Local Growth Plan Workshops (May 2026)

Posted on: 24th April 2026

Help shape the future of Kent & Medway’s economy

Your insight. Our investment. Real impact for the local economy.

 

 

Kent & Medway’s councils, universities, and colleges are coming together to agree a single, long‑term plan for economic growth – and we want businesses at the table.

These workshops are your opportunity to directly influence where public investment, collaboration and action are focused over the next 10 years.

The Kent & Medway Economic Partnership (KMEP) is hosting a series of free, in‑person workshops during the week commencing 11 May 2026.

These sessions bring together local businesses, delivery partners and decision‑makers to help shape both:

  • Sector‑specific priorities, and
  • Cross‑cutting priorities — such as skills, infrastructure, innovation and investment — that affect the whole economy.

 

Why are we running these workshops?

These are working sessions, not presentation‑led events.

We are asking businesses and partners to:

  • Share what is really holding back growth
  • Identify where the biggest opportunities lie
  • Help prioritise the actions and investments that will make the greatest difference

What is shared through these workshops will:

  • Directly inform the Kent & Medway Local Growth Plan
  • Shape councils’, universities’ and colleges’ investment and delivery plans
  • Feed into engagement with central government, influencing future funding and policy decisions

In short: this is where business insight turns into action.

 

What is the Local Growth Plan?

The Kent and Medway Economic Partnership (KMEP), working with Metro Dynamics, is developing a 10 year Local Growth Plan to set a clear economic direction for the region.

Local Growth Plans are requested by central government and are becoming a core way government understands local economies, sets priorities, and decides where to work jointly with regions.

Government has been clear that Local Growth Plans must, as a minimum:

  • Set out a single, joined up vision for economic growth, shaped with input from businesses and other partners
  • Provide a robust, evidence based picture of the regional economy, identifying distinctive sector strengths and opportunities, aligned with the national Industrial Strategy
  • Identify clear shared priorities for joint working between local areas and central government, creating a platform for collaboration and coordinated action
  • Include a focused investment pipeline of priority projects (typically 4–10 per region) that are critical to unlocking growth

 

The workshop programme – sector-specific workshops

These sessions focus on Kent & Medway’s priority growth sectors, identified through the completed evidence base.

  • Digital Sector Workshop
    Monday 11 May | 9.30am–1.00pm
    Darwin Conference Suite, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NY
    Book now → Eventbrite link
  • Agri‑food & Agri‑tech Sector Workshop
    Wednesday 13 May | 9.30am–1.00pm
    The Orchards Suite, New Road, East Malling ME19 6BH
    Book now → Eventbrite link
  • Energy Sector Workshop
    Thursday 14 May | 9.30am–1.00pm
    University of Greenwich (Medway Campus), Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB
    Book now → Eventbrite link
  • Ports, Transport & Logistics Sector Workshop
    Friday 15 May | 9.30am–1.00pm
    Ashford International Hotel, Simone Weil Avenue, Ashford TN24 8UX
    Book now → Eventbrite link

 

Cross-cutting workshop

  • Cross‑cutting Priorities Workshop
    Friday 15 May | 9.30am–1.00pm
    Ashford International Hotel, Simone Weil Avenue, Ashford TN24 8UX
    Book now → Eventbrite link

This session complements the sector‑specific workshops and focuses on shared enablers of growth across the economy, including:

  • Skills and workforce systems
  • Infrastructure and connectivity
  • Innovation, finance and investment
  • Collaboration and delivery

It is particularly relevant for organisations working across multiple sectors, or where challenges cut across industries.

 

Who can attend?

The workshops are open to:

  • Businesses of all sizes across Kent & Medway
  • Sector bodies and networks
  • Organisations involved in skills, innovation, funding or delivery
  • Councils, universities and colleges

You are welcome to attend more than one workshop, including the cross‑cutting session.

 

Practical details

  • All workshops are free to attend
  • Events are in person
  • A complimentary buffet lunch will be provided at each session
  • Places are limited — early booking is encouraged