Former Aegis Media CEO is New BARB Chairman

Nigel Sharrocks, previously CEO of Aegis Media Global Brands, has joined UK TV ratings body BARB as Chairman, succeeding Nigel Walmsley who moves on after eleven years in the role.

BARB (the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board) provides viewing figures for UK television audiences, and is funded by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, the IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising), and Sky. On behalf of these organisations and other subscribers, BARB commissions Ipsos MORI, Kantar Media and RSMB to collect data that represent the TV viewing behaviour of the UK's 26 million TV households.

Sharrocks (pictured), who is married to BBC presenter Fiona Bruce, recently served as CEO of Aegis Media Global Brands, where he led the Carat, Vizeum and Posterscope networks. He joined Aegis in 2004 from Warner Bros Pictures UK, where he had served as MD since 1999. Earlier in his career, Sharrocks held senior roles at WPP-owned Grey Advertising and MediaCom.

Outgoing Chairman Walmsley joined BARB's Board in 2002, having previously served as Deputy CEO of ITV-owned Carlton, and as Chairman of GMTV. Prior to this, he was MD of Capital Radio, Director of Marketing at the Post Office, and Assistant Secretary at the Department of Industry.

BARB Board Director Paul Bainsfair, who is also Director General of the IPA, said Walmsley had been an 'excellent chair' of BARB, adding: 'He hands over a strong and confident BARB to Nigel Sharrocks, who brings a rich heritage of business leadership, is a highly-respected figure in the agency and marketing community and has real insight into the challenges and opportunities ahead.'

Web site: www.barb.co.uk .