Countryside announced that it has hired Matthew Bench as group chief investment officer. As the company shifts all resources to its partnerships business, Matthew will be responsible for identifying, developing and enhancing long-term partnerships with a broad mix of public sector partners and local government, as well as private partners such as institutional investors. These will include PRS providers, housing associations and other registered providers. Having formerly been Group Partnerships Director at Crest Nicholson and previously Executive Director at Ilke Homes, Matthew brings 20 years of real estate experience specialising in public private partnerships and working with public sector landowners to bring forward major developments and regeneration projects.