Ship Steadied: Bretcha to Step Down as ESOMAR DG

Joaquim Bretcha has announced he is stepping down as Director General of global research and analytics industry association ESOMAR, citing 'Mission Accomplished'. He took the role in 2023 on an interim basis, during a difficult period for the membership org, but his tenure was later extended.

Bretcha was a member of ESOMAR's Council from 2015 to 2023, and the association's President from 2019 to 2021. In 2022 Finn Raben, DG for thirteen years, stepped down from the role, with a succession of short tenures and Interim DGs following, in the midst of which the association was forced to rerun Council elections, and later apologise for making unfounded accusations against an employee. Bretcha, who stepped in three months later replacing interim leader Pravin Shekar, was himself intended to serve on an interim basis, but was later asked to stay on.

Now Bretcha says that the 'critical moment in the organization's governance' has passed - 'this mission has been accomplished' - and indeed ESOMAR this year has undertaken a major exercise to listen to its members; overhauled its Code; returned to profit after three consecutive years of losses; and achieved record-breaking participation in its events, reaching a total of 17,500 attendees.

With ESOMAR in this 'healthy state,' Bretcha believes it is 'time to pass the baton'. In his statement on LinkedIn he specifically thanks Kristin Luck, Ray Poynter; and Anne-Sophie Damelincourt for their trust and support.

Between 2010 and 2023 Bretcha worked at Netquest, as MD Iberia and then International Director. Earlier, he worked for Synovate as Shopper & Retail Expert, and for Kantar as Retail Services Director, and before this he held senior marketing roles at supermarket groups Auchan and Carrefour Spain. As for the future, he says it is 'time to enjoy some well-earned days with my family and reflect on the next venture.' DRNO however will naturally hound him for news of what that may be, and report back to you.

Web site: www.esomar.org .