Championing individuals and small businesses for over 25 years, I believe that offering people the guidance and resources to thrive is a crucial investment in the UK. From helping hundreds of thousands claim hundreds of millions in tax refunds to guiding people with convictions into work, my focus is on supporting those in need. This commitment has seen me counted among the 40 most influential business leaders in Kent, win customer service awards and be repeatedly listed in the Kent MegaGrowth50. I’ve been named Woman of the Year in Construction and Business Woman of the Year, and was thrilled to become a Kent Ambassador, working to promote and improve all aspects of Kent life.I’m a keen supporter of local businesses through the KEiBA scheme, a charity fundraiser and the sponsor of a Saracens rugby player.My family’s estate agency, Hellery and Lane, broke norms with a fixed-price service. The establishment grumbled, but customers got real value for money, making us the most successful local estate agency of our era. When my father died, we sold the business to Mann & Co. Ashford.In the 90s, I formed a company providing virtual accounting, PA, HR, Payroll and tax advice services, plus rented office space for small businesses. I got to know many construction companies working on the Channel Tunnel, whose PAYE and CIS workers weren’t claiming tax relief effectively. I formed RIFT Tax Refunds in 1999 to help them, now serving 125,000+ workers across Construction, the Armed Forces and other sectors. We employ around 200 people and have reclaimed over £320 million in tax refunds with a 96% recommendation rate. Our specialist division, RIFT Research and Development, combines bespoke data capturing and on-site expertise to help firms make the very most of their projects. Working closely with customers, we identify R&D activities, compile technical narratives and build fully supported tax relief claims.In 2018, I founded the not-for-profit RIFT Social Enterprise, working with prisons, trainers and employers to break the cycle of reoffending and help people with convictions find work. In recognition, we won the National Enterprise Network’s Social Impact in Enterprise award and were Highly Commended in the Enterprise Support Organisation of the Year category.I believe that the time is right for change in the Construction Industry. We’re launching JobMatcha to bring workers and employers together through a powerful blend of recruitment tools, helping businesses find workers, manage carbon footprints and even combat Modern Slavery.