BUSINESSES have been rebuked for staying away from a high-powered regeneration conference.

A leading accountant said they should "get out of their boxes" and get involved if they want to be heard in the community.

Sir Brandon Gough, a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent who lives in the Weald at Sevenoaks, made his stern remarks at the first ever conference held by the West Kent Partnership.

He said businesses should get behind the group that seeks to unite all sectors in a campaign to improve the area.

Sir Brandon is best know in the City as a former chairman or board member of several top companies, including Warburgs, Yorkshire Water, Lloyds of London and Coopers and Lybrand.

He told delegates that he believed in the newly formed partnership's objectives.

West Kent had to attract more people - and more high value jobs - increase housing and tackle house prices.

But he warned: "Business has a rather naive view of what can be achieved in the public sector.

"Yet business has to get involved if it wants its voice to be heard. Companies need a lot of persuading to get out of their box."

He told the delegates: "You have to attract the national businesses that are active in our area to get involved.

"They often have the resources to be successful lobbyists."

Businesswoman Rosie Serpis, of AXA PP Healthcare based in Tunbridge Wells, said: "I am perhaps the only person here form business, which is perhaps a sad indictment."

Sir Brandon went on to talk about education, saying that an essential part of his vision was the creation of a local university.

Youngsters seeking higher education left the area and seldom returned, working close to their universities. Yet improving skills was essential to attract businesses.

"Creating skills is not a panacea for a labour problem, it is a way of answering it," he said.

West Kent College was excellent, but businesses needed to be attracted by the potential of a local university. They could unlock finances that would not come from other places.

Kent County Council deputy leader Sarah Hohler said the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church College were both expanding.

Rachel Ellis-Jones, vice principal of Hadlow College, said it was vital to the West Kent community.

Cllr Alex King, the regeneration Cabinet member at KCC, urged the partnership to set high sights.

"Think outside the box, then QWest Kent won't need regeneration," he said.