MAIDSTONE Chamber of Commerce has appointed a new chairman after almost doubling its membership in the last year to become the fastest growing chamber in the UK. The increased workload has led to a division of roles at the top. Alan Reading - previously president and chairman, has handed over the chairmanship to former Kent Messenger Group marketing director, Bryan Godwin.

Mr Godwin retired from the KM Group in September, 2000, but still works as a consultant on special events. "It's the first time I've held a role in the chamber but I have previously held various chairs - with the Newspaper Society and the South East Publicity Club, to mention just two," he said.

"I will be assisting the chief executive, Bill Alder, as much as I can and helping to expand the chamber even further. He has already made such a terrific start. Alan has been chairman and president for a number of years and since Bill joined as chief executive 18 months ago, he's embarked on a new members' recruitment campaign.

"He's achieved a figure of more than 200 new members in the last 12 months. It's incredible. We need sufficient members to have a voice, so that when we are speaking to Maidstone Borough Council, KCC or other bodies, that voice is listened to and respected. We need to continue the chamber's growth to represent a large proportion of Maidstone businesses."

According to Mr Godwin, Maidstone is entering an exciting phase with the planned riverside development, Fremlins shopping mall and proposed new infrastructure. "When you think of the changes that are being made along the riverside and the debate about improvements, the chamber should play a part in those discussions," he said. "We all need a vision of what Maidstone is going to look like and be like in 10 years time. But unless we get together and design it and plan it properly Maidstone in 10 years time may not be a better place."

He cautions against piecemeal development, urging planners to look at the bigger picture. Married to Anita, and with two grown up children, Nicola 31, and Andrew 28, Mr Godwin moved to Cranbrook from Surrey in 1974. Before joining the KM Group, he was a field sales manager for the Sunday Express. For 10 years, he was treasurer of the scout group in Cranbrook and he has served on St Dunstan's Parochial Church Council.