The largest chamber of commerce in the county has a new chief executive.

Chris Capron has resigned from the Ashford-based Kent Invicta Chamber after long term health problems.

He is succeeded by Jo James.

Mr Capron has been at the helm of the chamber for the past nine years and has successfully guided it through expansion, building it from the Ashford chamber to become Kent Invicta, which now covers Ashford, Canterbury, Maidstone and West Kent.

As the largest chamber in the county, and one of the largest in the south east, Kent Invicta now has an active membership of 1,200 businesses.

Chairman Graham Galpin said: “Chris has placed the chamber in an enviable position and one of great strength.”

“I am delighted to announce that Jo has accepted the full-time position of chief executive.

“Having worked for the chamber since 1989, she has been involved in all aspects of the chamber’s activities and has been at the forefront of many of its developments and achievements.”

Mrs James said she was thrilled and proud to take on the role and would continue to work for the benefit of the members and the business community as a whole.

She said: “Naturally I hope to inject into the position my own philosophies, and there are likely to be some changes because of that.

“I see my role very much as a guide, helping the board and the staff to find the best way to develop the chamber to the best benefit of the members and the community.”