Tributes paid to Kent health chief
Medway Council says James Williams would be remembered for his leadership
Medway Council has announced James Williams, the Director of Public Health, has died following a short illness.
The authority says the Kent health chief would be remembered for his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 57-year-old joined Medway Council in 2017.
The council say in the past seven years he "transformed the council’s approach to public health delivery."
Council leader Vince Maple described him as "an inspirational leader" who left "an impressive legacy".
Kent County Council’s Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, said: "James was a towering leader, an incredible Director of Public Health, a beloved colleague and a dear friend to me.
"This is such a terrible loss to Medway Council and the Kent and Medway Public Health system of which he was such an integral and important part.
"I will always remember him for his larger-than-life presence, his humour, and above all his humanity and kindness."
James Williams also represented Great Britain in fencing at three Olympic games - in Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney - after taking up the sport during his 10 years of military service.
He was the official commentator and presenter for fencing at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
"James will be incredibly missed"
Cllr Teresa Murray, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Public Health, said:
“James was very much an Olympian in all senses of the word.
"His passion for focussing on building resilience within communities and his focus on intervention at an early stage to prevent the development of poor health has meant that the people of Medway are leading better, healthier lives as a result of his hard work.
"We are also very proud of the role James played in shaping the transformation of the NHS services within Kent and Medway and in the wider public health agenda across the south east region.
"James will be incredibly missed.”
Three Kent MPs - Dame Tracey Crouch, Rehman Chishti and Kelly Tollhurst - all paid tribute to Mr Williams.