Jonathan Neame, the chief executive of beer maker Shepherd Neame, has been named Kent’s most influential business person in a new list published by Kent Business.

Click here to find out which 40 people have made it onto the first Power List, published by Kent Business

The pub chain boss, whose Faversham-based brewery is the oldest in the UK, was put top of the pile in the Power List, detailing the county’s top 40 commercial leaders.

He is chairman of the Beer and Pub Association and will become chairman of tourism agency Visit Kent before the end of the year.

The Power List – detailed by Kent Business – was put together by an independent panel of judges.

These include Kent County Council leader Paul Carter, Maidstone-based auctioneer Clive Emson and former Saga chairman Sir Roger De Haan, who is behind the Folkestone Triennial.

It also features lesser-known figures driving the county’s economic growth, like Maidstone Studios co-owner Geoff Miles, Canterbury-based property developer Mark Quinn and Kuwaiti investor Dr Abdullah al-Humaidi, who is funding the Paramount resort project near Gravesend.

Click here to find out which 40 people have made it onto the first Power List, published by Kent Business

Business editor Chris Price said: “Putting together the Kent Power List has been really tough but we hope it will give our readers an accurate insight into who makes things tick in the county.

“Our panel of independent judges included entrepreneurs, business leaders and consultants each with decades of experience working in the Kent business jungle.

“There were many difficult conversations – and no doubt there are some big names not on the list – but the judges felt this group of 40 names includes the decision makers who make the biggest impact in the county.”

To be considered, candidates had to own or work for a business or organisation based in Kent.

Religious figures, royalty and Members of Parliament were all excluded to give a clearer picture of who are the county’s most prominent people in the business community.

Let us know what you think about the Power List by commenting below. Get involved on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KentBusiness, join the Kent Business group on LinkedIn and tweet using the hashtag #KentPowerList

To find out who is on the Power List, click here.