CUMBRIA Tourism’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) has confirmed a number of changes to its executive board, including the introduction of two new board members to help steer the industry through the post-pandemic recovery.

Following a rigorous application process, Cumbria Tourism’s members have formally ratified the appointment of two experienced and commercially minded non-executive directors who will offer specialist knowledge and expertise to the organisation.

Jamie Allison, a partner at regional law firm Napthens, will be the representative for professional services, while experienced hospitality director Nick Lancaster will represent the Western Lake District. Kendal-based Jamie Allison heads up the Napthens’ Cumbria office and is also head of the real estate group.

A highly experienced lawyer and advocate for Cumbria, Mr Allison has particular expertise within the licensed and brewing community and the wider leisure and hospitality sector.

He is also a non-executive director of community investment fund, Enterprise Answers and is on the board of both Kendal Futures CIC and Napthens charity foundation. Meanwhile, Nick Lancaster’s career has seen him work for a number of hospitality businesses, from single independent units to multinational organisations throughout the UK. During the past 16 years, Mr Lancaster was managing director of Langdale Estate, one of the largest single-site hospitality businesses in the Lake District.

Passionate about the local community, he is also a professor of practice at the University of Cumbria and is currently a tourism and hospitality consultant.

Both newly appointed non-executive directors will hold office for a term of four years and will then retire and be eligible for re-election for a maximum of three terms.

The changes ratified at the AGM have also seen the re-appointment of four other key roles: Jim Walker, Lake District Estates (Large Operator Representative); Dan Visser, Langdale Hotel & Spa: (Digital Marketing Representative) (Currently Vice Chairman); Richard Rankin, H&H Group (Finance Representative); and Jennifer Cormack, Winander Leisure (Brand & Marketing Representative).

Cumbria Tourism managing director Gill Haigh said: “We are delighted to welcome two new non-exec directors of Nick and Jamie’s calibre, as well as the reappointment of four extremely dedicated and capable directors who have already helped to champion and steer our industry through a very challenging 15 months.”