A creative marketing agency has appointed the joint-managing director of a Kent-based car retailer as its new chairman.

Shaun Barrett, who runs Canterbury-based Barretts car dealership with his cousin Paul, has taken over the job at the Wow Factory in Charing.

He joins the business at a time of growth for the agency, which looks after clients like Britelite Windows, Checkmate Group, the Salutation at Sandwich, Hythe Imperial Hotel, Westerhall Rums and celebrity chef Richard Phillips.

The Wow Factory managing director Simon Clubley said: “We’re delighted that Shaun has become our chairman, and he brings with him the type of business knowledge which will help us in our next stage of growth and development.”

Mr Barrett takes over from PR guru Richard Harvey, who has been chairman for six years.