Colin Strong Leaving GfK to Join Verve

Colin Strong, UK Head of Industry, GfK, is leaving at the end of March after nineteen years with the business, to join online communities specialist Verve in the newly created position of Managing Director of Verve Ventures. Meanwhile GfK has announced three senior appointments of its own.

Strong (pictured) joined GfK in 1996, and became MD of the firm's Business & Technology division in 2009. He began his career in 1989 as a psychology researcher at St Mary's Hospital, before joining Missing Link Software and Technology in a sales and marketing role. He then worked for four years at FDS International, initially as an SRE. In March, he will join Verve Ventures, an expansion of the firm's offering.

GfK UK CEO Richard Jameson comments: 'Colin has made an important contribution to the company over almost two decades with the business. We will be sad to see him leave, and wish him well with his new endeavours.'

In addition, GfK has promoted Babita Earle to Head of Industry in the Consumer Experiences business in the UK (which has recently been relocated to Canary Wharf), and Ben Walton to UK Head of Market Opportunities & Innovation, while appointing Ben Weedon as Director of User Experience.

Web site: www.gfk.com .