Finning Group UK has promoted Annette Gann to the newly created role of Group Communications Manager. Previously Communications Manager at Hewden - the group's plant hire arm - Annette will now manage communications across all lines of business within the group, including Finning Construction, Finning Power and Hewden.

In particular, Annette will continue to manage Hewden's external PR but will take on the new responsibility for both Hewden and Finning's internal employee communications. Furthermore, Annette will take ownership of the company's web sites and intranets ensuring the communications strategy is unified across the group.

Mike Davies, HR Director, Finning Group UK, said: “Hewden and Finning have gone through substantial restructuring in the last year as part of a programme to improve Finning Group's UK performance. The decision to focus on those business areas where we are established leaders has resulted in significant changes, including the sale of non core Finning and Hewden businesses.

"We are now well positioned to extend the gap between us and the competition in both our Caterpillar dealership and Hewden plant hire operations. Annette has proven through her work with Hewden that she has considerable strengths in both external and internal communications; she is the right person to drive communications across a group that is determined to increase still further its dominance of core markets through product and service excellence."

Previously the Director of Marketing at simulation firm Lanner Group Ltd, Annette's 18 years' Marketing and Communications experience spans various industries including construction, agriculture, IT and logistics.

Speaking of her promotion, Annette added: "Finning has undertaken a number of positive changes to the way it operates recently, and this creates an exciting proposition from a communications perspective. We want our staff, customers and suppliers to fully understand where the business is going and to join us on our journey."

Annette has a seven year-old son called Ben and in her spare time enjoys walking, running and swimming.