KEVIN Rowan has come a long way from humble beginnings as a teenage trade unionist.

On August 5, he takes over at the helm of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in the region.

Mr Rowan has been active in the union movement since he was 17.

Brought up in Barrow-in-Furness on the other side of the Pennines, on leaving school he spent ten years working in shipbuilding, where he had his first contact with the trades union movement.

When he was approaching his 18th birthday he became a shop steward and he has since held a number of positions within the movement.

Mr Rowan, 36, has held the position of education, research and legal officer at the GMB's northern regional office, in Newcastle, since 1997.

In his capacity as GMB legal officer he was involved in a range of campaigns, including the recent high-profile, and ultimately successful, campaign to overturn the Court of Appeal decision on the Fairchild asbestos litigation case.

In his new role as TUC northern regional secretary Mr Rowan hopes to develop the organisation's profile and increase understanding of the trades union movement.

"There is a lack of understanding of what trades unions do," he said.

"Trades unions don't demonstrate where they make a difference and I hope to get the general public and politicians to realise what we actually do."

He believes the North-East has one of the lowest skill levels and the highest level of unemployment and he wants to tackle this with vigour.

"Economic regeneration in the North of England is a high priority, and I hope to build on the TUC's influence in the region to tackle problems of unemployment, lack of skills and the decline in manufacturing.

"Trades union contributions to the skills agenda have meant that they are well placed and effective social partners. This will continue to benefit our regional economy as a whole."

His predecessor at the TUC, Paul Nowak, has taken up a new position with the congress in London.