New Leader for Synovate's African Response

Synovate has appointed Mamapudi Nkgadima to lead its South African subsidiary African Response - she becomes Managing Director next week. Current MD Beatrice Kubheka moves to the position of Chairperson and will remain closely involved with the business.

Nkgadima brings 20 years of market research experience including seven as boss of her own firm, MEDU Strategic Marketing and Research; and thirteen years in marketing at Standard Bank, Unilever, Danone Clover and SC Johnson. She was educated at UCT, Wits and UNISA and holds an MBL, a PDM and a Bachelor of Social Science.

Jon Salters, CEO for Synovate Africa, says Nkgadima's appointment will help the firm to strengthen the 'real empathy and understanding for the client's business needs' which are key to outstanding MR. He adds: 'We are confident she will take African Response to even greater heights with her strategic leadership as well as her wealth of experience and technical knowledge in market research, marketing and entrepreneurship.'

Of Kubheka he states: 'Beatrice made a massive contribution to the success of African Response during her tenure and we are thrilled that she will be staying with us until her retirement. She has become one of the most recognised, respected and well liked figures in the South African market research industry.'

Web sites are at www.africanresponse.co.za and www.synovate.com .