Sutton (pictured) has spent 20 years in operational management, with 14 years working in fieldwork management in the market and social research sectors.

He has previously worked at organisations including Telewest,Capita, Peak Answers and, most recently, NatCen, where he was senior field manager, leading a remote team of six field performance managers and 150 full-time external survey interviewers.

At Birmingham-based MEL Research, Sutton will be responsible for developing and overseeing processes for outbound call centre (CATI) and face-to-face (CAPI/CASI) fieldwork.

He is also working with the company’s senior management team to identify areas in which the fieldwork offer could be expanded.

Elliot Simmonds, client solutions director, MEL Research, said: "Paul’s expertise in fieldwork operations is difficult to match, and we are excited to have someone of his calibre join our team.

"His proven leadership skills and commitment to delivering exceptional results will be integral as we continue to provide top-notch market research services to our clients and he is already providing ideas for developing our offer, as well as confidence that he has ‘been there and done it’ before."