KENT and Medway Strategic Health Authority have appointed two new directors to their board.

David Griffiths of Sevenoaks and Robert Atwood of Langton Green, near Tunbridge Wells, are both are chartered accountants and have joined the authority as non-exclusive directors.

Mr Griffiths, 50, a father of four, is also a trustee of a charity for the blind and is a governor of Sevenoaks School. He is a retired management consultant and is looking forward to his involvement on the board.

He said: "I recognise there are major challenges in providing a high quality healthcare service in this country in an affordable way.

As my working life has involved helping organisations solve complex problems, I hope to be able to contribute something valuable."

Mr Atwood, 61, is a former chairman of Mid Kent Water. He has served on various committees including a residents' association and a political association. He stood as a parish councillor and is currently a governor of a local preparatory school.

He said: "I have had a wide all-round background which has given me exposure to many different industries and walks of life and I am looking forward to being part of the NHS at this important stage of its development."

Both men will spend two or three days a month on NHS business.