Manufacturing champion Jim Davison aims to fix it for industry and jobs across Kent, Medway and the South East.

As the region's new director at the Engineering Employers Federation (EEF), he is promoting the interests of some 45,000 manufacturers employing 687,000 people and contributing £44bn to the economy.

These firms are seen as the job creators that will compensate for job losses across the public sector. The EEF expects industry to out-perform the rest of business over the next 12 months.

Mr Davison is responsible for member services but will also represent the needs of industry to policy-makers, with the aim of helping to shape a business environment that creates a more balanced economy. "Manufacturing in the South East has a key role to play in delivering economic prosperity and jobs," says Mr Davison.

"This region is home to the largest number of manufacturing companies in the country and as such it is vital that the voice of industry is heard at all levels of government, particularly as we focus on creating a sustainable recovery during 2011."

Keith's Far East challenge

Award-winning global retail activation company RTC has appointed Keith Fleet, the current operations director of RTC (Europe) in Sittingbourne, to the position of general manager RTC (Asia). The appointment gives Fleet responsibility for the entire Asia side of the business, which is headquartered in Shanghai and employs 30 people in China and Hong Kong.

RTC (Asia) is a key location for the global parent company, which designs and manufacturers bespoke retail interiors, store-ready shelving and storage units, and offers independent planning and design services as well as shopper research data. The company also ensures the design, layout and quality of major international brands and retailers is delivered consistently worldwide.

"This is a new position, and I'm looking forward to the challenge in the Far East," says Mr Fleet. "My aim is to increase RTC's capabilities and make our offering more robust. We're looking to invest further in the support we give to activating international brands at retail and boost the low-cost manufacturing side."

RTC recently won a global award for a range of point of purchase (POP) display systems created for Siemens' hearing aids. It was presented at the annual World's Best Healthcare Advertising awards ceremonies in New York.