A well-known figure in the Furness business community has left his job at one of the area’s key companies.

Carl Bevan has left his role as divisional port manager North West Coast for Associated British Ports.

Cumbrian ports under his purview included Barrow and Silloth.

Carl is also the current chair of the Furness Economic Development Forum.

Prior to joining ABP three years ago, Carl worked in procurement and logistics for Tesco.

The Port of Barrow handles around 300,000 tonnes of cargo a year.

An ABP Masterplan developed for the port - which is estimated to support 1200 jobs across the UK and 800 in Barrow - predicted it could grow the £107m GVA it currently contributes to the economy by £30m over the next decade.

The port’s major customers include BAE Systems Maritime, Burlington Aggregates and offshore windpower providers Vattenfall, Siemens and Orsted.

The port also acts as a key partner for Kimberly-Clark, with 60,000 tonnes of wood pulp a year shipped to Barrow for use in Andrex and Cleanex.

During his time at the port, Carl played a key role in developing ties with paper mill Billerudkorsnas, in Beetham, by importing wood pulp into Barrow.

A spokesman for ABP said: “We can confirm that Carl Bevan, divisional port manager North West Coast, has left ABP after three years with the business.

"We thank him for his contribution to ABP and wish him every success for the future.

"We will be announcing his successor in due course.”

FEDF confirmed he is still chairman of the organisation.

Mr Bevan was also elected as a non-executive director of Cumbria Tourism in the summer, as the corporate and supplier representative.