MARTIN KNOWLES, the group finance director at the Three Rivers Housing Group, has been appointed as its new chief executive.

Mr Knowles, right, joined Three Rivers in 1999 after spending ten years in finance director roles in various NHS trusts in the North-East.

Before that, he worked for British Gas, leaving the organisation as regional capital accountant.

Three Rivers Housing Group has more than 25 years of experience in developing and providing affordable homes across the North-East.

It has more than £9m worth of development projects in the pipeline during this year.