Cumbria Tourism’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) has today officially marked a number of changes to its Executive Board.
As leading figures from across the county’s visitor economy take on new key roles, member businesses applaud three valued Board Directors stepping down after generously giving their time, skills and expertise to guide Cumbria’s £4.65 billion tourism industry through challenging times.
Following a rigorous recruitment process, the AGM at North Lakes Hotel & Spa near Penrith formally ratified the appointment of four experienced and commercially minded Non-Executive Directors to offer specialist knowledge and expertise to Cumbria’s official Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) and its network of 4,500 member businesses.
They are:
- Hrishikesh Desai, Chef Patron at Farlam Hall
Representing food & drink, skills and education, small hotel sector – Carlisle and the Borders - Tom Waterhouse, Managing Director at Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire Representing sustainable transport – Countywide
- Chris Gallagher-York, Finance Director at UMBEL Restaurant Group
Representing finance and food & drink – Cartmel Peninsula and Morecambe Bay - Jen Garrick, CEO at Rosehill
Representing arts & culture – Western Lake District & Coast
Also reappointed to Cumbria Tourism’s Executive Board were Jamie Allison (Napthens Solicitors, representing professional services) and Jennifer Cormack (Winander Leisure, representing marketing, international and partnerships).
To further broaden Board representation and expertise from across Cumbria’s diverse tourism and hospitality sector, a number of new Observers have been appointed and bring their knowledge and expertise to support the Board. These include:
- Jess Manley, The Yan (Representing sustainability)
- Alex Greenwood, S-Cape Travel (Representing outdoor adventure)
- Judi Blakeburn, Another Place Hotel (Representing brand and marketing)
- Ben Mayou, Lakeside Hotel (Representing hotel sector)
Standing down are Cumbria Tourism’s current Chairman Dan Visser (Langdale Hotel & Spa) and Richard Rankin (Chair of the Audit and Remuneration Committee) – who have both served their full terms – alongside industry stalwart Nick Lancaster. All three were sincerely thanked at today’s AGM for their time, advocacy and invaluable support of Cumbria Tourism over many years.
Outgoing Cumbria Tourism Chair, Dan Visser, says: “After serving for three terms on the Cumbria Tourism board and supporting the organisation through some challenging times with Board colleagues, team and membership I am stepping down to welcome new talent to the Board.
“Cumbria Tourism has always played a pivotal role in destination marketing and membership services throughout the county, particularly during challenging times, and while challenges are ongoing and changing the organisation led by the Executive Board will continue to be one of the UK’s leading Destination Management Organisations.”
Richard Rankin, outgoing Chair of the Audit and Remuneration Committee, adds: “I can genuinely say it has been an absolute honour to be a non-exec on this board. To be part of the wider CT team led by Gill, this amazing team who throw their hearts into our county and the tourism sector, meeting every challenge head on, unafraid to tackle the spikey issues and wanting only the best for their members will stay with me forever. Whilst my term and journey has come to an end, sadly for me, others joining are only just beginning theirs. And, as it should be, they increase the strength of the board, bringing experience from across the whole county to bear. As CT enters a new phase, driving sustainable tourism, working across multiple sectors and leading the way on destination management they have the talent to make a positive difference to this amazing county and I wish them every success.”
President of Cumbria Tourism, Jim Walker comments: ‘These new appointments to Cumbria Tourism’s Board will further strengthen our ability to support our membership and sustain Cumbria’s £4.7billion visitor economy – whatever the future may hold. I very much look forward to working with them alongside our other directors and observers.
“We have seen unprecedented challenges in recent years and I feel it is also really important to recognise the immense contributions Dan Visser, Richard Rankin and Nick Lancaster have made.
“Dan has supported the organisation and its member businesses through very challenging times, including tireless support through the pandemic. On countless occasions, he has given up his time to represent Cumbria Tourism nationally in person and in the media, and has informed and shaped policy for our members’ benefit. I know he will continue to be a leading ambassador for our industry.
“Meanwhile, Richard has provided brilliant financial expertise, coolly and calmly guiding us through some very uncertain times, giving us the confidence to flourish and ensuring those all-important numbers are clear and understandable for Board members and businesses alike. We’ve also been fortunate to have Nick’s challenge and wise counsel. He has never been afraid to encourage Board discussion on complex issues and ensure we always explore more deeply and more widely on behalf of our membership.
“The role of Non Executive Director is a challenging one and each of them have been so generous with their skills and time. Their contributions have ensured our organisation is left in a very strong position indeed.
“In summary I feel Cumbria Tourism now is in one of the strongest ever positions to support the county’s tourism industry and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together with our public sector partners for the benefit of those who live in and visit this extraordinarily beautiful and
diverse county.”
