A FORMER national president of a professional women's group will formally appoint a new leader for its Gravesham branch.

The Gravesend and District Soroptimist group has chosen Farida Usman as the club's new president for 2006/07.

Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation for women in professions and management.

It runs a number of projects aiming to enhance human rights and the status of women.

Former national federation president Janet Garnons-Williams will formally appoint the new president at Christ Church Hall, Old Road East, Gravesend, on April 4.

She will be presented with a cheque for £2,600 for Soroptimist charitites by the Gravesend group.