THE man who was responsible for bringing Nestl chocolate to the world has joined York solicitors Ware & Kay as business development manager.

Nick Symington, who was director of export for Nestl UK, launching Kit Kat to the furthest corners of the globe, including Patagonia, China and Taiwan, took early retirement in April after it was clear that his next career step would be a Nestl post abroad.

"I specifically wanted to stay in York - my home for the past 30 years.

"What I found appealing about Ware & Kay was that it was an up-and-coming organisation determined to double in size over the next five years and confirm itself as the best law firm in York and Wetherby.

"I am very impressed with their client care, their emphasis on business development and providing a legal service to the business community."

One of the big lures for him was Protector, Ware & Kay's employment protector service where an annual fee gives employers a hotline whenever employment problems arise. "It also includes an initial diagnostic check and report," he said.

Mr Symington began his career in Rowntree McIntosh's export division and his influence on the world literally spread - starting in southern Europe, expanding into South and Central America and back into Northern Europe.

Later, he became export marketing controller, he took on responsibility for sales and marketing in the Far East, Australasia and North America.

He said: "I chocolate-coated the world. That's of tremendous satisfaction to me. But there have been down moments, like the time I discovered that the Argentinian army was marching to war in the Falklands sustained by Yorkie Bars which I had unwittingly foisted upon them.

"Thank heaven that they were restricted to one a day, whereas our boys were on an unlimited supply."

Updated: 09:35 Tuesday, November 30, 2004