KENT and Medway is the place to invest rather than up North, that’s the verdict of Locate in Kent’s newest knight at the helm.

Retired accountant Sir Brandon Gough has taken over from Sir Graeme Odgers as the agency’s chairman.

In his first speech in the hot seat, the former chairman of Coopers and Lybrand and Yorkshire Water, said the county had a terrific range of assets.

"Great location between the UK and the rest of Europe, better value than the North, and a great place to live," he said.

He pledged that Locate in Kent would continue to do a great job for our citizens.

Sir Brandon, from Sevenoaks, was speaking at the Locate in Kent annual reception, held this year in the Orangery, Turkey Mill, Maidstone.

LiK secured 2,113 jobs last year, safeguarded nearly 1,500 jobs and generated investment estimated at £90 million. It has 260 projects in the pipeline.

It was an emotional occasion as Sir Graeme handed over to Sir Brandon after eight years in the job.

Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council, LiK’s main funder, paid tribute to Sir Graeme. "You go out with an enormous track record," he said.