Kingston's Business School hosted the 2022 edition of Kingston Business Expo last Thursday (June 23rd), aimed to connect businesses and establish long-term relationships across the borough.

Returning to its in-person lay out at Kingston University following two years of digitally hosted events enforced by Covid-19, over 40+ exhibitors and key speakers were in attendance to offer local businesses tips and pointers regarding operating in an ever-changing consumer market.

Those in attendance were welcomed with a networking breakfast, offering people the chance to greet one another over a coffee and a croissant.

Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton, and Councillor Yogan Yoganathan then officially opened the business expo at 9.30am before the day could truly get underway.

Kingston University is currently leading a Future Skills campaign to champion the importance of innovation skills which are sought after by employers.

Their morning seminar offered students, policy makers and higher education providers and businesses a valuable insight into the current challenges and key skills required to succeed In the 21st century workplace.

Speed networking sessions were provided throughout the day, offering representatives from companies across sectors the chance to establish connections.

Kingston financial planners, Holland Hahn & Wills (HH&W), were one of the local businesses in attendance.

Reflecting on the Kingston Expo, HH&W's marketing manager Katie Lovatt told Nub News: "It was a delight to be back at Kingston University Business School Expo 2022. It provides the perfect opportunity to engage with businesses in the local area, to find out what's on the doorstep and how people can help each other.

"There is so much enthusiasm to help support local businesses and an event like the Expo provides the setting within which to meet and create, develop new ideas and discover new contacts."

Specialist advisors, Business Clan, were on hand with their mini Social Media Lab, guiding businesses through ways to optimise social media outreach and ways to improve current scores.

'How to have conversations about mental health in the workplace' by HR consultant, Dolina O'Neill was strongly attended and offered attendees a crucial insight into how to recognise poor mental health among colleagues and contacts, and the pitfalls businesses can face failing to manage performance and mental health.

Commenting on her highlight from the 2022 Kingston Business Expo, Katie of HH&W added: "For us the highlight was being able to support not one but two local charities. We donated our stands to Kingston Charitable Foundation and Kingston Hospital Foundation Trust, both worthy local charities who do not have the budget to be able to sign up for a stand at the expo themselves.

"We felt privileged to be able to provide that opportunity and we met some interesting people, and the charities each held a raffle supported by HH&W and raising valuable funds."

HH&W's Chris Hirsch and Katie Lovatt supporting the Kingston Charitable Foundation at Kingston Business Expo 2022.

To read further on the Kingston Business Expo and their programme from Thursday's event, visit the link here.