A charity which supports people recovering from addictions has appointed a former broadcast and media boss as its new chief executive.

Kenward Trust, which has an alcohol and drugs rehabilitation centre in Yalding, has hired Penny Williams to its top job, replacing David Philpott who will become chairman.

Ms Williams has been the charity's director of marketing, communications and social enterprise for the last two years.

She takes the job at the charity, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, at a time when it faces a "difficult funding environment" according to Mr Philpott.

Originally from Cambridgeshire, she worked in broadcast media before she came to Kent many years ago to help establish Invicta FM, now Heart FM Kent.

She then joined the KM Group and headed up its kmfm radio stations, eventually becoming a director.

She left the company to set up her own marketing and events management company and is also a Kent Ambassador, a Kent Foundation mentor and a member of the East Kent College board.

Her predecessor Mr Philpott takes over the chairman position from Roger Bedford, who is retiring after nearly 23 years with the charity.

Ms Williams said: “My vision for the Kenward Trust is to continue the amazing work that our clinical teams do in transforming lives and creating new futures, and to develop the social enterprise opportunity for all of our residents.

"In the ever challenging fundraising arena we need to look for new opportunities in revenue generation and highlight our strengths and make the most of our potential through commercial operations.

"However we need to continually review what we do and challenge ourselves and our costs to make sure we continue to offer excellent customer service and value for money."