EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, has appointed a former senior RAF officer and manufacturing executive as its Region Director covering the south east.

Steve Chicken, who is an experienced international business leader, will be co-located at EEF’s offices in Cambridge and Hook (Hampshire) and will be heading up the support provided by the organisation to its member companies. He replaces David Seall, who recently left to pursue other interests.

“The south east is home to the largest number of manufacturing companies in the country and as such plays a key role in the economic prosperity of our nation,” says Dr Chicken. “At EEF, we aim to ensure that the voice of industry is heard, so that we create a climate within with manufacturing can flourish as we move towards the stated aim of developing a more balanced economy.”

Dr Chicken, who lives with his family in Ipswich, Suffolk, holds a Phd in Aerospace Vehicle Design from Cranfield University. He joins EEF with a proven business track-record, having enjoyed a successful career in Textron Inc, a $12bn multi-industry enterprise, where he fulfilled international leadership roles within engineering, manufacturing and services businesses.

He added: “I am a passionate advocate of manufacturing, engineering and technology and I very much look forward to working on behalf of EEF members in the south east to optimise the opportunities for growth.”

EEF exists for the benefit of its members, providing support in HR and employment law, health safety and environment, information and research and business improvement.

It is estimated that across the EEF South East region, which includes London, the South and the East of England, there are 45,000 manufacturers employing 687,000 people and contributing £44bn to the economy.