It is very much the end of an era for leisure in Cumbria as Carlisle Leisure Limited bids farewell to Managing Director Jim Douglas.

After 26 years of service to the leisure industry in Cumbria, Jim is retiring and will be leaving behind the company he set up in 2002 and which now welcomes in excess of 1.8 million users every year.

Andy King currently Director of Sport and Community Development for Serco Leisure has been appointed as successor to Jim and will take over at the end of June.

Jim left the Royal Marines in 1974 and went into leisure management, working for a number of organisations including Lee Valley Park, Sedgefield DC and the Sultan of Oman before arriving in Carlisle in 1984.

"I have really enjoyed working and living in Cumbria and especially seeing the company develop over the last 8 years" says Jim. "I am leaving behind a great team of people who have played an important role in the success of CLL and am certain they will continue to do so with Andy, who I wish all the very best for the future. I am sure he will now take the company on to even bigger and greater success."

Andy King brings to CLL a wealth of experience having worked in both the public and private sectors with the likes of Horsham District Council, Virgin and Fitness First.

His time at Serco included being on the board as Operations Director and latterly working in business development particularly on sport and community projects that are dear to Andy's heart.

“My passion is sport, leisure and culture and how it can make a huge positive impact on people's lives,” he said.

This is increasingly important as the purse strings are tightened so we must be strategic in our approach and ensure we get the best bang for our clients bucks and demonstrably make a difference in future. I am thrilled to be taking over from Jim and joining a team that are clearly up for the challenge.”