Hong Kong, March 5th 2009 - Following the recent merger of TNS with Research International, TNS has today announced the new Regional Operating Board for the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa (ALM) region.
Led by former TNS Regional Managing Director Jamie Hall, who assumes overall responsibility for the region in the role of ALM CEO, the new team will be responsible for the overall leadership and strategic development of the region.
Supporting Jamie in North Asia will be Heather Payne, previously Asia Pacific CEO for Research International who moves into the position of TNS Regional Director for Korea, Japan, China and Taiwan. David Richardson, who previously held this role, will move across to a lead global client role. Heather will also take Board responsibility for the company’s International Research Centre and the combined operations of Hong Kong and Singapore. In South Asia, Stephen Jenke will continue his regional responsibilities for the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam as well as taking on responsibility for ALM Operations and IT.
Outside Asia, Wander Meijer and Steve Hamilton-Clark will continue to lead the Latin America (LATAM) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions respectively with the company’s operations in Africa, India and Oceania being headed by Chris Riquier, former TNS Managing Director of Oceania.
Similarly, Clive Little retains his regional role in charge of the company’s ‘Areas of Expertise’ (including Business Solutions and incorporating qualitative and marketing analytics) in addition to his overall responsibility for ‘Sectors’. James Fergusson, previously responsible for Sectors will have a specific remit for the Emerging Market Strategy and associated Business Development.
Other notable new appointments see Paul Durant, previously TNS Asia Pacific Regional Finance Director, becoming Regional Chief Financial Officer. Paul will be supported by Steve Gardner whose new role of Regional Finance Director encompasses a number of specific geographies as well as that of Financial Director responsible for integration. Retaining her regional responsibility for People and Culture is Michelle Griffin who will be supported by Alice Lee in her new senior regional role, and will interface heavily with former Research International Group HR Director Catherine Connolly, now Global Head of HR for the merged businesses.
Stepping down from the TNS Board and transitioning into consulting roles are John Smurthwaite, former TNS ALM Chairman, and Stuart Campbell-Morris who was previously Regional Director for Middle East, Africa and India.
CEO of ALM, Jamie Hall said: “The new Board has a formidable wealth of experience and expertise that will dramatically impact our drive to excel as the number one custom research business in the world. The strength of talent in the ALM region means we can succeed in supporting the global, regional and local teams during this exciting and very active period in the history of TNS.”
- ENDS -
For further information on TNS and Research International please visit www.tnsglobal.com or www.research-int.com and for more details about the wider changes within the Kantar Group visit www.kantargrouptns.com.
About TNS
TNS is a global market information and insight group. Its strategic goal is to be recognised as the global leader in delivering value-added information and insights that help its clients make more effective business decisions. TNS delivers innovative thinking and excellent service across more than 70 countries. Working in partnership with clients, TNS provides high-quality information, analysis and insight that improves understanding of consumer behavior. www.tnsglobal.com
TNS is the sixth sense of business™.
About Research International
Research International (www.research-int.com) is a division of Kantar, WPP’s unparalleled consultancy network. As one of the world’s largest custom research organizations, we make it our
business to provide the invaluable knowledge and insights that gives our clients the power to succeed. Whether launching new products and services or looking to strengthen existing brands, Research International is poised to deliver best-in-class solutions. http://www.research-int.com/
The Kantar Group
The Kantar Group is one of the world's largest research, insight and consultancy networks. By uniting the diverse talents of more than 20 specialist companies – including the recently-acquired TNS – the group aims to become the pre-eminent provider of compelling and actionable insights for the global business community. Its 26,500 employees work across 80 countries and across the whole spectrum of research and consultancy disciplines, enabling the group to offer clients business insights at each and every point of the consumer cycle. The group’s services are employed by over half of the Fortune Top 500 companies. The Kantar Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of WPP Group plc. For further information, please visit www.kantargrouptns.com
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