Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership has appointed two new private sector board members with strong track records of leadership in the tourism and manufacturing sectors.

John Coughlan, the managing director of Workington based TSP Engineering, and Nigel Wilkinson, the managing director of Windermere Lake Cruises, have joined the LEP board following a rigorous and open recruitment process.

Mr Coughlan joined TSP Engineering in 2014 and his career has taken him across Europe, Asia, North America and Mexico in senior non-executive and executive roles. He has also worked on a range of senior committees, enterprise boards and liaison groups.

Mr Wilkinson, a graduate engineer and chartered accountant, has been managing director of Windermere Lake Cruises Ltd since 2004. He is also chair of the Lake District National Park Partnership’s Business Task Force.

George Beveridge, Chair of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, says: “We are pleased to welcome John and Nigel to the LEP board. They both bring valuable expertise and experience to the role and will be strong additions to the team.”

“Nigel has been involved in the county’s Visitor Economy sub group and development of the associated sector growth plan. John has a long background in manufacturing and has worked successfully to secure the future of the former Corus facility in Workington as well as supporting Cumbria LEP with advanced manufacturing development.”

John Coughlan said: “My focus on the board will be to deliver a voice for the private sector with an emphasis on supporting wealth creation through the development of advanced manufacturing and skills necessary to support the local talent pool.

“I hope I will be able to positively affect the local dynamics of social and economic exclusion which can be eliminated through the development of the skills base across all sectors of the region’s economy.”

Nigel Wilkinson added: “I am wholeheartedly looking forward to working on Cumbria LEP’s board at a time of tremendous challenge and opportunity for both the rural and visitor economy and the county’s other key sectors. It’s vital that Cumbria speaks with one voice and can make a unified case to central government.”

Mr Wilkinson and Mr Coughlan succeed former private sector board members Duncan Peake and Ian Robinson, both of whom recently moved out of the area to take up new posts. Giles Archibald, Leader of South Lakeland District Council, Colin Glover, Leader of Carlisle City Council, and Alan Smith, Leader of Allerdale Borough Council, also joined Cumbria LEP’s Board earlier in the year.