Ashford has appointed a new Town Team manager to help revitalise the town centre.

Jo Wynn-Carter, below, started her new role on Monday and will support the Town Team that was established as a result of Ashford’s successful Portas Pilot bid.

Jo said: “I am very much looking forward to this new role leading support the Town Team, with Ashford Borough Council (ABC).

“The Town Team’s aim is to establish a new focus for Ashford town centre, and it is my job to support them and the local business community, which will also put me in touch with community groups and local residents. Ultimately, we will be delivering exciting projects to increase footfall, and establish a unique Ashford experience for all who visit.”

Ashford was awarded Portas Pilot Status in July 2012, winning £100,000 of government funding and support from national High Street experts.

All winning towns were tasked with setting up a Town Team to devise and deliver projects to boost the town centre economy, and ABC choose to commit further funding to recruit a full time town team manager to support the process.

Jo has lived in Benenden, Kent for the past three years, having previously lived in London. She has extensive knowledge of the retail sector, having working for major high street retailers both at store and head office level.

Jo started her career with the Storehouse group as part of their management programme. She later worked for Sears womenswear, and was retail operations manager for Austin Reed Group for more than seven years.

Most recently, Jo ran her own lifestyle boutique in Greenwich and was an active participant in the local business community.

Lead ABC member for economic development, Cllr Graham Galpin said: “In Jo, we have someone who understands both the Ashford and wider Kent retail market, but also has considerable high level experience of working in and managing businesses in the capital.

"She has very strong communication skills, and understands the challenges facing major retailers and small independent firms."