Lifelong angler Eric Prescott appointed Angling Trust Chair

Eric Prescott, a lifelong angler with a wealth of business experience, has been appointed the new Chair of the Angling Trust.

A former President of Manchester Anglers’ Association, Eric has also experienced the challenges involved in running a fishing club after taking control of his local club in Sussex when an outbreak of KHV devastated its premier water.

It led to a drop in membership and management issues, and for the past seven years Eric has led the construction of a three-lake fishery covering seven acres on a limited budget. The venture has been so successful the club’s membership is now full and has an eight-year waiting list to join.

Eric’s earliest recollections of fishing are from a boat in Anglesey with his uncle when he was about six years old, and later fishing the meres of Cheshire. Sixty years on, the excitement and pleasure he gains from a day on the bank are just as strong.

Eric said: “As a lifelong angler who is passionate about all forms of our sport, I am delighted to have been appointed Angling Trust Chair and look forward to contributing to the amazing work the Trust does to protect, promote and grow fishing.

“I have experience of managing both a grassroots angling club and being CEO of a major PLC, and I am excited at the opportunity to help build a sustainable future for all aspects of angling and the environments we support.”

While a member of Manchester Anglers’ Association, Eric enjoyed trout and salmon fishing on their Ribblesdale fishery. He was also a member of Prince Albert Angling Society where he fished for specimen chub and barbel on the Rivers Dane and Severn, a former member of Warrington Angling Association, a member of the Chub Study Group and an early member of the ACA, now Fish Legal.

Eric manages to fish a couple of times a week and enjoys the social and fun side of local club competitions, particularly if he can occasionally beat his friends. He also fishes from the coast around Shoreham and Brighton, and the commercial fly fisheries near his home.

Eric has recently retired from an extensive career in construction and manufacturing that started with a trade apprenticeship and finished as a CEO of a major PLC.

He is a former member of the CBI’s President Committee and has held numerous non-executive directorships, including with the British Waterways Board where he supported the executive in the transfer of British Waterways to the Canal and Rivers Trust. In these former roles, Eric has worked alongside Government and other relevant agencies.

Angling Trust CEO Jamie Cook said: “Eric brings to the role extensive business experience at the highest level having successfully led large international organisations for many years. His experience of working with central and local government, coupled with his knowledge of angling clubs, fisheries and societies, made him the standout candidate to Chair the Angling Trust.”

Eric replaces Interim Chair Stephen Beverley who will remain on the Board as Lead Anti-Doping Director.