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PERSONAL insolvencies have
reached record numbers, according to
research by accountancy/audit giant
KPMG.
More than 240 people are petitioning for
their own bankruptcy in the UK every
day, amounting to 35,242 for the quarter
ending September 30 � nearly 30 per cent
up on the same period in 2008.
The recession is largely to blame and
things may worsen. John Bangham, direc-
tor of personal insolvency at KPMG, said:
"With many people already living beyond
their means, this downturn coupled with
increasing unemployment will force people
to take drastic action, such as applying for
bankruptcy."
TUNBRIDGE Wells-based execu-
tive recruitment and training
company GerrardWhite and the spa
town's Brew House Hotel have com-
bined to create One Talent
Development.
The new venture answers local
demand by individuals to explore
their personal and career aspirations
and has been masterminded by Tanya
Gerrard-White, who has more than 25
years' experience in recruitment and
helping people to realise their true
potential.
One Talent Development comprises
workshops and seminars large and
small for the remainder of 2009 and
into 2010, designed to fit in with fami-
ly commitments wherever possible.
It is based at the restored Old
School House within the Brew House
Hotel on Warwick Park, close to the
Pantiles.
Tanya said: "Like-minded people
will have the opportunity to enjoy
dynamic, yet approachable, sessions,
in an historic venue."
SENCIO Community Leisure (SCL)
has gained Inclusive Fitness
Initiative's (IFI) provisional level status.
The Kent-based organisation achieved
the accreditation for work at Sevenoaks
leisure centre to improve access, staff
training in disability awareness and for
new parking and emergency policies.
The centre has also organised a family
open day in conjunction with Valence
School to highlight specialist and adapted
sports. There is also a Friday evening fun
club for children with disabilities, their
siblings, parents and carers.
SUBARU has stepped up its hunt
for new franchises in Kent.
Though the upmarket Japanese 4x4
specialist imports its cars through
county ports, it is conscious of under-
representation in a county with
favourable demographics.
The brand is promoting its franchis-
es opportunities with a "high-profile
products with good margins at a low-
entry cost" pitch and is prepared to
talk to used car specialists and peo-
ple keen to own their first dealership
as well as other brand holders.
SOLICITORS Furley Page is bucking
a trend in the profession where staff
are being shed or working short time.
It has had no recession casualties across
its Canterbury, Whitstable, Chatham and
Lloyds of London offices and has actually
expanded.
Its new premises in the Admiral's Offices
at Chatham Historic Dockyard has gained
experienced lawyer Maxine Gregory, who
joins Martin Kingman's debt recovery and
insolvency team, while newly-qualified
solicitor Tony Chester joins the corporate
team.
Susan Jennings, who heads the
Chatham office, said: "Further expansion
is on the cards, but we're not resting on
our laurels. We need to get the message
out that we offer the expertise of London
firms without the City price tag. The dock-
yard is a fantastic location for our clients."
NEW start-up company boss
Peter Hegarty had `initial' difficul-
ties when settling on T&M
Property Maintenance as the
name of the operation.
"I formed the business with my wife
Maxine, so we went with her initial as one
half of the name but, being born in Cardiff,
I've been known as Taff ever since I left
Wales," said the 38-year-old Gillingham man.
"So, if someone called out `Peter!', I wouldn't
even think they were were talking to me, so
we had to go with a T."
The former Royal Engineer, who also
notched 20 years in construction, decided to
start his own business after being made
redundant in June and has become the first
recipient of a �1,000 Partners for Growth
start-up grant from Medway Council.
Further help has come from the Royal
British Legion.
He and Maxine have previously worked
together at the Dockside shopping develop-
ment in Chatham and plan to offer private
and commercial small build works, general
repairs, decorating, cleaning, window clean-
ing and garden maintenance.
Taff said: "This start-up grant will really
help get the business off the ground as it will
help with the costs associated with setting
up, such as marketing and administration as
well as other expenses.
"The council has also provided me with
training to run my business. Giving local peo-
ple the help they need to start a new business
is a really good thing to do in this difficult
economic climate.
"My business plan has made a provision to
take on six staff and I hope to employ four of
these by April. With the council giving us this
grant, we will be able to help other people in
Medway by creating work for them."
