Two experienced non-executive directors will join the board of Faversham brewer Shepherd Neame at the start of the new financial year.

Marion Sears, currently a non-exec at Dunelm Group, and Margaret ‘Meg’ Lustman, formerly chief executive of retailer Hobbs, will join the board as of April 1.

They replace Hilary Riva and Kevin Georgel who are both stepping down from their positions.

Marion Sears will become senior independent director and chair of Shepherd Neams’ remuneration committee; a role she most recently held at both WH Smith and Keywords Studios.

Meg Lustman is currently a non-exec and remuneration committee chair of N Brown Group - a digital retailer of clothing and footwear - and kitchenware retailer ProCook Group.

Richard Oldfield, chairman of Shepherd Neame, said: “They each bring significant, and highly relevant experience, of the retail and wider consumer sectors which will be of great benefit to the company. I look forward to working with them.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Hilary and Kevin for their invaluable contribution, support and guidance during their respective tenures with the business.”