Edwards takes reins at Research International

by Nikki Sandison, Brand Republic 22-Jan-08, 14:00

LONDON - Research International's UK chairman Paul Edwards has swapped roles with UK chief executive Julian Bond.

Edwards, who arrived at the company last August, has taken the chief executive role and become a member of its worldwide management board.

Bond, who had been UK CEO since May 2006, is now a global product development champion as well as UK chairman.

Edwards began in the industry as a trainee at Research International and has worked in a number of senior roles, including chief executive of WPP-owned The Henley Centre and planning director at Bartle Bogle Hegarty, Lowe and Y&R

His last role before rejoining Research International was chief strategy officer at Publicis.

Bond joined Research International in 1982 and has worked on the use of computer modelling and advanced statistical analysis.

As director of RI's technical systems he was responsible for the analysis of development models worldwide.

Bob Meyers, worldwide CEO, said: "Paul has a proven management track record and I am sure will do a superb job continuing the progress which Julian has made during 2007."

WPP appointed Meyers, previously chief executive of its market research company Millward Brown, to take over from Mark Cranmer as global chief executive of Research International in August last year.