Visit County Durham announces new chair

Visit County Durham has announced the formal appointment of its new chair.

Duncan Peake from Raby Estates will take on the role having held the post of Interim Chair since last June. Duncan has been on the board of directors at Visit County Durham for six years.

As an experienced chartered surveyor, land manager and rural business leader Duncan has played a key role in the leadership team since taking over from former Chair Ivor Stolliday.

Duncan joined Raby Estates as chief executive in 2017 after a successful track record developing some of the UK’s foremost landed estate businesses.

He is responsible for business operations across Raby landholdings in County Durham and the Midlands.

As Durham’s destination management organisation (DMO) and Durham County Council’s tourism service, Visit County Durham plays a crucial role in developing and growing the county’s visitor economy, and supporting businesses.

Duncan will be supporting Visit County Durham to achieve its ambitious plans to promote positive economic and social development in County Durham through the successful delivery of Destination Management Plan priorities, that support the growth and impact of the visitor economy following its recent results which show the value of tourism hit £1.23b.

Michelle Gorman, managing director of Visit County Durham said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Duncan as Chair.

“He has been a great support to the Visit County Durham board, team and tourism sector and we look forward to continuing to work with him.”

Duncan added: “I am delighted to be appointed to the role of chair at such an exciting time for the county’s visitor economy which has grown significantly in recent years.

“That growth has given businesses in our sector the confidence to invest which means County Durham now has an amazing tourism product.”