KENT Messenger Group non-executive director Sir Robert Worcester has been named as one of the most influential Americans in the UK.

Kansas-born Sir Robert was ranked 22nd in a list, compiled by The Telegraph, of the most influential American-born people living in the UK, placing him just behind Oscar-winning Anglophile Gwyneth Paltrow but ahead of TV presenter Lloyd Grossman.

Sir Robert, who lives at Allington Castle in Maidstone, is best known as the founder of the MORI opinion and research register, and is a well-known expert and media commentator on British voting patterns and elections.

He was knighted in 2004 in recognition of his outstanding services to political, social and economic research and for his contribution to government policy and programmes.

The honour was made substantive in 2005 after he took British citizenship.

Sir Robert is chancellor of the University of Kent and a deputy lieutenant of the county.