Prominent Tasmanian businessman and former Glamorgan Spring Bay mayor Michael Kent has died.
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Aged in his late 70s, Mr Kent was a prominent figure in the state with ties to many businesses.
Mr Kent was well-known for being the head of supermarket chain Purity, and later the chief executive of Woolworths in Tasmania.
He grew up at a corner store in South Hobart. He moved to Victoria to become a Christian Brother, but soon returned to Tasmania and began working at Nestle.
After stints elsewhere, such as working in insurance and with the state government, Mr Kent began work as a shelf stacker at supermarket chain Purity.
He rose through the ranks to become the head of the chain.
Purity was acquired by Woolworths, and Mr Kent remained on, becoming head of Woolworths in Tasmania for two decades.
Mr Kent owned a restaurant at Orford, and a tourism venture at Triabunna.
He was a candidate for the Jacqui Lambie Network in Lyons in the 2018 state election. He was also a former TCCI chairman.
In 2014, Mr Kent defeated Bertrand Cadart to become mayor of the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council.
Mr Kent remained as mayor until October 2018, where he lost the position to mayor Debbie Wisby.
However, he was re-elected as a councillor.
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