PROMINENT businessman and accountant David Forge is banking on a new role.

The former Kent senior partner and head of audit for KPMG, the international accounting group, is the new chairman of Clydesdale Bank in the county. He succeeds Simon Hume-Kendall, owner of the Hop Farm Country Park.

Mr Forge, 50, has spent more than 30 years advising entrepreneurial companies and large corporates in the South East and overseas.

In 1995, after three years with KPMG in Kuala Lumpur, he joined its Maidstone office with responsibility for the firm’s Owner Managed Business practice. Three years later, he was was appointed senior partner for KPMG in Kent, a position he held until his early retirement last year.

Mr Forge was also a prominent member, including treasurer, of the Institute of Directors in Kent.

In his new role, David will work closely with Paul Saunders and Chris Winning, managing partners at the bank’s financial services centres in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

Adrian Wenn, Clydesdale’s Southern regional director, said: "There can’t be many people in the business community who do not know David either personally or by reputation.

"His years of experience advising businesses of all sizes on the most effective route to success means that he is ideally placed to join our team of business bankers."

Mr Forge added: "Over the past three years Clydesdale Bank has radically changed the banking environment through its approach to working with companies which are ambitious for growth. I have always been a fan of the bank’s recognition of experience and expertise and am delighted to accept my new role."

Mr Wenn paid tribute to the contribution of Mr Hume-Kendall who is to remain an "ambassador" for the bank. He said Mr Hume-Kendall had been an important factor in the success of the bank’s offices in Kent, Sussex and London.

Mr Forge, who lives in Mereworth, is married to Sue and they have two children. He enjoys golf, tennis and travel.