Tributes to 'inspirational' health chief and Olympian

James Williams, 57, was director of public health in Medway

Tributes have been paid to a Kent health chief who has died following a short illness.

James Williams, Medway Council's Director of Public Health, would be remembered for his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, a council statement said.

Mr Williams, 57, 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.

Council leader Vince Maple described him as "an inspirational leader" who left "an impressive legacy".

Mr Williams, who joined Medway Council in 2017, had transformed the area's approach to public health delivery, the council said.

He was "instrumental" in introducing the south east’s first Covid-19 testing centres in Medway in 2020, which offered targeted testing regardless of symptoms.

Dr Anjan Ghosh, director of public health for Kent County Council, said: "I will always remember him for his larger-than-life presence, his humour and, above all, his humanity and kindness."

British Fencing, where Mr Williams was a board member, confirmed his death on Sunday with "deepest sadness" and described him as a "much respected member of the fencing community".

'Infectious passion'

Three Kent MPs - Dame Tracey Crouch, Rehman Chishti and Kelly Tollhurst - described Mr Williams as the area's "greatest health advocate".

They said in a joint statement: "He championed public health improvements in every shape and form and he reached out privately when we have faced our own heath challenges."

Colleagues on the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) paid tribute to a charismatic leader who brought "infectious passion to every project".

Deputy leader Teresa Murray said he was "an Olympian in all senses".

She said: "James' leadership of Medway's response to Covid-19 was extraordinary and exemplary.

"He will be incredibly missed."

Mark Norman, BBC South East Health Correspondent, said: "As a health journalist you need to have experts you can speak to both on and off the record, and James was great at that.

"During the difficult days of lockdown and rising numbers of people infected with the virus he always answered the phone.

"He was always available for advice, but even more importantly he was always prepared to answer the tough questions."

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