Lucy McLaren (née Cavendish) grew up at Holker, near Cartmel, and studied Fine Art in London before spending five years painting and travelling internationally on scholarships from the Royal Academy and the Goldsmiths’ Company. She exhibited widely, including at the Royal Academy and five solo shows at Thomas Williams Fine Art on Bond Street, before returning to Cumbria.

In 2014 Lucy succeeded her father, Lord Cavendish, as Chairman of The Holker Group, having served as a Director since 2008. She led the Group — encompassing Burlington Stone, extensive woodlands, Cartmel Racecourse, caravan parks and housebuilding ventures — before stepping down as Chairman in 2018. She remains Principal and Director, working alongside the Group’s Non-Executive Chair and Board.

Lucy brings substantial governance experience to CCF, having served as a Trustee and Board Member of St Mary’s Hospice, Ulverston, for nine years and remains an active supporter. She is a Trustee of Cumbria Community Foundation since 2020, chairing the CCF Furness Grants Committee, and is Chair of Guides over the Sands. She also sits on the North West Forestry and Woodland Advisory Committee (FWAC) and is an advisor to the Lake District Book Festival.

Deeply rooted in Cumbria through both business and family life, Lucy is motivated by a strong commitment to the communities that have shaped her own life and livelihood, and by CCF’s ability to channel local knowledge and resources directly to those who need them most. Her interests span rural business, land management, tourism and the arts and culture — she continues to paint alongside her professional commitments. Through her role on the Board, Lucy hopes to help CCF strengthen its reach across Furness and beyond, ensuring grant-making remains responsive to the county’s changing needs.