Peter and Maxine were also provided with
courses such as book-keeping and employ-
ment law training through Medway Council's
Business Link service.
Its new business start-up grants provide up
to a maximum of �1,000 to local people with
a sound business idea and typically includes:
� Those with innovative new commercial
business ideas.
� Redundant people who may be highly
skilled with significant business experience.
� Students graduating from universities
wishing to start their own companies.
� New creative industry businesses.
� Social enterprises delivering services to the
community.
Cllr Jane Chitty, portfolio holder for strate-
gic development and economic growth at the
council, said: "The council has introduced its
Partners for Growth business start-up grants
to help kick-start new business schemes dur-
ing these difficult times.
"These grants will give people a real oppor-
tunity to realise their dreams and unlock
their ambition."
For more information, call the council's eco-
nomic development team on 01634 338138.
WORK on two stalled housing developments in Deal and Medway
have gained a �9 million cash injection from the Government
Kickstart programme.
Work will resume within weeks on 103 homes at St Mary's Island,
Chatham,including67eco-friendlyhomesfortheopenmarket,15homes
for social rent and 21 for low-cost home ownership.
The second project is 50 homes for the open market, plus much need-
ed community services including a doctor's surgery and a community
centre, in Cannon Street, Deal.
Both projects were among 26 shortlisted during the summer for
Government funding, which also included another in Ashford. Total
Kickstart funding for the south east is �43.27m, earmarked for 964
homes. South East minister Jonathan Shaw said: "The construction
industry, which has suffered during the recession, needs this cash injec-
tion to kick-start work on building sites, to provide much needed prop-
erties. In the south east more than 200,000 households are on council
waiting lists and more than 7,500 homeless households are living in tem-
porary accommodation.
"The two schemes are also offering local labour apprenticeships, so we
are creating jobs, developing skills,and providing homes."
Further Kent projects may benefit from a second wave of Kickstart
funding worth �500m.
But the Government insists it is getting value for every Kickstart
pound,astwothirdsoffundingmustberepaid,withlessthanafifthcon-
sisting of direct grant to support developers and the rest used to fund
affordable homes as part of the programme. And only developers who
have accepted a realistic current market price for their land have been
eligible for this investment.
THE Martha Trust charity, which assists peo-
ple with profound physical and learning dis-
abilities, is jointly organising a ladies' fashion
show and lunch on Tuesday.
Its partner in the event at Folkestone's Leas
Cliff Hall is Basepoint, the property portfolio
owned by the ACT Foundation grant-making
charity.
Those attending will include Sandra
Howard, wife of Folkestone and Hythe MP
Michael Howard. Modelling clothes supplied
by Ella Boutique and Debenhams will be vol-
unteers from Basepoint.
Accountant David Olding, from Tax MoT,
will be comp�re, and with a raffle and auction,
the show will be an enjoyable way to aid the
Deal-based Martha Trust. Tickets are �25 per
head for a two-course lunch and are available
from Serita Boxall at the Martha Trust 01304
610448 (seritaboxall@marthatrust.org.uk) and
also on sale at Basepoint Folkestone,
Shearway Business Park.
MEDWAY School of Pharmacy graduate
Anthony Samson has been named Tesco's Pre-
Registration Trainee of the Year.
Anthony, pictured
right, worked as a
trainee pharmacist at
Tesco after completing
his Master of
Pharmacy (MPharm)
degree at Medway in
2008 and his award
recognises dedication
during the year-long
training programme.
Anthony, from
Sittingbourne, spent his pre-reg year at the
Sheerness branch of Tesco and has continued
working with the supermarket chain as a pro-
fessional pharmacist and is planning to
become a cardiovascular specialist in either
community or hospital pharmacy.
Programme manager Khilna Shah said:
"Anthony's ambition and drive were clearly
demonstrated during the year. He has shown
true dedication and commitment."
Unusual initial worries
in ex-sapper's start-up
Stalled housing sites given �9m Kickstart
By ANDY ROGERS
editorial@kosmedia.co.uk
TAFF AT THE TOP: Peter and Maxine have
started T&M Property Maintenance
MODEL CITIZENS:
Basepoint staff will
take to the catwalk
for the fashion
show and lunch
Model assistance
for charity show
Right chemistry

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