The KM Group's award-winning business editor Trevor Sturgess is to retire after 26 years with the company.

Trevor, who will be remaining with the firm in an associate editor role, has worked on some of the biggest stories in Kent, including the opening of the Channel Tunnel and the UK's first high speed rail line between Kent and London St Pancras.

He joined the KM Group in 1987, two weeks before the Great Storm, initially working in the Gravesend and Dartford office.

He set up the business desk in the early 1990s, based at the Evening Post offices in High Street, Chatham.

In 1993 he moved to KM Group's Larkfield HQ, where he co-founded with Brian Paine the
monthly Kent Business, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in March this year.

Before joining the KM Group Trevor, 66, had been a journalist in the Middle East where he reported on sport, diplomatic and environmental issues. He also interviewed sporting legends like Pele, Kevin Keegan and Lester Piggott.

Trevor said his business hero was Sir Alastair Morton, the chief executive of Eurotunnel who died in 2004.

He said Sir Alastair's determination in the face of opposition from then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was inspirational.

Trevor is a school governor and a member of Kent Business School advisory board. He has raised thousands of pounds for charity by taking part in the annual London to Brighton Bike Ride for the past 10 years.

He said he felt the time was right to begin to wind down, but was glad to be remaining with the KM Group as associate business editor.

Trevor has won numerous awards, including the 1992 BT Southern Business Journalist of the Year and Kent Journalist of the Year at the 1994 Shepherd Neame awards.

In January this year he was recognised for his outstanding contribution to journalism at the Shepherd Neame awards.

He has judged various business awards, including those for Young Enterprise,
The Prince’s Trust and Young Dragons. In June last year he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent.

Trevor is a keen sportsman, continues to play league table tennis and was a Games Maker at the Paralympic table tennis event.

He has also worked for the Ministry of Defence (Navy) and HM Customs and Excise. He is
a school governor and a member of Kent Business School advisory board.

Trevor and his wife Sue have lived in Kent for 26 years and have a 19-year
old daughter at university.

He said: "I am glad to be retiring at a time when Kent is in great shape and poised for further growth in the future."

KM Group editorial director Ian Carter said: "Trevor will be a very hard act to follow - he is a hugely important figure in the business community. I'm delighted he will be staying with us an associate editor, and will continue to contribute to Kent Business and represent us at various events."