John Holmes, director of regeneration of One NorthEast, has stepped up to lead flood-stricken Hull through its clean-up and redevelopment period as the new chief executive of Hull Citybuild.

Holmes will take up the job in September 2007 and will also become chief executive of the proposed new City Development Company Hull Forward.

Holmes has been at regional development agency One Northeast since 2004 as director of regeneration and tourism. He is responsible for regeneration projects in the region like the Middlehaven project in Middlesborough and Gateshead Town Centre regeneration.

He said he was looking forward to the future of Hull and was excited to join at such a pivotal point in the city’s development.