Business strategy specialist Daphne Milner has been appointed chief executive of Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire, with effect from May 1.

With a career spent closely involved in the development of local businesses, and with particularly strong skills in developing business partnerships, Daphne will be driving Business Link forward in its aim of doubling its client base over the next three years.

As general manager of Wiltshire and Swindon Training and Enterprise Council between 1998 and 2001, she was instrumental in bringing together the then three Business Links in Wiltshire, to deliver one quality, integrated business support organisation, serving local companies.

She has also run her own consultancy partnership giving her first-hand experience of managing a small enterprise.

Over the last year, she was closely involved in the development of the current Business Link strategy, and organisational structure, to operate the Small Business Service.

Daphne is also non-executive chair of Connexions for Wiltshire and Swindon an organisation which provides support services for young people during their transition to adult life.