A NORTH-EAST banknote printer has revealed its new chief executive.

De La Rue, which has its main printing factory in Gateshead, has appointed BAE Systems managing director Martin Sutherland.

The move comes after the departure of Tim Cobbold in March.

Mr Sutherland will take up his post by Monday, October 13.

Philip Rogerson, De La Rue chairman, said: "The board is delighted to appoint Martin.

"He brings strong commercial skills and wide experience of growing technologically demanding businesses supplying governments and financial institutions worldwide."

De La Rue prints more than 150 national currencies, including Bank of England notes, and is also the largest commercial passport provider.

Last year, The Northern Echo revealed it had secured a three-year Bangladesh contract to supply millions of passports.

The company also confirmed it wanted to make the bank's new polymer-based notes, which could replace existing cotton paper currency by 2016.

It has already made plastic money for Fiji and Mauritius.