Kelly Beaver Takes Over as Ipsos Global CEO

Ipsos has promoted Kelly Beaver to global CEO, replacing Jean Laurent Poitou who is leaving after a year in the role to focus on 'personal projects.

Beaver (pictured), whose appointment was approved unanimously at a board meeting on July 30th, is an Honorary Fellow of the MRS and in June 2022 was awarded an MBE for services to academia, research and the COVID-19 response. She has worked at the company for the past fifteen years, in roles including Head of UK Public Affairs, and CEO for the UK and Ireland since 2021. Most recently, she was Chair of Ipsos' Global Healthcare Service Line. Prior to joining the company, she worked as an economist and consultant at PwC and at Coffey International Ltd, across European and international markets.

Accenture veteran Poitou became CEO a year ago upon the relatively sudden departure of longtime Ipsos UK leader Ben Page, who had served as global Chief Exec for around four years. The Board says it commends Poitou for his work, 'particularly for launching the Horizons strategic plan last January and the reorganization that has been carried out,' - and wishes him every success in his future projects. Poitou himself says working with the teams at Ipsos was an 'immense pleasure' and comments: 'I am proud and happy to have contributed to writing a new chapter in Ipsos' success story and to have fulfilled the mission entrusted to me by the Board.' He adds: 'I am confident in Kelly's abilities to further strengthen Ipsos' growth and leadership.'

Laurence Stoclet, President of the Board of Directors, describes Beaver as 'an experienced professional with deep industry knowledge, identified as part of the succession plans developed by the Board.' Beaver herself states: 'It is a privilege to lead Ipsos, a company whose purpose, people and potential I deeply believe in. Committed to its values - integrity, curiosity, collaboration, customer focus, and entrepreneurship, I have been continually inspired by the talent of our teams worldwide. At a time of growing demand for trusted insights powered by data, technology and human expertise, Ipsos is uniquely positioned to strengthen its leadership and drive long-term growth.'

The global group has close on 20,000 employees and is online at www.ipsos.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.