Generator has appointed Hannah Matterson as its new CEO.
In January Jim Mawdsley stepped down as CEO of the music development agency and support organisation for the North East’s creative and digital industries to take up a role at Newcastle City Council.
Matterson brings a wealth of experience in the music, digital and creative economy including roles at Sage Gateshead, Sunderland 2021 – Sunderland’s bid to become the UK city of culture – Sunderland Culture and MAC Trust, where she has focused on partnership development across all of the 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.
She has helped to develop a Young Musicians Project, working with artists from across the North East including The Lake Poets and Field Music to encourage young people to collaborate alongside a talent development programme for young musicians, funded by Arts Council England and Sunderland music hub, providing music industry support at a very early stage in their careers.
Matterson will relocate back to her native North East from Manchester, where she recently held the role of Innovation Partnership Bids developer at Manchester University Knowledge Transfer Partnership, working with SMEs to address the challenges of business growth by accessing academic support.
She said: “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, said: “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.”