by business editor Trevor Sturgess

More good causes are set to benefit from a new office set up by Lord Lieutenant of Kent Allan Willett just weeks before his retirement.

The philanthropist and former international entrepreneur bows out as the Queen's representative on August 24 when he reaches his 75th birthday.

Mr Willett CMG CVO has established the Willett Family Office to look after his charity work, investments and business affairs.

After retiring, he will work in a private capacity from the office at his home in Chilham.

A committee of experienced individuals will manage his assets and those of other members of the Willett family to ensure maximum help for charities and others.

Mr Willett has a long tradition of helping good causes through the Allan Willett Foundation which he set up in 2004 with £2 million and a pledge that his estate would contribute a further £8m at the time of his death.

The Foundation distributes approximately £300,000 a year. Beneficiaries are people or organisations based in Kent, those promoting the efficiency of the British armed forces, and other deserving causes outside the county.

Mr Willett started his first business in 1962 with £100 of share capital and a loan of £3,500.

It evolved into Willett International which became one of the world's leading electronic coding and labelling companies with operations in 30 countries. He sold it to its main competitor in 2003.

Mr Willett has also contributed significantly to the public sector.

He was founding chairman of both the Industrial Development Board for London and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). He stepped down from SEEDA in 2002.