Kent Construction Focus Group (KCFG) – 6th February

Please be aware that you must be logged in to your Member Account to access Members Tickets.

Bookings will remain open until the event itself, but please note that if you book with less than 24 hours to go, your name won’t be on the “List of Attendees” or the “Signing in Sheet” and you won’t have a “Name Badge” on arrival.

As a Chamber Member, you will have exclusive access to the “List of Attendees”.

You must be based in Kent and In the Construction Industry to attend. Those that book to attend that do not fit this criteria will be contacted and a joining link will not be given/a refund issued.

The Kent Construction Focus Group (KCFG) is a one-stop-shop for local businesses to discuss the future of Kent development, giving companies access to local knowledge, expertise and contracts. KCFG promotes the future role of Kent land development and construction businesses in the growth and development of Kent and its environment.

This month’s guest speakers:

Mark Woodcock, JobMatcha

JobMatcha® is a scale-up Tech business based in Ashford, whose recruitment platform creates a unique digital identity for every worker, using Artificial Intelligence to carry out Right to Work and Credentials checks. The free, consumer-facing app allows workers to take ownership of their profile, to manage assignments and to be connected with local jobs at the right rates of pay. JobMatcha® currently works in the Construction sector, where its innovative model has been much lauded by significant industry players.

Mark Woodcock, CEO, has a background in e-commerce and product innovation, having held senior positions at companies such as lastminute.com, The Telegraph and SAGA. Since 2021, he has grown JobMatcha from scratch, and he will be telling his story and giving you a taste of the product he’s created.

Richard Jackson, Gate Safe

Richard has spent approaching 50 years in the fencing / gate industry and is the former CEO of Jacksons Fencing, a fencing and access control business with a multi-million-pound turnover. Richard masterminded Jacksons’ entry into the steel security products market and has an undisputed superior knowledge of all aspects of the physical security industry, including gate / barrier automation. After founding Gate Safe in 2010, he stepped down as CEO at Jacksons to dedicate 100% of his time to the charity.

Richard is a renowned industry spokesperson on physical security and automated access control issues. He oversees all Gate Safe activities and provides strategic direction to help the team navigate the way forward for the charity. Richard also continues to deliver training and undertakes site surveys.

Since the two tragic automated gate accidents in June / July 2010 Richard has been frequently called upon to act as an Expert Witness. In addition, Richard is an acknowledged industry spokesperson for the automated gate sector, regularly appearing in trade press features, podcasts and on other speaker platforms.

Today Gate Safe is the lead charity associated with promoting automated gate safety, supported by a number of leading industry associations including RoSPA, ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association), SAFed (Safety Assessment Federation), IOSH, Propertymark, Association of Fencing Industries and ECS (Electrotechnical Certification Scheme).

Lisa Carlson, Canterbury Business Improvement District (BID)

Lisa Carlson is CEO of Canterbury BID, leading multiple forums and working groups representing business interests across a range of topics from retail transformation, net zero, hospitality and evening & night time to inward investment, destination management and safety & security.

Lisa represents the BID on the Board of Canterbury’s masterplanning group (Canterbury Tales of England), the Canterbury Climate Action Partnership, and she Chairs Canterbury in Bloom and Canterbury’s Purple Flag Committee.

Lisa is also Chair of the Association of Town and City Management, which represents placemakers across the UK and Ireland. She appears regularly on local and regional television and radio. Lisa is part of the High Streets Task Force Sector Leaders Group and regularly joins the All Party Parliamentary Group for Towns and City Centres.

Hosted by members of the KCFG committee, Cheryl Causebrook and Ella Brocklebank.

Enjoy a Full English Breakfast at the Socialite Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, served from 7.30am with an anticipated finish of 9.30am.

As a Non-KCFG Member, you may attend this event twice before being required to become a Member. For any enquiries, please email Events@kentinvictachamber.co.uk