A partnership which brings together organisations across the South Lakes area to protect and improve the water quality around Lake Windermere has appointed a new independent chair.

Nigel Wilkinson MBE will occupy the role at the Love Windermere partnership for 18 months.

Mr Wilkinson's experience in the Cumbria business and tourism community includes his current role as managing director of Windermere Lakes Cruises Limited, as well as his holding of several board and advisory positions at organisations including VisitEngland, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP), South Cumbria Rivers Trust, and the Tourism Industry Council.

His past roles include being a director of Cumbria Tourism, chair of CLEP’s visitor economy sector panel, and chair of the Lake District National Park Partnership’s business task force.

Mr Wilkinson said: "It is a privilege to lead this ambitious partnership into its next phase.

"Windermere is an iconic waterbody in the heart of the Lake District and has many attractions, not least its four designated bathing waters which are consistently classed as excellent by the Environment Agency, but it also has complex challenges and needs to be resilient to the impact of climate change.

"I am passionate about water quality in the lake and Love Windermere is building on the improvements delivered in recent decades by bringing together everyone with the power to drive future enhancements, to protect the lake and to sustain our local economy and communities."

Councillor Giles Archibald, portfolio holder for climate change and biodiversity at Westmorland and Furness Council, said of Andy Brown, outgoing chair: "On behalf of the partnership I want to express our thanks to Andy for all his hard work and dedication."

The Love Windermere partnership also welcomed Ruth Forrester on a two-year contract as its partnership manager.

Ms Forrester brings experience working from within the Environment Agency and working at a local and national level within various partnerships.

The Love Windermere partnership includes Cumbria Tourism, the Environment Agency, the Lake District Foundation, the Lake District National Park Authority, The National Trust, The National Farmers Union, South Cumbria Rivers Trust, United Utilities plc, Westmorland and Furness Council and Windermere Town Council.