A not-for-profit business organisation has appointed a new chief executive.

John Williams will step up to the role at the Ashford-based Agile Business Consortium, taking over from Mary Henson who stepped down last month after 18 years in the role.

The organisation aims to assist businesses to be more agile in their responses to opportunities and threats,

Mr Williams is a senior business leader and experienced director with a background in the public, private and third sectors, working with and for organisations around the world.

A Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and a Fellow of the Institute of Commercial Managers, his 40-year career has included stockbroking, inward investment promotion, international business, banking and higher education.

He has lived or worked in the Far East, Middle East, North America and Europe as well as the UK, and has owned his own companies in the UK and Hong Kong.

He said: “The Agile Business Consortium is a major partner in the global Agile community, reaching out with ideas and solutions, connecting and sharing across continents and sectors, and making available the Agile solutions that support business growth, and continued economic and social progress.

“Business agility is a philosophy, not a fad, and the consortium will help businesses be nimble, swift and creative in response to the uncertain world we live in.”