Industry body Cumbria Tourism has announced that Tom Newbould will be its new managing director.

He will take over next month and will replace Ian Stephens, who announced his departure at the end of last year.

Mr Newbould has previously worked in marketing roles for the not-for-profit education group NCG and medical company Attends Healthcare Group. He has also worked for the BBC and accountancy giant PwC.

Most recently, he worked in the consumer finance industry.

He lives in the Eden Valley and is a governor at Asby Endowed School, Great Asby.

Mr Newbould said: “I’m thrilled to be taking the helm at one of the UK’s leading destination marketing organisations. I live in Cumbria and have a family history in the area, as well as a love of the beauty and unique character of the region.

"Working together with tourism businesses, partners and the entire team at Cumbria Tourism, I’m looking forward to helping this truly world-class destination lead the way on the national and international stage, and derive maximum benefit from some of the exciting new opportunities for the county.”

Cumbria Tourism is the in charge of "destination marketing" for the county's tourism industry, which is worth almost £2.8bn each year.

Its chairman, Eric Robson, said: “This is a new era for Cumbria Tourism, as the organisation continues to support and build our thriving visitor economy.

"Tom is an experienced, commercially-minded marketing professional with a genuine passion and enthusiasm for the county, and I have no doubt he will be a tremendous asset to the organisation and Cumbria as a whole.”

Mr Newbould will officially take over as managing director on Monday, July 3.