A giant of the British gaming industry is set to head up a new group to develop businesses and create jobs in Kent.

Paul Jackson, chief executive of Chatham-based Dovetail Games, will be use his expertise to help increase growth as chairman of the Medway Innovation Board.

His video game developer, formerly known as Railsimulator.com, won the Medway Business Awards last year, prompting a visit from David Cameron.

Mr Jackson, who founded his business in 2009, is a former vice president of EA games Northern Europe division.

He will lead a board made up of Medway businesses including BAE systems, Delphi, Amaro Group, Cura Energy, Fountain Workshop and Universities at Medway.

He said: “I have lived in Medway all my life and the opportunity to both grow my own business here and support the development of other businesses in a collaborative drive with like minded people is one that I feel very proud to lead.”

The board’s first meeting was attended by university academics and higher education representatives, with the aim of helping businesses connect with research and development at the universities.

Mr Jackson added: “We have already set out very clear objectives that all board members are keen to support.

“We want to support innovation-led funding bids, positively influence government thinking and act as ambassadors for Medway’s business innovation agenda.”

Martin Davies, director of research & enterprise at the University of Greenwich, said: “We have formed a group of private, public and academic representatives that want to support a step change in innovation support in Medway.

“The Universities at Medway are key to do this and can help local businesses with growth, employment, funding and research. I’m delighted to be involved.”