PAUL Scally, chairman of Gillingham Football Club, and Edwin Boorman, chairman of the Kent Messenger Group, are on an impressive line-up of speakers kicking off next year's Kent Executive Club programme.

The club is visiting Priestfield in the spring to see the new conference facilities and hear from Mr Scally about the economics of running a Division One football club.

Edwin Boorman, chairman of the Kent Messenger Group, will talk about the influence of a family-owned newspaper in the Ashford International Hotel on January 27.

Kent Executive Club is open to business people from Medway and across the county. It provides a forum for businessmen and women and their guests to meet in a social atmosphere to exchange ideas and learn about each other's businesses.

Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, leader of Kent County Council, will speak about Kent and European opportunities at the February meeting on February 10 at the Marriott Tudor Park Hotel, Bearsted.

Other keynote speakers lined up for 2003 include Maureen Tomison, chairman of Politics Europe and euro supporter; and Paul Carter, KCC Cabinet minister for Education Standards and Pupil Services in Kent.

The club will also visit Brogdale Horticultural Trust, Faversham, and host a special evening with Cameo Opera at Skippers Restaurant in Bridge, near Canterbury.

Details about events and membership from club chairman Linda Gemmell on 01622 820271 or at www.lrgemmell@aol.com