AN INSURANCE company is moving from Folkestone to Kings Hill in the largest commercial property deal completed in Kent in the last 12 months.

Sterling Insurance Group Limited will occupy the whole of 50 Kings Hill Avenue, which provides 50,000 sq ft at the 800-acre business park at West Malling, near Maidstone.

Chairman Nicholas Cooper said: "Our new offices will provide an exciting new working environment for our employees, enable us to meet our customers’ demanding service levels and accommodate the planned future growth in our business."

Fay Rolland, director at Sterling added: "Kings Hill provides the perfect location for us. The whole area is attractive and highly landscaped and the park's proximity to the M20 allows easy access to London, Europe, airports and the rest of the country."

Kings Hill is an established community with over 100 businesses employing some 5,000 people.

Andrew Blevins, managing director of Kings Hill developer Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd expressed his delight at Sterling's move.

He said: "This represents the largest transaction in Kent in the last 12 months."

Sterling operates across a number of different market sectors and offers a range of insurance products, including creditor, personal accident, commercial, household and life assurance.