Nielsen in Hunt for New Chief Financial Officer

Nielsen's Chief Financial Officer and COO David Anderson has resigned and will leave the business at the end of the year. A search for a successor is underway with the assistance of an external search firm.

In November, Nielsen completed its strategic review, and announced plans to spin off its Global Connect business (similar, but not identical to the former 'Buy' segment), creating two independent publicly traded companies. CEO David Kenny says Anderson played an 'important role' during this critical time for the company.

Anderson (pictured) joined in September last year, after previous CFO Jamere Jackson left to join Hertz Corporation. Most recently, Anderson spent less than a year as CFO of Alexion Pharmaceuticals. From 2003 to 2014, he was SVP and CFO of Honeywell, before which he was CFO of diversified manufacturer ITT Industries and of Newport News Shipbuilding. He also spent five years as a divisional CFO at RJR Nabisco, and he has held financial roles at Kraft, and The Quaker Oats Company.

Kenny adds: 'We are full steam ahead in preparing for the separation of our Global Media and Global Connect businesses. As independent, publicly traded companies, Media and Connect will enjoy added flexibility and further strengthen their paths towards a new phase of growth, productivity and industry leadership. I'm confident in the quality and depth of our finance and accounting teams, which will ensure financial reporting continuity through the CFO transition'.

Web site: www.nielsen.com .