insideKENT Magazine Issue 97 - April 2020 | Page 156

BUSINESS 2020 KWIB AWARDS RECOGNISES ALY HARROLD AS WOMEN’S CHAMPION COUNCILS PRAISED FOR COMMITMENT TO SMALL AND MEDIUM DEVELOPERS Professional public-speaking coach Aly Harrold was announced 2020 Women’s Champion in recognition for her support and transformational impact on businesswomen in Kent. Three local authorities have been praised for their commitment to supporting small and medium (SME) housebuilders. Aly, who lives in West Malling, coaches and inspires women to further develop their confidence, skills and effectiveness, and present confidently in front of an audience, by providing one-to- one coaching, group workshops, support programmes, and playing an active role within local business networks and conferences. Planning departments in Medway, Maidstone and Swale have begun working with an SME Network which brings EDEN MEADOW DEVELOPMENT together the teams behind the delivery of local small and medium, high quality, bespoke housing developments; demonstrating their understanding of the crucial role these developers have in helping to meet the Government’s challenging housing targets, alongside the larger, volume-focused housebuilders. Following a standing ovation, Aly spoke in her acceptance speech of the pride she feels at seeing those she has coached, which included two of the runners-up in her own category, become increasingly successful in their businesses as a result of being able to effectively articulate their value to their ideal clients. Dave Harris, head of planning at Medway Council, explained: “It’s great to see small developers recognising the role they can play by working together in this network. We are pleased to work with them. In recent years the proportion of new homes created by small housebuilders has dropped from almost 50 per cent to 10 per cent. This needs to be addressed. Aly said “I am delighted to have been recognised for the work I do with women across Kent. I am incredibly proud of what my clients are achieving by being able to speak articulately about their businesses. Each year keeps getting better and better, both for me and them. It is a great honour for me to be part of someone’s journey, helping them discover the power of their own voice, building their confidence and watching them inspire an audience, especially if they have been lacking in self-belief at the outset.” “If we are to meet the government’s housing targets and support our local economy, then we must make use of small housebuilders who are willing to take on high quality projects on smaller sites across Medway, rejuvenating communities and improving the diversity of our housing offer.” insideKENT EDITOR SAMANTHA READY RUNNER UP IN THE WOMEN IN THE ARTS/CREATIVE AWARD “The whole purpose of the SME Network is that it’s open to everyone and there’s always opportunity in the room. For some of us it’s about working together to discuss a planning issue, whereas for others it might be about cashflow or site identification. It’s up to each developer to decide how to make the most of it. The KWIBAs also recognised the achievements and dedication of Sideways Media’s Samantha Ready , who came runner up in the hotly contested Arts/Creative category. Samantha was recognised not only for her work editing your favourite Kent-based luxury lifestyle magazine, but also for a career dedicated to making creative careers accessible for young (and often underprivileged) people in Kent and London. “We’re all experiencing the same issues and by working through them together means we can improve our performance and go from being individuals to becoming a group that has a voice.” Paul Henry, managing director of Esquire Developments, a founding member of the SME Network, explains: “The response from the three councils has been great. They really appreciate the importance of small housebuilders and are being incredibly receptive to our efforts as a group. This was reaffirmed by chief planner to the Government, Steve Quartermain, when he attended our last meeting. To find out more about the SME Network, email Paul at [email protected]. FOUNDER OF WINE TOURS OF KENT DOUBLE WIN Abi Ireland, who started her company Wine Tours of Kent one year ago taking a leap of faith, to turn her passion into a business has won two Kent Women in Business Awards. The owner-operator and mum was overwhelmed to win both “Entrepreneur” and “Mumpreneur” of the year in front of 340 attendees, at the eighth KWIBA - which recognises inspirational and successful women 150 in business across Kent and was aptly held two days before International Women’s Day. Abi said "I cannot explain how overjoyed I am to have received these awards. I absolutely love meeting new people and creating memorable days out in the Kent vineyards for my wonderful customers. Here’s to the next year being as fun as the last. A huge well done to all of the finalists, what a great evening it was!"