Carl Hopkins, the former chairman of the JDA Group has been appointed non-executive chairman of Manchester’s Alvaston Media plc, specialists in acquiring and investing in advertising agencies and media companies.

Hopkins had been with JDA since 1984, until the business was sold this year. Mark Brown, managing director of Alvaston Media said Hopkins’ experience is “testament to the fact that he is sure to achieve great things with us.”

Hopkins said that he hoped by acquiring and investing in talented individuals and companies, Alvaston would add to its service offering and skills base.