In the role, Pollard will present views of member parties in the region and propose both regional and national policies while overseeing work carried out in the locality.

Pollard, who has been with Paragon for 11 years and operations manager since 2005, has encouraged training at the company with all staff at its Sunderland site qualified to NVQ level 2.

He said that in the position "the decisions are made on behalf of all employees within this sector."

"Times are hard for everyone and it is important that there is some level of legislation to maintain control in even the most turbulent of times," Pollard added.

In October last year, Paragon Group recorded an 8% growth in turnover to €173m (£135m) for the year-ending 30 June 2008.