TWO new directors have taken their seats on the board of Business Link Kent.

Jeff Gibson, Operations Director, and Linda MacLeod, Enterprise Development Director, both have extensive UK and international commercial experience.

Linda worked for BP for 13 years, in human resources, communications and corporate social responsibility roles, before becoming a freelance consultant building demand-driven community and enterprise projects in Africa, Asia, the US and Europe.

Jeff was Client Services Director for Business Link for London, which grew out of the merger of nine smaller Business Links three years ago.

Before joining Business Link Jeff spent 10 years supporting the growth of small and medium sized businesses– including running a European research and consultancy business. He has also held a number of marketing and management positions in the oil, dairy and instrumentation sectors.

Claire Coday, Chief Executive of Business Link Kent, said: "Jeff and Linda bring valuable new expertise to the company which will help us continue to improve the services we offer to businesses in Kent and Medway."

The new appointments coincide with Customer Advisory Service Director Peter Kitching stepping down from the Board after more than nine years with Business Link Kent, although he will still be working with Business Link Kent on a part-time basis.