The boss of the UK’s oldest brewer is to become chairman of tourism agency Visit Kent at the end of next year.

Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame, who has run the Faversham-based beer maker since 2003, will take over from Amanda Cottrell when she steps down after seven years in the post.

Mr Neame is a founder investor in Visit Kent, which promotes the county’s £3.2bn tourism industry and supports more than 64,000 jobs by raising the area’s profile in the UK and overseas.

He is also chair of the British Beer and Pub Association and a leader in highlighting the contribution of the sector to the economy.

He is also a non-executive director of St Austell Brewery in Cornwall, a trustee of the Leeds Castle Foundation and a member of the Tourism Industry Council, which lobbies government on tourism industry issues.

Mrs Cottrell, who was made an OBE in 2011, will continue as a patron for Visit Kent.

Mr Neame, 50, said: “I am looking forward to taking on the role of Chairman of Visit Kent enormously.

“I believe that tourism is one of the key engines for growth for Kent and Visit Kent’s track record is there for all to see.

“I am honoured to be following such an energetic and effective chairman as Amanda Cottrell.

“Amanda’s passion for the county and her many other interests have added greatly to the success of Visit Kent and she will be a hard act to follow.”

Mrs Cottrell is a former High Sheriff of Kent and was a magistrate for 23 years.

Among many accolades, she holds an honorary fellowship of Canterbury Christchurch University and an honorary doctorate of civil law from the University of Kent. She also won the KEiBA Outstanding Contribution to Business award in 2012.

Widowed in 1996, she has four children and 10 grandchildren and lives in Challock, near Ashford.

She said: “I am delighted that Jonathan has agreed to become chairman of Visit Kent.

“Over my seven years as chairman, we have seen tourism in Kent exceed all of our targets and expectations.

“The strong and effective partnership we have built has seen Visit Kent being nationally recognised as one of the country’s leading destination management organisations.

“This recognition should be shared by all those who work alongside us to make Kent a wonderful place to visit.

“This is an exciting platform for our new chairman to build on and I know that his expertise will ensure that Visit Kent goes from strength to strength.

“I am also too interested in tourism in Kent to disappear completely so I am delighted the board has asked me to continue to serve as patron.”