NAFAC is pleased to announce that, with immediate effect, Mr Martin Read has been appointed Executive Chairman of the organisation.

Martin Read, who is 61 years old and lives in Swinton, South Yorkshire, is recently retired from the steel industry, and is a well known angler and journalist in the North East.

He is the Chairman of both the Phoenix and Parkgate AC and the Kilnhurst and District Angling Alliance in addition to being on the National Council of NAFAC, and for which he has worked in the role of Press Officer.

He is a director of Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust (FACT), and also a member of the North East RFERAC.

Perhaps his biggest claim to fame was organising a 36,000 signature petition to Government on the problem of cormorants, and his involvement in the Moran Committee Bird Group, which successfully negotiated relaxations in the licensing procedure for shooting the birds.

Martin takes over the role as Chairman of NAFAC, following the death of Terry Mansbridge earlier in the year.