Three New Non-Executive Directors

We Are Medway CIC – Medway Champions is pleased to announce the appointment of three new Non-Executive Directors to The Medway Place Board. These new additions, each a leader in their respective fields, will bring a wealth of experience, insight, and passion to the board, furthering the mission of promoting Medway as an outstanding place to live, work, learn and visit.

The newly appointed Non-Executive Directors are:

Gian Chahal

Gian Chahal, a franchisee of McDonald’s, operates five restaurants within Medway, employing 600 local residents. Gian is deeply committed to the well-being of his staff, many of whom have been with his business for over a decade. As an active participant in various local organisations, including the Chatham Town Centre Forum and Safer Medway Partnership, Gian has been a Medway Champion since its inception, staying closely connected to developments in the community.

Carol Stewart

Carol Stewart is the Chair of both the Medway African and Caribbean Association and Creative Medway. A trained and qualified social worker, Carol has dedicated her life to helping others and is the Director of her own company, Chinara Enterprises, which has led numerous national and regional projects in the health and social care sectors. Carol is a regular media contributor, appearing on ITV Meridian, BBC South East Today, BBC Radio Kent, and KMTV. A proud ambassador for the Chatham Historic Dockyard, Carol was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate in the Arts by the University of Kent.

Richard Farrer

Richard Farrer is the Chief Executive of the Chatham Maritime Trust, a not-for-profit organisation and charity managing the 350-acre Chatham Maritime Estate. With over 35 years of experience as a chartered surveyor in the UK and internationally, Richard oversees an estate that includes universities, a water sports centre, a marina, shops, restaurants, offices, and approximately 5,000 residents on St Mary’s Island. Richard is committed to developing Chatham Maritime as a vibrant Medway destination, working collaboratively with organisations to achieve this goal.

All three appointees share a deep commitment to Medway and are dedicated to supporting the board’s placemaking initiatives. Their combined efforts will help further Medway’s reputation as a dynamic, aspirational and thriving community.

Simon Cook, Chair of The Medway Place Board, expresses his enthusiasm about the appointments, stating, “We are thrilled and delighted to welcome Carol, Richard and Gian to our board. Their diverse expertise will be invaluable in expanding our Medway Champions network and supporting our ongoing efforts to foster pride in our community.”

About We Are Medway CIC – Medway Champions

We Are Medway is a community interest company dedicated to promoting Medway as a great place to live, work, learn, and visit. The Medway Champions network brings together local leaders, organisations, businesses, and residents to celebrate and advance the community’s unique identity and strengths.

Our vision is to be recognised as the partnership that champions, supports, understands, and enables organisations to come together to instill pride and articulate the ambition in our Place of Medway. The outcome for the delivery of our strategy is that year on year, we help our community engage with our many partners. We work hard to develop a distinctive Medway ‘experience’ by influencing communities, organisations and businesses alike to support our unique sense of civic pride in our place.

If you are an organisation or individual who would like to become a Medway Champion please join us here >> Become a Medway Champion