The HR Dept West Kent

27/05/2026

There aren't many things that make a family holiday feel even more special. Whilst on one such break, I have just found out that we have been shortlisted under two categories for the Tonbridge Business Awards 2026 :

1. Businesswoman of the year
2. Microbusiness of the year

Unbelievable but so very chuffed about this result.

For now, I just want to savour this moment.....

21/05/2026

As a student I remember being advised, 'work hard, but more importantly work smart'. As an for smallbusinesses I have learnt that the same principle applies when you manage a .

Most want to do the right thing by their staff, and most of them do. There is however no magic formula to always getting it right. There is no guarantee that a will not land on the desk of the best who supposedly did everything right. Why? Because you are dealing with . Individuals, and leaders approach situations differently. This is further impacted by business , and the everchanging scene of . There is no right or wrong. But being aware of the risks and consequences of your decisions, will set you apart from the rest.

Our for are not based on a or . We build based solutions from day 1, that encompass , and . This is why, our clients are not panicking about , compliance, firefighting , - nor uncapped awards for claims, given all the ongoing changes taking effect under the . We continue to prepare them for these changes and build further on the strong foundations already laid, foundations which are based on three main principles which have a clear impact on their bottomline year after year:

✅ Compliance through our
☑️ Resilience for risk through our
✅ Proactive strategies through conversations that weather times of

,

If you would like to find out more, come and see us at the , Stand 62. We would like to meet likeminded businesses who want to make a positive difference to their people and minus the panic, much like our clients do.



By the way, the message on these little marble stones were formulated and handwritten by me. And not some AI generated gorgeousness. Each one represents a completed project and/or real life-lessons learnt. My favourite one is 'Risk doesn't discriminate'. Let me know if something resonates with you and I'll hand you one at the Expo on 4th June .

Brilliant Businesses UK Brilliant Businesses of Maidstone Businesses serving residents of Hadlow Village , Kent West Kent Business

14/05/2026

I don’t know how Nick manages to achieve this every time!

Before getting to the studio I refrained from eating or drinking anything other than water because of my nerves. But the end result that is these wonderful business podcasts, always feels so seamless and effortless!

Thank you so much for inviting me over for a very insightful chat!

Its always busy and non-stop in the life of a owner. Doing this podcast reminded me of where we started, how far we have come and the people, businesses and charities, who have become a part of this enriching journey!

In the coming weeks, we will be sharing a few more snippets around this story.

Thank you, Nick! I very much enjoyed it.

Brilliant Businesses UK
Brilliant Businesses of Sevenoaks
Brilliant Businesses of Maidstone
Brilliant Businesses of Tunbridge

Businesses serving residents of Hadlow Village , Kent

11/05/2026

Looking forward to doing the podcast with you, Nick!

25/04/2026

It’s an honour to be supporting this event, the charities and the businesses we work alongside with. Thank you, for the opportunity Tonbridge Business Awards and Jess Gibson.

Large Business Award 2026, sponsored by The HR Dept West Kent ✨

Does your business employ 20 or more staff and make a major impact in Tonbridge? Entries are now open for the Large Business category of the Tonbridge Business Awards 2026, proudly sponsored by HR Dept West Kent.

This award celebrates the established and ambitious businesses helping drive Tonbridge forward through leadership, investment, innovation and job creation. From professional services and hospitality to retail, manufacturing and specialist sectors, we want to recognise the organisations achieving outstanding results locally.

Whether you’ve expanded your team, invested in people, introduced new ideas, delivered exceptional customer service or made a meaningful contribution to the local economy, this is your opportunity to share your story and be recognised for your success.

Entry deadline: Monday 11th May
Awards ceremony: Thursday 25th June
Entry forms: thetnawards.com/tonbridge-awards

About our category sponsor: Based in Tonbridge, HR Dept West Kent supports businesses of all sizes with practical HR advice, employment law guidance and people management solutions. From start-ups hiring their first employee to established companies needing strategic support, they help businesses build compliant, confident and effective workplaces.

Thank you to HR Dept West Kent for their support.

Headline Sponsor: Baxall Construction

23/04/2026

Such a proud moment for to be sponsoring a category in the Tonbridge Business Awards. Being a smallbusiness based in it is a privilege to have the opportunity to support Jess Gibson's initiative.

