A businessman who makes his money from tourism has been selected to chair the Marketing Cheshire organisation whose role involves attracting visitors, residents, students and investors to the county.

Clive Sykes, founder and non-executive chairman of Chester-based Sykes Cottages Ltd, which works as a booking agent for around 6,000 holiday cottages and second homes across the UK and Ireland, takes over from outgoing chair Edward Pysden.

Clive’s appointment will help to build on Marketing Cheshire’s success following its recent merger with Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, which has widened the organisation’s role in raising the profile of Cheshire and Warrington as a place to live, work and invest.

He said: “I’m delighted to be taking over as chair of Marketing Cheshire at a really exciting time for its growth and development. Having built and grown a tourism business in Chester and working in tourism for the whole of my career, I am extremely passionate about Cheshire and the sector.

"I’m looking forward to bringing my experience of growing a successful business, my marketing background and my understanding of the needs of the tourism businesses to help build on Marketing Cheshire’s success and support Cheshire’s rich and diverse visitor economy.”

Marketing Cheshire, which provides marketing services to both public and private sector clients, says outgoing chair Edward Pysden ‘made a significant contribution' in driving the company’s transition from a public sector funded organisation to a commercially facing agency during his six years' service.

The organisation now offers marketing, events, PR and social media services to a wide range of tourism businesses across Cheshire.

Marketing Cheshire describes itself as the ‘place marketing and destination management’ organisation for Cheshire and Warrington. Members are 'partners' with everyone committed to working together 'to ensure that Cheshire and Warrington is the place to visit, live, invest, meet and study’.

For further information, visit: www.marketingcheshire.co.uk.