An environmental pressure group has announced its appointment of a new chief executive officer.
Friends of the Lake District has chosen Michael Hill, a former BBC broadcast journalist with a background in non-profit work, as its new lead.
Michael is expected to take on the role in April 2023 and is joining from the non-profit radio technology platform Radioplayer. Friends of the Lake District’s head of finance and operations, Stuart Clayton will remain acting CEO until then.
Judith Cooke, chair of Friends of the Lake District said: “We are incredibly excited to have such a serious thinker and energetic leader to take on the challenge of shaping the future of the charity.
“Michael brings the qualities needed to steer us through these difficult and uncertain times. With the landscape facing ever-more threats, we must stand up vigorously in its defence. Michael will ensure that happens, along with our superb team at Friends of the Lake District.”
Previous leadership roles Michael has held at the BBC include deputy controller of Radio 5live, and as network manager he launched new services and led reviews of national radio stations. He has also worked as a senior broadcast journalist and duty editor at BBC Radio 1’s newsbeat programme.
Michael is also a conservationist with a lifelong love of the Lake District and Cumbrian landscapes. He said: “I first climbed Coniston Old Man at the age of nine. I remember being transfixed by the landscape, and how it combines vast geological scale with timeless human activity.
“It is a huge honour to be asked to lead Friends of the Lake District and build on the incredible work the team has done in defence of this amazing place.”
