THE Institute for Independent Business has appointed a new accredited executive associate to its southern central team.

Derek Keen will be based in the Amesbury area and work within a 50-mile radius of the town. He will work with small and medium sized enterprises to ensure that their business plans have every chance of being successful.

Mr Keen is a senior professional business mentor with more than 25 years' business management experience.

After leaving the British security service in 1979 he worked for several global organisations in senior vice-president or director roles before moving to Wiltshire to start working in the SME sector.

In addition to his general management knowledge he is used to working in the private and public sectors where, he says, understanding a company's culture plays a major factor in the success of the programme.

The institute is dedicated to representing the interests of small and medium sized companies. IIB accredited associates are experienced senior-level business executives whose range of expertise covers every imaginable discipline.

They provide low-cost consultancy and support to all businesses that are accepted onto a grant-aided business support scheme.