DICKSONS Pork Butchers has announced a change at the top as it gears up to open new shops and create more than 100 jobs. 

Chris Hayman, previously head of sales at the family firm, will take up the role of managing director following the decision by Michael Dickson to move into the role of executive chairman.

Read Michael Dickson's story here 

Mr Dickson has been at the helm of the business - started by his father Irwin in 1953 - for more than 25 years. He has taken the purveyor of pies and pease pudding from a small group of shops in South Tyneside to a thriving food manufacture and retailing business employing more than 300 people, with branches across the North-East. 

He said: “This is an appointment we’ve planned for several years and which was the main driver behind the formation of a family (shareholder) council in 2008. The family council was set up with the clear intention of maintaining family participation and ownership, while accepting the business might not remain under close day-to-day family direction. Although my daughter Elena remains in a senior-level role as marketing director and son, Dr Matthew Dickson, is current chair of the family council.

“Growth expectations in our wholesale business will necessitate further expansion of the factory in the next 12 months. We’re also planning a 50 per cent increase in our retail estate by 2019 taking us to 40 sites so now is the right time for Chris to drive forward the many positive changes taking place to secure the future for the business and that of our long serving team.

“It’s a time of change but also an exciting period of growth for Dicksons and one which Chris and the team will be leading with my support.”

Chris Hayman previously worked at McDonalds for 16 years before joining in 2014 to manage Dicksons retail division.

The business is planning four new shop openings in 2016, as part of plans to haver 40 shops within three years. In addition, a plan to modernise equipment and expand space within its factory should see staff numbers approach 450 by 2019.