This week's North East appointments

Hannah Matterson, Generator

Digital and creative support agency Generator has appointed Hannah Matterson as CEO.

Hannah brings a range of experience in the music, digital and creative economy including roles at Sage Gateshead, Sunderland 2021 and MAC Trust, where she has focused on partnership development across creative industries to fuel the economic development of the North East.

In addition, she was a co-director at We Make Culture, an arts focused community interest company which works with music communities across the North to develop music opportunities and support young musicians and emerging artists.

Hannah will relocate back to her native North East from Manchester, where she has recently held the role of innovation partnership bids developer at Manchester University Knowledge Transfer Partnership.

Hannah commented: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Generator’s new CEO, it is my dream job.

“I’m passionate about the local and regional development of our creative industries, with an emphasis on putting our region on the map for our immense digital and music talent.

“I can’t wait to get started at Generator, to represent all it stands for and all it can achieve in the future.”

Stuart Birkett, chair of the board, added: “The Generator Board were really impressed with Hannah’s broad range of experience in the music, creative and digital industries, but also with her amazing enthusiasm for everything Generator stands for.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome her back to the North East and we look forward to Hannah helping shape the next exciting chapter in Generator’s journey.”

Mark Wilson and Wes English, Avant Homes

Housebuilder Avant Homes has appointed Mark Wilson as land director and Wes English as senior land manager.

Mark Wilson joins the company with more than 20 years’ experience in the residential property sector in the North East and Yorkshire regions and will be responsible for overseeing the land team for the North East region.

Commenting on his appointment, Mark said: “It’s great to become part of a successful housebuilder that is incredibly ambitious and forward thinking, to ensure people increasingly have better places to live in the North East while also being innovative with its brand and specification.

“As North East land director, I want to exceed expectations and lead the way in delivering Avant Homes’ growth plans in the region by identifying new opportunities, partners and locations across the area.

“With my experience, I’m passionate about the housebuilding industry and about motivating and supporting members of the team to work collaboratively and make things happen.”

Wes has also joined the team with more than a decade of experience within the construction sector across the North East. Wes will work closely with external agents, consultants and landowners to identify and purchase new development opportunities.

Speaking about his appointment, Wes said: “I feel incredibly lucky to have become a part of Avant Homes and in turn be able to contribute to the company’s success story by supplying and securing profitable development sites in line with the growth plans of the business.

“The team at Avant Homes are first class, and I’m pleased to share their ambitions and desire to deliver the best for the business.”

Matthew Weir, Jigsaw Business Group

Jigsaw Business Group has appointed Matthew Weir as senior recruitment consultant.

Matthew’s focus is to support the growth Jigsaw have seen within their interim project management and permanent staff provision - by sourcing, screening and interview candidates based on their technical suitability.

Matthew commented: “I’m delighted to be joining an incredibly talented and knowledgeable team in Jigsaw Business Group. I am looking forward to getting started with a fantastic group of individuals and adding value to JBG and their clients.”

Darren Comben – head of operations at Jigsaw Business Group – added: “The future of Jigsaw is looking very bright with year on year growth within the automotive, rail and housing sectors.

“Finding someone with the same values and beliefs was paramount and therefore, we are delighted to have Matthew join our recruitment team and build upon our expertise in placing candidates who are the right fit.”

Ben Moody, Advanced

Fire systems manufacturer Advanced has appointed Ben Moody as finance director.

Based at Advanced’s headquarters on Balliol Business Park, Ben will be responsible for developing the company’s global financial and IT strategies as it continues to expand in the UK and overseas.

Ben began his career training as an accountant in investment banks including Schroders and Salomon Smith Barney.

Ben subsequently moved into the manufacturing sector, where he has spent the last 20 years in commercial finance roles for several multinational manufacturers including Herman Miller and De La Rue.

In his new role, Ben will leverage the business’ enterprise resource planning systems to bring to the foreground financial insights that will be used to support strategic commercial and operational decisions.

Ben commented: “In the short time I’ve been at Advanced, I’ve already witnessed the fantastic reputation the company has in the fire industry. I’m excited to be able to play my part in turning our ambitious growth plans into reality.

“My ethos for working in finance is to be commercially focused and to take a collaborative approach. This way, I believe we are best placed to gather the information we need to help qualify our business decisions and ultimately deliver greater value – as a department, and as a business.”

Advanced’s managing director, Pete Browitt, added: “Ben’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Advanced as we continue to invest in new technology and techniques to help drive business insight.”

“Ben’s manufacturing sector experience and his ability to lead change are attributes we need to drive our business forward and we are delighted to welcome him to the board.”

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