North County Leisure’s (NCL) deputy chief executive and director of operations Darren Lamb has been announced as the man to succeed current chief executive John Maude when he retires on 31 October.

Following national advertising and recent interviews for the post, the NCL board decided that Lamb is the man to take the leisure operator forward. The company manages a number of sites across Cumbria, Newcastle and Northumberland. Lamb – who has held senior leisure management positions for more than 25 years – takes up his new post on 1 November and will be in charge of over 600 staff operating across four geographical areas.

“I would like to thank John for his guidance and support over the past 12 years, and I wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement,” said Lamb.

“I am looking forward to working closely with the board, staff and customers to develop the charity in the future ensuring that we continue to provide ‘Excellent Sports and Leisure for All.’”

The outgoing Maude has been with NCL since its launch in 1999 and has worked closely with Lamb over the last 12 years.

“I am enormously proud of our achievements since NCL was launched in 1999. The organisation is a highly regarded leisure operator with a proven track record and a well-earned reputation of working across the North of England in partnership with five local authority partners,” said Maude.

“I am delighted that Darren has been appointed as my successor – as my deputy for the past 12 years he has contributed enormously to the success of NCL and I have every confidence he will steer the company successfully and with great vision in the years ahead.”