Event management and marketing company Polar Productions has announced the appointment of Bill Midgley, president of the British Chambers of Commerce, as a non-executive director.

Polar Productions has been in operation since 2000, specialising in city centre events.

Polar has been behind open-air ice rinks at sites throughout the country, including Middlesbrough, Cardiff, Dublin, Sunderland and Gateshead.

Mr Midgley, a banker, retired from the Newcastle Building Society in July 1998, having been chief executive and executive vice-chairman during 20 years with the company. He had previously been employed in banking and financial services.

Since his retirement, he has become president of the North East Chamber of Commerce and chairman of Durham County Cricket Club, and has expanded his interests in various businesses and charities.