Synovate Names New UK CEO and Hong Kong MD

Jill Telford, Synovate's CEO for Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea, is moving to London in January to take up the post of UK CEO. At the same time, Brendan Shair will become Managing Director for Hong Kong.

Telford was promoted to her current role in July 2007, having previously held the position which Shair is soon to step in to, since 1999. She began her research career in London 22 years ago, and then moved to Asia to work in Japan and Hong Kong.

During the next two months, existing UK head Michelle Norman will hand over her role to Telford before leaving to spend more time with her family.

'Jill has been with Synovate for many years and has very successfully run one of the company's largest, most established and widely recognised offices,' said COO Robert Philpott. 'Her extensive experience of working in one of the most dynamic and highly diverse parts of the world will enable her to effectively leverage the company's talent and capabilities in the UK.'

As Telford leaves Asia, Shair will take up his new post. A qualitative specialist with more than13 years' experience in Asia and Europe, his expertise in brand image and tracking, advertising development, new product development, motivational research and lifestyle studies span a number of industries from banking and finance to IT and telecoms.

Synovate, the market research arm of Aegis Group, employs more than 6,000 staff across 62 countries.

Web site: www.synovate.com .