Kent B Corp Impact Summit 2026

Kent B Corp Impact Summit 2026

This year's B Corp Month gathering for Kent’s purpose-led businesses and not-for-profit organisations

Join Kent B Corps, B Curious companies, and purpose-driven organisations for a collaborative day focused on the new B Corp standards, shared learning, and shaping the future of our local B Corp community.

This is our second annual Impact Summit - a space to learn, ask questions, connect with peers, and help define Kent B Local’s mission for the year ahead.

📍 Town Hall, Civic Way, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1AL
📅 Monday 9 March 2026
🕤 9.30 am - 4.30 pm

Draft Programme (subject to change)

9.30 - 10.00
Coffee and networking

10.00 - 10.10
Welcome and housekeeping

10.10 - 10.40
How should B Corps respond to the world of AI?
Pete Kenyon - Cripps

Pete Kenyon is a partner at Cripps law firm and heads up their Commercial and Technology team. He and his team have spent the last 2 years working closely with the UK government on the intersection with AI and regulation through many consultations. In particular, they have focused with the Department of Science Innovation and Technology on “responsible AI”. Pete is also a very big advocate of the B Corp movement and believes that as B Corps, we have an important role to play in asking some of the big questions around AI. He believes that whilst we cannot stop the AI revolution from happening, we can control our response to it, and we can play our part in the discourse.

10.40 - 11.00
Guest keynote: Mike Martin MP
Member of Parliament for Tunbridge Wells

Mike Martin MP serves on the Defence Select Committee and Joint Committee on National Security Strategy. He has a background in leadership across the military, charity sector and public life, and is a supporter of the Better Business Act and the B Corp movement.

Mike is interested in how organisations can collaborate to build stronger, more sustainable communities. At the Summit, he will share reflections on the role responsible business can play in building communities where people and organisations can thrive.

11.00 - 12.00
Materiality 101
Andy Stephens - COOK

A practical look into what a materiality assessment is, how to conduct one, and how to use it to influence your impact strategy, whilst complying with the new B Corp standard.

Andy Stephens is Impact Director at COOK and has 15 years' experience working in sustainability. As a self-professed impact and data nerd, he loves a good materiality assessment, and more importantly, the positive impact it can help businesses deliver.

12.00 - 13.00
Unlocking JEDI in the new B Corp Standards & Beyond
Ali Fisher (She/Her) - Plans with Purpose

Ali will unpack the new B Corp Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) standard with the aim that everyone leaves the session with clarity on what the B Lab requirements are and some ideas for how you can go about actioning JEDI within your organisation, plus some inspiring case studies as the icing on the cake.

Ali Fisher is the Founder of Plans With Purpose and a Sustainability & EDI Business Mentor. She partners with SMEs to strengthen their organisations through the lens of people and planet. Ali is also a Founder of the JEDI MATTERS Collective - a group of six B Corps working together to embed and progress JEDI. Ali lives in Guildford with her partner, three teens and English Springer Spaniel, Florrie.

13.00 - 13.45
Lunch

13.45 - 14.15
New standards Q&A session

A live Q&A session focused on the new B Corp standards and certification journey. Bring your questions and get clarity from a panel of B Corp and sustainability professionals, including Annie Olivier, Head of Growth, B Lab UK. This is an open space to ask the questions you’ve been sitting on and learn from others navigating the same changes.

14.15 - 15.15
Kent B Local: A vision & mission 2026–2027
Rachael Carley, Kent B Local Co-Chair & Rebecca Marks
Live visual scribing by Katie Chappell

A collaborative strategy session where everyone in the room can help shape the future direction of Kent B Local for 2026 - 2027. Together we’ll explore priorities, opportunities and ideas for the year ahead, and define what success looks like for our community.

Rachael Carley is Co-Chair of Kent B Local and Founder of Carley Coaching. A certified coach and sustainability consultant, she works with purpose-led organisations on leadership, culture and team development, helping businesses meet the challenge of achieving both commercial and impact success. Since joining the B Corp community in 2022, Rachael has been passionate about strengthening collaboration between organisations using business as a force for good. Rebecca Marks is a people and culture specialist and helps senior leaders navigate complex change by focusing on the people involved and how they work together. he has over 25 years’ experience in consultancy and senior in‑house roles, and brings a practical blend of coaching, facilitation and communication skills to support real behavioural change.

15.15 - 15.30
Comfort break

15.30 - 16.30
Walk & talk

A chance to connect, decompress, continue the conversation, and process learning whilst enjoying some fresh air with fellow attendees. We will also include a light community litter pick. Please bring gardening-style gloves if you have them.

This programme is subject to change. If you’d like to get more involved in this Summit, please get in touch: rachael@carleycoaching.com

Practical information

• Morning refreshments and lunch included
• Workshops and networking time
• Quiet spaces available if needed
• Step-free access via entrance in Monson Way.
• Accessible toilets available
• Travel and parking: we encourage you to use sustainable transport options where possible. 
• Mainline train and bus services are nearby. 
• Parking at Crescent Road Car Park and disabled parking outside on Civic Way. Full details will be shared with attendees by email before the event.

If affordability is a barrier, please contact us - we never want cost to prevent participation.

Welcome

Everyone is welcome.

If there’s anything we can do to support your access, participation or comfort on the day, please tell us when booking or contact us directly - we’re happy to make adjustments wherever we can.

Lunch will include a range of dietary options, and we aim to cater for all requirements. Please share any needs when booking.

Who should attend?

• Certified B Corps
• Businesses working toward certification
• Purpose-led organisations and not-for-profits
• Anyone curious about the B Corp movement