Lakeland Arts has appointed Luis Martins as its new Chief Operating Officer. With a remarkable career spanning over two decades in the visitor, hospitality, events and tourism sectors, Luis brings a wealth of expertise to the charity.
Prior to joining Lakeland Arts, Luis held significant roles in various well-respected organisations, including serving as Assistant Head of Visitor & Commercial Services at the Lake District National Park Authority, General Manager at Carlisle Racecourse, and Business Operations Manager at St Martin-in-the-Fields. His diverse experience, understanding of Cumbria’s visitor economy and proven track record in improving performance and development will bring Lakeland Arts into a new chapter of fiscal leadership.
Luis joins Lakeland Arts at a time when cultural organisations are facing a multitude of challenges including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, cost of living crisis and uncertainty about the future of institutional funding. Many museums and other organisations are exploring ways to be more entrepreneurial, with commercial income supporting and enabling their charitable work.
Diane Reid, Lakeland Arts Chair said, “We are delighted to welcome Luis to the team. With the challenges currently facing cultural organisations up and down the country, it is a good time to explore new opportunities for Lakeland Arts to become more sustainable and resilient. We look forward to working with Luis to make a meaningful impact on Cumbrian communities through outstanding arts and heritage.”
Luis expressed his excitement about his new role, stating, “I am thrilled to be joining Lakeland Arts as Chief Operating Officer. The opportunity to contribute to such a renowned institution in the arts sector is incredibly exciting. My passion for driving results, customer centricity and dedication to fostering a positive work culture align perfectly with Lakeland Arts’ values. I am particularly thrilled about the prospect of working and collaborating with the talented team at Lakeland Arts to further elevate our mission and impact.”
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Luis Martins as he embarks on this exciting journey with us at Lakeland Arts.
