The Kent team of the Institute of Directors has boosted its team further with four more ambassadors.

The additional appointments follow the initial batch announced earlier this month by new local chairman Nigel Earnshaw.

Each of the ambassadors will head up a specific sector within the business organisation, helping ensure the views of members are heard.

Norman Blissett has been appointed chartered director ambassador. He is managing director of Gallanach, a consultancy firm specialising in leadership development and people management as well as the chair of the board of Gravesend's Cyclopark.

Martin Prentice has been appointed an ambassador and IoD Kent branch secretary. He has over 40 years’ experience with Lloyds Banking Group and is a business advisory board member of the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership.

William English takes on the role of ambassador for policy and corporate governance. A Chartered Director and Fellow of the IoD, William has had a 36-year career serving across four continents in the Armed Forces. He is also the owner of his multi-generational family business and estate in mid-Kent.

Paul Knights is company director at Produce Plus, a produce distribution and marketing company, and has been made agriculture/rural ambassador.

Nigel Earnshaw, branch chair of IoD Kent, said: “These four appointments take our team of ambassadors to 9, covering a broad spectrum of industries relevant to our membership.

“The IoD is committed to supporting directors with the connections and skills they need to rebuild and recover from the pandemic. We will also continue to ensure that the voice of Kent directors is represented within the IoD’s influential lobbying voice.”

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