A well-known businessman has taken the reins of Barrow and District Credit Union. 

Phil Collier – who runs business consultancy Phil Collier Associates – has been appointed chairman of the union, taking over from Simon Fell, who was elected as Barrow and Furness MP in December.

Mr Collier has been involved with the Credit Union in various roles since its inception back in February 2013.

Barrow and District Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member owned financial cooperative that offers ethical financial services to people who live and work across south west Cumbria. It currently has just under 1,500 members.

Mr Collier said: “As we head into our eighth year we are close to becoming a completely sustainable organisation and this is a huge achievement that has resulted from some tremendous hard work from directors, past and present, our paid staff and our team of staunch volunteers over the recent years.

“We are now closing in on some key landmarks, with both our share savings and loan book about to hit the half-a-million-pound mark.”

Mr Collier is a well-known and respected business figure in the south Cumbria region.

He set up Phil Collier Associates after selling his company TurnstoneHR, through a management buy-out deal.

He also served as chair of the Furness branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and was the first chair of Barrow Business Improvement District.

Mr Collier is also active in supporting and promoting the cultural and arts scene in the region.