downsmail.co.uk Nomination for
entrepreneur FORMER Maidstone Grammar stu- dent Keith Mabbutt (pictured) has been named in the top 100 of Britain’s most suc- cessful business professionals.
A panel of ex- perts from the Cen- tre for Entrepreneurs agreed the 36-year- old, from Harriet-
sham, should feature in this year’s industry-nominated Maserati 100 index for his role in assisting the next generation of business talent. Keith said: “It is fundamental for young people to have an enterpris- ing attitude and I have a genuine en- thusiasm for helping young people realise their potential.” His first venture was a graduate recruitment company in Maidstone, which he sold before launching a na- tional job board for university stu- dents. He has created a TV business-pitch contest for university students called The Grad Factor, and a social venture with West Ham United for homeless youngsters. His latest venture is a finance and funding academy for business own- ers that will run from The Business Terrace in Maidstone. For details call 01865 261 480.
News
Teenager Ben leading way for young talent
BRITAIN’S next Richard Branson is busy building up his empire from an office at Maidstone’s Busi- ness Terrace. The Virgin mogul has described
BenTowers as “one of the UK’s most exciting young entrepreneurs”. Ben, who is still only 17, set up his
first business at the age of 11, de- signingwebsites from home. He is now an award-winning en- trepreneur, with three companies and a six-figure turnover. As most of Ben’s early work was carried out online, nobody had any idea of his age and he was offered his first public speaking engagement – at ExCel in front of 3,000 people – aged only 15. Today, he is an ambassador for
Young Start-UpTalent (YST)awards and for the National Entrepreneur- ship Challenge, a scheme set up to teach and inspire enterprise in young people in schools. He also works alongside the Fed- eration of Small Businesses to inspire young people. Ben’s digital media and web de-
zine’s Superteen Power List. He has also shot up the Richtopia
British Entrepreneurs Top 100, to be placed at number 34, along with ty- coons Richard Branson and Lord Alan Sugar. Hehas more than 63,000 followers
on Twitter and regularly appears on television. Ben still lives athomewith his par-
Entrepreneur Ben Towers
sign agency, Towers Design, em- ploys 15 people and has more than 700 customers. He is also behind the social media management company Social Mar- ley and he is working on a third company, NGBT, a social media management platform. He was tempted to the county
town by the attractive office rents available at the Business Terrace, which is in the Maidstone Gateway, King Street. In December, Ben was named number one on The Times Maga-
ents in Gillingham, but is hoping to buy a house in Maidstone. He is busy campaigning for busi-
ness bank accounts to bemadeavail- able for youngsters under the age of 18 and trying to influence the pay- ment gateways and merchant ac- counts, which also restrict the ability of U18s to be in business. He said: “I want to be sure that if
there are budding young entrepre- neurs out there that they aren’t held back by their age. “I hope I can provide valuable support, things which I wished I had known when Iwas starting out.” For more about Ben read our feaure in Mid Kent Living maga- zine at
www.downsmail.co.uk.
Willington Homes
e:
willingtonhomes@hotmail.com t: 07971720242
Willington Homes – specialists in subdivide partnerships
Do you have a large garden that may lend itself to subdivide? Maybe you are thinking of selling up and would love to maximise your return?
Maybe you’d like to stay in your home but reduce the size of your garden and create a nest egg for you and your family?
We at Willington Homes understand this is a big decision and have undertaken partnerships with local people, like you, to help them minimise the risk and maximise their return.
How does it work? Step 1 – We evaluate the potential of subdividing your garden Step 2 – We provide some build options for your consideration Step 3 – You seek independent advice on the value of the proposed build options Step 4 – We agree a land purchase price, based on achieving planning permission Step 5 – If we beat the upper valuation at sale we share the benefits
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To find out more, please call us on 07971720242 or email us at
willingtonhomes@hotmail.com Maidstone East April 2016
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