Linda Garcia has been named the new South East regional policy lead for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) - taking over the reins from Deborah Turner.

The businesswoman, who is founder and director of Alluxi Consulting, based in Wye, near Ashford, will bring her global productivity expertise to the business organisation which champions the SME (small and medium enterprise) sector.

Deborah Turner - a familiar face in the county's business arena - has been elevated to the role of FSB national policy champion for women.

Linda Garcia said: "Being on the front line of small business I’m in touch with the day-to-day trials and tribulations SME owners face juggling the impact of local issues as well as the wider economic factors affecting their business success. I’ll be pleased to contribute to this voluntary role with the FSB, bringing these issues to the table of policy makers at government level."

Tim Aker, development manager for the Kent and Medway FSB, added: "We are delighted that Linda is our new policy lead. We thank Deborah Turner for her extraordinary service and support for FSB members in the South East as their policy representative. Linda’s appointment will complement the great work Deborah did for us in the role. She will champion our SMEs and take the views of Kent and South East businesses to the very top of the FSB."