The Kent branch of the Institute of Directors has appointed a raft of ambassadors to its team in the county following the appointment of Nigel Earnshaw as its new local chairman.

The five new ambassadors are leading figures from the county’s business community, who will each head up a specific sector.

IoD ambassadors aim to enhance relations with members and ensure local concerns are reflected in its national policy.

Patricia Lewis, professor of management at Kent Business School, has been appointed as skills and education ambassador; Ross Bartlett, sales director of Ashford-based VJ Technology, joins as construction ambassador; Maria Coulson, MD of the Ricorda Consultancy becomes diversity and inclusion ambassador; while Navid Mehr joins as marketing ambassador.

The new recruits are rounded off with Dr Richard Smith, a chartered director, who becomes membership ambassador.

Nigel Earnshaw, branch chair of IoD Kent, said: “We are building an excellent team in Kent, and we have further ambassador appointments to announce imminently.

“The IoD will play a key role in equipping directors with the connections and skills they need as we emerge from the pandemic. We will also continue to ensure that the voice of Kent directors is represented within the IoD’s influential lobbying voice.”

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