Edwards becomes RI UK chief exec as Bond takes on innovation role
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UK-- Research International has announced another change at the top of its UK business, with chairman Paul Edwards and chief executive Julian Bond switching titles.
Edwards told Research today that he will take charge of the day-to-day running of the business as chief executive, while Bond focuses on global innovation and product development, and takes over as UK chairman.
Worldwide CEO Bob Meyers said Edwards “has a proven management track record and I am sure will do a superb job continuing the progress which Julian has made during 2007”.
It's the latest high-level reorganisation for a business that has seen more than its share of upheaval in recent years. Six months after joining as global CEO in May 2006, Mark Cranmer scrapped the firm's group management structure, making several directors redundant. Many more senior figures have left since.
Cranmer appointed Edwards to work alongside Bond in June last year, only to announce his own resignation before Edwards took up the role.
Edwards said: “Mark Cranmer was on an agenda for change, change, change, which was brilliant, but he's handed on the baton now to a more steady regime, so – touch wood – it will be a bit more stable now... The change has been done, we're in the shape that we need to be. It's now about getting it to work brilliantly to meet the future.”
Part of Bond's task as chairman will be to make the firm famous for “innovation research”, Edwards said. Bond has been with the company since 1982, and was responsible for developing its MicroTest simulated test market model.
Edwards, who began his MR career at Research International in 1978, rejoined last year from Publicis where he was UK chief strategy officer. He has also worked at BBH, Lowe and Y&R, and was CEO of the Henley Centre.
Read our full interview with Paul Edwards here.
Author: Robert Bain
Related links:
Ex-Millward Brown CEO Meyers takes over at RI
Cranmer quits global CEO position at RI
Edwards rejoins Research International as UK chairman
Bond to take CEO reigns at Research International UK
