ALYSON HOWARD, outgoing chairman of Kent’s Institute of Directors, used her farewell speech to urge the Prime Minister to look to the county’s business people for inspiration.

Mrs Howard, an accountant, has been a lively chairman of the flourishing county branch – it has more than 2,000 members – for the past three and a half years.

Before handing over to Frazer Thompson, chief executive of Chapel Down Wines, Tenterden, she said it was up to business to lead by example because the Government did not offer role models.

She singled out professionalism and enterprise as the keys to future prosperity, saying that a highlight of her chairmanship was working with young people and stimulating their interest in enterprise.

She said: "It is important for us to seek and develop and nurture the professionalism and entrepreneurship that is going to be the lifeblood of Kent and the UK economy in future generations."

A good part of that professionalism came from teamwork and UK Plc, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown would do well to look at the county because she was hugely proud of Kent.

But Mrs Howard recognised that not all business people were perfect and singled out the bosses of Farepak, the collapsed Christmas voucher and hamper company, for special criticism.

In a veiled attack on its chairman Sir Clive Thompson, a fellow Kent-based director, Mrs Howard said: "The behaviour of the Farepak directors was inexcusable."

She paid tribute to publicly-funded bodies such as Kent County Council, Business Link and Locate in Kent.

"They show through their endeavour and professionalism how public sector organisations can and should work together to provide a platform for business."

She said her best moments were meeting Martin Johnson, captain of the Rugby World Cup winning England team just days before their triumph in 2003, and an award from our sister paper Kent Business for being the acceptable face of capitalism.

Mr Thompson said Mrs Howard would be greatly missed. "You’ve had a large impact on the Institute of Directors and on Kent."