A NEW representative is at the helm of a federation of trade union’s south east branch.

Sam Gurney, pictured, has been appointed as the Trades Union Congress’s (TUC) new south east regional secretary, taking over from Megan Dobney, who is retiring after 11 years in the post.

Mr Gurney will be the TUC’s senior representative across the region, which has more than 670,000 union members.

The 44-year-old, the son of South African anti-apartheid campaigner and former government minister Aziz Pahad, has over 15 years’ experience as a union organiser and official.

He said: “Now is a very challenging time for the south east. As well as the Brexit uncertainty hanging over the region, many families have seen their living standards squeezed.

“South east workers are still more than £40 a week worse off, on average, than before the financial crash.

“I am determined to stand up for working people in this region. I look forward to working with unions, employers and local government to make the south east a better place to live.

“It’s an honour to represent this region’s 670,000 union members as the TUC approaches its 150th anniversary.”