McNamara leaves IRI UK after strategic review

UK-- Information Resources' (IRI) UK managing director Jeremy McNamara has left the retail data firm following a review of the “strategic direction of the business and an assessment of key opportunities and management imperatives”, according to a statement.

No reason has been given for McNamara's departure beyond that, but the company said it was his decision to leave.

Nigel Howlett, IRI's president of international operations, was unavailable for further comment today.

The company has hired Blair Ruelens, the former group director and executive vice president of global sales for Cadbury Schweppes, to replace McNamara.

Prior to Cadbury, Ruelens held senior sales positions with General Mills, Pillsbury and XL Foods. He began his career at Procter & Gamble.

Howlett said: “I am delighted to have hired an executive of such outstanding calibre. The UK market presents us with a wide range of opportunities which we need to swiftly develop.

“As we continue our transformation from just data and insights delivery to a truly collaborative solutions business, we are increasingly partnering with FMCG and retail companies to provide critical decision support solutions which can fundamentally transform their return on sales and marketing resources.”

IRI UK recently won a bid to become the sole supplier of retail data to Nestlé UK.

Author: Brian Tarran

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