Meera Sunnasy – Research Hero
Meera Sunnasy, deputy chief financial officer and director of financial reporting, Ipsos
Meera Sunnasy began her career at PwC as an auditor and progressed through various financial accounting roles to her current leadership position.
Meera joined Ipsos 20 years ago as financial controller, and thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoying the daily challenges her role brings, supported by a strong team and an inspiring manager.
Meera says she is guided by values of integrity, the right conduct and harmony between thought, word and action. She says her leadership philosophy is centred on leading by example; building trust, empowering teams and fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
Meera was nominated because she is " the glue that bonds a large, geographically dispersed, diverse finance function."
1. What is the biggest challenge you have faced during your career?
There have been quite a few. One of the defining challenges in my career has been overcoming self-doubt early on. Having come from a small country, I often felt out of my depth when I first arrived in the UK. Despite this, with my husband’s support, I pursued my professional qualifications entirely by correspondence while raising two young children, which required resilience and discipline. Returning to the workplace after a five-year break was another significant hurdle, as I had to quickly adapt to a very different and evolving environment.
These experiences tested my confidence, but they also strengthened my adaptability and perseverance. With the support of strong mentors and leadership at Ipsos, I have grown into a more confident and authentic leader, while staying grounded in the values that have guided me throughout my journey.
2. What will be the next big trend or development in the research industry, and why?
AI is undoubtedly reshaping the market research industry; accelerating innovation, improving productivity and enabling faster decision-making. But technology alone won’t be the differentiator. The real edge will come from balancing AI with genuine human insight, maintaining access to real people and leveraging diverse capabilities. In an increasingly complex and uncertain environment, success will depend on speed, collaboration across different areas of expertise, and continued investment in strong leadership and talent.
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