A Cookham based businesses have announced that the Prince of Wales has agreed to become the new Patron of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

His Royal Highness will take over from The Duke of Edinburgh, who has served as the Institute’s Patron since 1952 with CIM’s first Royal Patron being King George VI, who was appointed in 1937.

Chris Daly, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Marketing said: “We are absolutely delighted that The Prince of Wales has accepted our invitation to be our Patron.

"There could be no greater accolade for our profession.

“We look forward to working closely with him to support our members and promote the value our profession gives to both business and the wider society.”

Thanking the Duke of Edinburgh for his time as CIM’s Patron, Leigh Hopwood, chair of the Chartered Institute of Marketing said: “It has been a great honour to have The Duke of Edinburgh as our Patron.

“Holding the role for more than six decades he has seen our industry and our organisation through a remarkable period of change.

“We want to thank him for all his support over the past 67 years.”