Cumbria Tourism has elected a new chairman to replace Eric Robson.

The broadcaster has stepped into the honorary role of president and Jim Walker becomes chairman.

The appointments were confirmed at a meeting of its executive board today, which also saw Dan Visser, the Langdale Hotel and Spa’s director of sales and marketing, named vice chairman.

Mr Walker, based in Appleby, has had senior management experience in private and public roles.

Former jobs include chief executive of Lake District Estates and head of cultural and tourism services at South Lakeland District Council.

A fellow of the Tourism Society, he is already Chairman of Eden Tourism Network and the North Lakes China Forum.

He was also Cumbria Tourism's interim managing director in 2017.

He said: “To be asked to chair the executive board is a great privilege and one which I’m very much looking forward to.

"Cumbria Tourism’s board is committed to serving our 2,500 private and public sector members and working closely with our partners to overcome key challenges like Brexit and capitalise on the many opportunities which lie ahead – not least the upcoming Tourism Sector Deal.”

Mr Visser has lived in the Lakes for more than two decades, working in a range of hospitality marketing roles.

He has been with the Langdale Hotel for 11 years and is a key part of the marketing group for the English Lake District World Heritage Site.

He added: “I’m looking forward to taking up this new role and helping to support our £3billion tourism sector in competitive times.

I’ve enjoyed being an active board member and will continue to fly the flag for our industry, working with partners across the private and public sectors to identify new opportunities and ensure we do the best we possibly can for our county.”

It was the first meeting for Cumbria Tourism’s newly elected non-executive directors.

They are Carl Bevan, of Associated British Ports; Justin Farnan, of the Lake District Calvert Trust and Mike Turner, of Treetop Trek.