We are grateful to be able to support this event, which recognises and celebrates excellence, innovation and hard work in our local town. I feel very proud to celebrate , and their teams, who are making a positive difference. Through meaningful partnerships, this event brings the best minds and together. These partnerships make this event accessible to everyone within our business and the families that stand behind the , who achieve what they do.

This year we are for the category. This category celebrates who are paving the way for success, being impactful and growing by leaps and bounds besides employing of more than 20 . They are also an inspiration to the smaller businesses in our town. We wish you all the very best and look forward to celebrating with you in the summer!

The launch was hosted by one of my favourite venues which made it extra special and enjoyable Mereworth Wines. Very good to meet with other sponsors, colleagues and friends who contributed to a very memorable evening! Thank you to everyone and a special thank you, to Jess!

Russell Harper of Russell Harper Photography Ltd, your capture of the evening is as lovely as ever. Special thanks to you too!!

West Kent Mind Scotts Project Trust Odyssey Events

23/04/2026

Thank you, Jess, for organising this event. I felt very proud to be a sponsor especially when you explained what a huge difference sponsorships make, to keeping these events accessible to all small business owners and their families. Loved everything from the venue to the company! Not to mention the charities the event supports - West Kent Mind Scotts Project Trust.

Thank you very much for allowing me the opportunity to support this event!

Russell Harper Photography Ltd lovely work, as always!

19/12/2025

Very pleased to note that our chosen Rights of Women has seen their campaign come to fruition, in effectively addressing in the . Long overdue measures.

There are very few women in particular that I know of, including myself, who haven’t faced some form of sexual harassment in the workplace. It is important that charities like Rights of Women, continue to be a voice to promote awareness and campaign for legislative changes, so meaningful and lasting change can prevail.

The passing of the Employment Rights Act this week marks an important step in addressing violence against women and girls in the workplace.

We particularly welcome the strengthening of the duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment, including the requirement to take all reasonable steps. This is a change Rights of Women has long campaigned for and which was previously diluted, against our recommendations, in the Worker Protection Act.

From speaking to hundreds of women survivors of sexual harassment through our free legal advice line, we know that strong, enforceable prevention duties are essential to tackling workplace abuse and shifting harmful workplace cultures.

The extension of the employment tribunal time limit from 3 months to 6 months is also a welcome improvement. It gives women more time to seek advice and consider their options. However, it still does not go far enough. Many women are traumatised by their experience of sexual harassment, often while continuing to work in unsafe or hostile environments. Expecting women to be ready to engage with formal legal processes within six months does not reflect the realities of trauma or the power imbalances women face at work.

We also welcome other important changes, including strengthened whistleblowing protections for sexual harassment and limits on non-disclosure agreements. These measures are crucial to challenging workplace cultures of silence and retaliation that allow abuse to persist.

To genuinely address violence against women and girls, these protections must be safeguarded from dilution and properly implemented and enforced. Without accountability, these changes risk existing on paper only, rather than delivering real safety, dignity and equality for women at work.

20/11/2025

Congratulations to the winners of the category

MINT DJ Services

And highly commended businesses
Jump It Recruitment Solutions Ltd Chilliapple

Very well done to all the finalists too. And every small business which took part in the process this year. It’s a huge achievement in itself to be running a successful small business! It takes endurance, faith, teamwork and hard work, much like a marathon. And this is why, being a part of the same club, we were so very proud to be sponsoring the category.

Best wishes and here's to many more successes! All the very best.

Thank you to Odyssey Events and for helping us capture some fun memories of the evening!

Sweet Temptations Cakery Not to foget the delicious cupcake from Sweet Temptations Cakery, which the kids relished. It was my way of saying thanks to my kids for allowing me to be away for this incredible celebration during bedtime.

Thank you to the The TN card and Brilliant Businesses of Tunbridge Wells for all your thought and efforts behind this truly joyous event for small businesses.

Welham Jones Funeral Directors

13/11/2025

Many Congratulations to all the finalists in the category. Very well done for getting your entries in, despite your busy schedules. Look forward to celebrating with everyone next week!!