Kent is an economically diverse county and has close links to London and European markets as well as being only a short distance from enterprising regions including Cambridge and Oxford.

Home to more than 45,000 businesses including larger organisations such as Pfizer, BAE Systems, Abbott Laboratories, Mylan, Novartis and Aesica.

The county has vibrant clusters of businesses involved in health, life sciences, education, cleantech and renewables, finance and insurances, ICT, digital and creative industries.

Science, innovation centres, business and industrial parks extend the width of the county with a rigorous plan for expansion and growth in the county’s economic strategy, which is well supported by local government. However, none focus exclusively on the core sectors of health, science and education. This is unique in Kent and forms a key attraction to prospective occupiers of Kent Medical Campus.

With a workforce approaching 900,000 of which 40% are professionals, senior officials, managers and other technical roles, and a steady stream of 14,000 students graduating each year, it is an attractive area for businesses to grow.

Kent offers a rich and diverse lifestyle where property prices are 70% cheaper than London and 15% lower than the rest of the South East. Retail, sports, history and the great outdoors are all represented well with key attractions such as Brands Hatch, Dover and Leeds Castles, Bluewater and Canterbury Cathedral among the many important places of interest.

In the heart of Kent, Maidstone, surrounded by rolling countryside, offers an abundance of green space and an historic river flowing through its centre, a pleasant environment and has been ranked in the top 50 places to live in the UK. Its surrounding countryside and villages are steeped in history with many historic buildings and walks on offer.

With a population approaching 165,000 the town is fully prepared for growth and is on course to build over 18,000 homes in the current plan period by 2031, with a focus on building quality, sustainable communities.

One of the top five retail and leisure locations in the South East, with two large shopping centres it is also within easy reach of Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, Bluewater, Lakeside and the Ashford Designer Outlet, with London being only an hour away by train.

Culturally the town offers museums, galleries, an active theatre as well as river and arts festivals. Sporting facilities are excellent including a wide range of gyms, football, rugby, cricket, golf, tennis and squash centres.

Thanks to high-speed trains operated by Southeastern, Maidstone West connects to St Pancras International in London in just an hour.

Europe can be reached via Eurostar from the international rail stations at Ebbsfleet and Ashford, as well as via Eurotunnel and Port of Dover.