The Right Hon. The Lord Inglewood Chairman of Friends of the Lake District Development Trust Expand Richard Inglewood has a long history with Friends of the Lake District, having served as our President twice in the past. We are now honoured that he has taken up the role of Chairman of our Development Trust, leading our efforts to raise £1.2 million over five years. Lord Inglewood was called to the bar in 1975. He has also been a member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing Cumbria and Lancashire North. He is an active peer in the House of Lords. Lord Inglewood lives at his family's historic home of Hutton-in-the-Forest in North Cumbria, which is open to the public. Lord Inglewood has long been passionate about protecting the landscapes of the Lake District and Cumbria.
John Entwistle OBE President Expand Professional background: Solicitor and retired tribunal judge, president of the British Chambers of Commerce. Additional skills: Fundraising, trustee of arts organisations, former member of the N.W. National Trust Regional committee and former chairman of the Romney Society based in Kendal. I am a retired lawyer so now have more time to enjoy the ever changing landscape in all weathers with my dog George. I consider it a privilege to have lived here for the last 26 years and now to help Friends of the Lake District continue to keep it really special.
Chairperson - John Campbell A long time connection with the Lake District living locally near Troutbeck, and having had family in Langdale. Supporter of Lakeland Arts Trust and other local bodies. Expand Professional background: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) with specialism in commercial properties, combined with Business Management. Over the years has been non-exec Director of Health Authority, and worked with Outward Bound. A long time connection with the Lake District living locally near Troutbeck, and having had family in Langdale. Supporter of Lakeland Arts Trust and other local bodies. Other interests include historic buildings and gardens. Passionate about the preservation of the Cumbrian landscape.
Philip Cropper Trustee Expand Professional background: Retired stockbroker/ investment fund manager and previously fellow of the Institute of Securities.Additional skills: Fundraising for a number of charities often through film making and current chairman of Art Fund Cumbria.
Diana Matthews Development Trust Member Expand Diana Matthews was a magistrate for more than 30 years. She also took on the role of High Sheriff between 2013 and 2014. Diana has a wealth of charity experience as a trustee of the Wordsworth Trust; Patron of the Lakeland Arts Trust; Trustee of Cumbria Gardens Trust and a Trustee of Cooper Pattinson's Trust Homes. Diana Matthews has a long standing and deep rooted connection with the Lake District, not least through her family home at Rayrigg Hall on the shores of Windermere (the home of the slave abolitionist, William Wilberforce).
David Kitchen Development Trust Member Expand David is a long standing supporter of Friends of the Lake District, having been a member for over 30 years. David is a Chartered Surveyor by profession but also has a wealth of experience working with charities, especially in a fundraising capacity, raising £11.4 million in total. David is also Chairman of a local environmental charity. David is a keen walker, having first gained his love of the outdoors as a young Boy Scout in the Lake District. He also enjoys walking in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and North York Moors.
Norman Clarkson Development Trust Member Expand Norman Clarkson has long had an interest in the Lake District, having served as a member of the Lake District National Park Authority. Norman was also a Conservative Councillor for Cumbria County Council, representing Gosforth and Ennerdale division. He was the Chairman of the Council between 2012 and 2013. Norman has lived in Cumbria since 1957. He served in the Household Calvary for 9 years and then worked for Albright and Wilson in Whitehaven. Norman was the Mayor of Copeland 2005-2006.
Kate Blue Development Trust Member Expand Kate qualified as a solicitor in 1983 and for 25 years was a partner/director in Scott Duff & Co based in Penrith but also spending time in their Keswick and Carlisle offices. As a country solicitor her practice was broad based but in later years she spent most of her time on family and property work as well as gaining significant management experience. She is currently a trustee of Carlisle and Eden Citizens Advice. Except during her student years Kate has always lived in the Westmorland Fells where her family have owned a farm since 1797. The family have been interested in conservation for many years and Kate now manages their environmental schemes which recently included the restoration of 25 acres of hay meadows. Kate is a keen walker and cyclist with endless interest in the landscape, flora, wildlife, history, architecture and art of the Lake District and beyond.
James Spedding Development Trust Member Expand James Spedding is a barrister and local landowner with deep Cumbrian roots. His family home is at Mirehouse, near Keswick. This is a historic house that, with its gardens, is open to the public. The Mirehouse Estate also takes in agricultural land, let residential property, and forestry in the Keswick area.
Tristan Ponsonby Development Trust Member Expand Tristan Ponsonby and his partner moved to Cumbria to restore a historic country house that has been in the family for over 900 years which won a commendation from the Sotheby’s Restoration award. He started up his firm dealing with property at the age of 19 and has been working in industry ever since. He is also a member of Historic Houses and the Georgian group and takes a very keen interest in antiques and architecture. Building up his firm he has dealt with many clients based in London and internationally and has a great enthusiasm for promoting Cumbria.