Profits Up as YouGov Hires Blue Blood

UK-based online researcher YouGov has announced that operating profit for the year ended 31 July 2010 was 'significantly ahead' of the prior year period. The firm has also appointed Camilla Parker Bowles' nephew Ben Elliot as a non-executive Director.

In April, the firm reported a decline in both turnover (down 6% to £21.3m) and operating profit (down 16% to £1.35m). However, for the year ended 31 July 2010, YouGov says there were particularly encouraging performances in Scandinavia, the UK and the USA. Profitability in the second half of the year for the Scandinavian business has followed its restructuring in the first half.

Elliot joins the firm as a non-executive Director. He is the Co-Chairman of 24-hour concierge services firm Quintessentially, a firm he co-founded in 2000 whose members / clients include his aunt Camilla Parker Bowles - the second wife of Prince Charles - Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Scarlett Johansson and Madonna. Quintessentially now operates in 53 cities and employs nearly 700 people worldwide.

Elliot has also set up the Quintessentially Foundation, a charitable fund working with charities around the world including UNICEF, AmfAR and The Soil Association. Prior to founding the firm, he helped set up several other companies including K-Bar and members clubs Rock and Kabaret.

'The Board is delighted to welcome Ben as a non-executive director,' states Chairman Roger Parry. 'We are confident that his broad commercial knowledge, entrepreneurial skills and successes and his experience of international business will be a great asset to YouGov.'

Web site: www.yougov.com .