MICHAEL PEAD, a leading force behind Kent’s chamber of commerce movement since the 1980s, has retired.

He was driving force behind the old Dartford Chamber of Commerce, managing director of the newer Kent Thameside Chamber, and, more recently, joint managing director of larger North Kent Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Pead, a 65-year-old father of two with one grandchild, has played a key role in the huge economic developments in Kent Thameside since he became Dartford Chamber MD in 1988.

He worked closely with Dartford council as the chamber became its arm of economic development, especially when it was based in The Manor Gatehouse.

He hosted numerous business events, many with leading speakers such as Michael Portillo and Sir Henry Cooper.

He said: "I've really enjoyed it. We've played a part in Kent's development process. Kent Thameside has been a major development and I think we've managed to bring the business community alongside developments such as Bluewater and Ebbsfleet.

"I'm going out at a time when there's so much major change and I'm glad somebody else is going to take a fresh look at it with younger eyes.”

Arriving 16 years ago as managing director to re-vitalise what was the Dartford Chamber of Commerce, then run as a part-time operation, Michael Pead had no idea of the unique challenge ahead.

Brought in from a background of economic development in the City and international banking, Mr Pead said: "I don't think any Chamber anywhere has had such an exceptional time of development and it wasn't envisaged when I took on the role.

"When I came it was called the Dartford Chamber of Commerce, then the Kent-Thameside until 18 months ago when it amalgamated with the Medway Chamber to become the North Kent Chamber.

"The Chamber has grown out of all recognition to embrace business at local, national and international levels.

"Many of our businesses are small to medium companies - solicitors, IT, transport, service industries and so on right up to global names such as GlaxoSmithKline, the pharmaceutical manufacturers."

His main regret is that Gravesham Chamber of Commerce could not be persuaded to join the larger area chamber.

But he was astute enough not to take Dartford Chamber into membership of the former Kent Chamber of Commerce. This went bust in the late 1990s, taking considerable assets from some of its member chambers with it.

In retirement Mr Pead and his wife Jenny hope to enjoy more time in the garden of their Otford home, travelling and spending time with their grandchildren.

Tracey Manley takes over as managing director of the North Kent Chamber, which has offices in the Rose Gallery, Bluewater, Sunderland Quay, Medway City Estate and Sittingbourne.