MARU Group Hires Chief People Officer

In Canada, tech-enabled MR and customer insights group MARU Group has appointed Dina Plahouras as Chief People Officer. She replaces Sarah Redford, who joined the executive team at software company Globalive Technology in May.

Since its launch in 2016, MARU has acquired eDigitalResearch, Vision Critical's North American Research Consulting division (since re-named Maru/Matchbox with an added Qualitative Insights arm), survey technology platform Usurv, customer experience tech firm SynGro, and Hispanic panel Tú Cuentas. The firm has also launched a respondent access division called Maru/Blue; a multi-market community-based intelligence platform Global Connect; and the Maru Voice; and has opened offices in Buenos Aires, London, New York and San Francisco.

Plahouras (pictured) joins with more than 25 years' human resources experience, focused on organisational change and the creation and implementation of human capital practices. Most recently, she served as Senior Director of Organisational Change Management at Weston Foods, a North American bakery with over 4,000 employees. She joined the company in 2006 as an HR Manager in Ontario and was promoted to the role of Regional and National HR Director in Canada, before her final position with the firm. Earlier, she held managerial positions in companies including Magna International, Cinram and Carpenter Canada.

Group CEO Ged Parton comments: 'Dina has an excellent track record in leading and developing strategic HR programmes and a proven ability to drive collaboration that fosters innovative cultures across large organisations. We are committed to developing and supporting talent across Maru; and as Chief People Officer, Dina will play an integral role in upholding these values across the group as it continues to grow both organically and through acquisition'.

Web site: www.marugroup.net .