A leading community figure and businessman will retire this week after leading his family’s company for more than three decades.

Robin Burgess is the fourth generation of his family to be involved in the running of Carlisle-based CN Group, publishers of in-Cumbria.

His final day as chief executive, a post he has held for 31 years, comes ahead of his 65th birthday on Sunday.

Mr Burgess has worked for the family-owned media company, which owns a string of newspaper titles, magazines and radio stations in Cumbria, Northumberland and Scotland, for 40 years.

He succeeded his father, Sir John Burgess, at its helm.

In an interview for our Life section today, the former high sheriff of Cumbria talks about his time serving as a soldier, his decades at CN Group and the challenges the media industry faces in a rapidly-changing world.

Mr Burgess, who lives at Scaleby near Carlisle, is a prominent figure in the Cumbrian community, with close involvement with causes including Carlisle Cathedral and the Lake District Calvert Trust.

Although retiring as chief executive, he will remain closely involved with the business, succeeding former Cumbria MEP Lord Inglewood as the company’s non-executive chairman at the annual general meeting in May.

In the meantime, Mr Burgess will work alongside him as deputy chairman.

Lord Inglewood said: “Robin has made CN his life, and just as it is still far from over, we all look forward to seeing him back at Newspaper House.”