The first chairwoman in the 64-year history of a leading Cumbrian arts organisation has been appointed.
Diane Reid, a former BBC programme maker, has been announced as the chairwoman of Lakeland Arts board of trustees.
Diane was group manager for the BBC’s move to MediaCityUK in Salford in 2011 and was later the organisation’s head of outreach and corporate responsibility.
She has held several non-executive roles since 2005.
She is currently a trustee of the Association of Chairs and HCPT and was until recently vice chair of MAG, an NGO which clears landmines worldwide.
She worked at the BBC for more than three decades, producing and directing programmes such as the Antiques Roadshow and Songs of Praise.
She said: “I’m delighted to be appointed Chair of Lakeland Arts Board of Trustees. I fell in love with the Lake District as a very little girl when my parents would take me walking on the fells.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in making many programmes in Cumbria – from a boating series to walking programmes with mountaineer Chris Bonington.
“I love the historical and cultural life of the Lakes. Working on Songs of Praise and the Antiques Roadshow, I developed a real interest in historic buildings and an appreciation of objects, so I feel very privileged to be Chair of an organisation which looks after objects of great cultural value not just to Cumbria but to the nation.”
Lakeland Arts has a stunning collection of venues in its portfolio including Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts House, and Windermere Jetty Museum in Bowness-on-Windermere as well as Abbot Hall and Lakeland Museum in Kendal.
Windermere Jetty Museum stands on the former site of Windermere Steamboat Museum.
Diane filmed at the original site in the 1980s.
She interviewed local boat builder and collector, George Pattinson, who lovingly built up the museum’s collection which can be seen today.
Lakeland Arts now has two women at the helm of the organisation for the first time in its history. Rhian Harris became Chief Executive in early 2019, joining Lakeland Arts from the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood and now Diane Reid heads up its board.
Diane added:
“I’m very interested in audiences and how they can impact and shape an organisation. With a superb collection, I am looking forward to supporting Lakeland Arts with their audience and creative ambitions in the future.
“Inclusion is important to me, so I want to help lead the growth of relationships with diverse audiences and artists on a local, regional and national platform.”
Martin Ainscough steps down after his 10-year term as chairman.
Rhian Harris, chief executive of Lakeland Arts said: “We thank Martin for his hard work and enormous contribution to the growth of Lakeland Arts. Martin had a major impact on the organisation for more than a decade and his presence will be missed.
“One of Martin’s key achievements was overseeing the development of the award-winning Windermere Jetty Museum, which is a valuable addition to the Lakeland Arts family of venues.
“I am delighted that Diane joins Lakeland Arts as the new chair of trustees.
“She brings a wealth of experience from the world of media and her work in developing new audiences will be extremely beneficial to the organisation.”
