotels throughout London and the South East, from the historic heart of the City to the Kent coastline.
kff
kff is Kent’s leading regional foodservice wholesaler, providing businesses across the area with a comprehensive range of top quality fresh, frozen and ambient products. Based in Aylesford for over 60 years and with 4,000 customers, a significant percentage of its range is sourced from the region’s best food and drink companies, allowing it to serve the best the Garden of England can offer. Backed by Sysco, the world’s largest foodservice wholesaler, it is continually investing in operations, infrastructure and sustainability, putting its customers at the heart of everything it does and delivering great service across education, hotels, restaurants, pubs and cafés.
Clive Emson Auctioneers
Clive Emson Auctioneers is the leading regional specialist land and property auction service across the South. Providing a high-quality auctioneering facility for everyone - private buyers and sellers, investors and hundreds of estate agents. With offices in Kent, Essex, Hampshire, Sussex and the West Country, its professional team has excellent local knowledge and is well-placed to guide and advise; whether you are looking to sell or buy.
Lipscomb Cars
Lipscomb Cars is a privately owned new and used car dealer in Kent and has built its reputation on providing a personal service to car buyers with total integrity. Its three used and new car dealerships in Canterbury and Maidstone are all presented to the highest standard, reflecting a business ethos of providing outstanding service in all departments, from sales to aftersales. The dealerships stock a wide range of quality new and used cars from a variety of marques, including Volvo plus the vehicles from the Stellantis marque which includes Fiat, Abarth, Jeep and Fiat Professional Vans. Lipscomb – The Car People Who Care.
Windsor Food Machinery
Windsor Food Machinery is a trusted partner for professional food businesses across the UK. Established in 1994, Windsor Food Machinery is a family-run company based in Kent and a highly respected supplier of butchery and food processing equipment, serving customers nationwide and beyond. Under the same ownership, Henkelman is the No.1 vacuum packing brand in the UK and Europe. Its professional chamber vacuum packing machines are renowned for exceptional build quality, reliability and performance. Together, Windsor Food Machinery and Henkelman combine decades of industry expertise with market-leading vacuum packing technology, delivering dependable solutions trusted by food professionals.
Medway Food Innovation Centre
The Medway Food Innovation Centre is a state-of-the-art facility advancing food science and product development. This collaborative hub supports research, testing, and innovation in the food industry, providing access to specialised equipment, including GC-nose technology for sensory analysis. The centre partners with academic institutions, including the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Futures on plant protein research, and facilitates the development of new food products and formulations. By combining cutting-edge facilities with collaborative opportunities, the Medway Food Innovation Centre drives innovation and excellence in sustainable food technology and product creation.