Kirkham Will Not Seek TNS Chair

Mike Kirkham has decided to withdraw his candidature for the role of Chairman of TNS, after further consideration of UK Corporate Governance guidelines. The company's Board says it expects to be in a position to announce its choice 'within the next few weeks'.

Kirkham said the decision was 'appropriate' in the light of the guidelines' recommendation that only in exceptional circumstances should the Chief Executive of a company go on to become Chairman. He added 'I will fully support the new Chairman and the new Chief Executive, David Lowden, and will work with them for the future success of TNS.'

Kirkham originally accepted the TNS board's invitation to become a candidate for the role of Chairman when it announced the selection process in October 2005, along with the promotion of Lowden to CEO (www.mrweb.com/drno/news4684.htm ). Lowden, currently COO, succeeds Kirkham on 1 March.

This is the second time in a few weeks that such guidelines have been cited by a withdrawing senior researcher. FIND/SVP's Martin Franklin stepped down from its Board on 21st December after reviewing institutional shareholder guidelines in the US (DRNO www.mrweb.com/drno/news4982.htm ).

TNS' group home page is at www.tns-global.com.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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