C4B – The voice for business in Canterbury, Herne Bay & Whitstable
C4B News
Published: 31-08-2010
Enterprise Education
The Enterprise in Education Partnership & Cats College Canterbury would like to invite you to support their "Work Related Learning Programme"...
Published: 24-08-2010
Supplier Relationship Management - Picking The Winning Formula!
CIPS and Kent Business School are hosting a joint event
Published: 23-07-2010
London 2012 Business Opportunities
London 2012 Business Opportunities; click below for more details...
Published: 19-05-2010
Low Cost Graduate Internship Scheme
A new Graduate Internship Scheme funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has just been launched...
Published: 17-05-2010
Apprenticeship Grants
Apprenticeship Grants for Employers of apprentices aged 16 to 24
Published: 24-11-2009
Goodbye to Michael
Michael Head, managing director of Crown Products Ltd of Herne Bay, has been involved with C4B since its formation in 2003. As chairman of C4B, he worked closely with Colin Carmichael, chief executive of Canterbury City Council, to establish C4B and further its aims to improve the local economy and benefit the whole community by improving communication and liaison between the local businesses, the city council and Kent County Council.
City centre traffic, education (particularly secondary) and land for business development were some of the initial issues that C4B tackled under Michael's leadership. One of his main contributions was to lobby for the A2 slip roads. His tireless efforts paid off and work is due to begin on the A2/A28 slip road at Wincheap. Another achievement was helping to remove restrictions which then affected local traders who wished to place tables and chairs on the pavement outside their premises. By getting all the relevant authorities and city centre partners together to discuss the issue, C4B successfully resolved the problem, giving a real boost to the city's 'café culture'.
Michael's involvement with the C4B education group led him to become a governor at Canterbury College and to his involvement with the Spires Academy (originally the Montgomery School). He was also involved in the development and launch of the successful 'C4B Guide to Work Experience' for secondary school pupils and employers, which has since become the official KCC guide for the whole county. As C4B chairman, he had a seat on the Local Strategic Partnership, which enabled him to add C4B's support for the high speed train project.
"I have truly enjoyed my seven years with C4B," said Michael. The unbelievable diversity of views and the backgrounds of the various board members all working towards the single goal of improving the local economy is a fantastic 'power for good'. Canterbury is undoubtedly the 'jewel in the crown' of the South East; however, the business community needs to continuously and with great confidence keep 'polishing' the jewel."
Looking ahead, Michael sees two complex issues for C4B: improving literacy and numeracy within primary schools in the district; and lobbying for the development of a reservoir at Broad Oak.
