Michael Hill

Michael is a passionate conservationist with a lifelong love of the Lake District and Cumbrian landscapes. With his strong track record of dynamic leadership in the non-profit sector, he has shown the vision and determination necessary to build an exciting future for the charity. 

Previous roles held include Deputy Controller of Radio 5live at the BBC. As a Network Manager he successfully launched new services and led strategic reviews of national radio stations. He also has extensive journalistic and production experience, including as a Senior Broadcast Journalist and Duty Editor at BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat programme.

Michael has been exploring the Lake District regularly since first falling in love with it as a child, saying:

“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.”

Michael devotes his spare time to outdoor pursuits including fellwalking and horticulture. His ambitions for life in the Lakes include establishing a smallholding, developing his interest in ecology and building an electric cargo bike to get around on (with his dog Gem).