Owens has held international and senior roles at Unilever, Sainsbury’s and Lloyds Banking Group, working in digital and analytics transformation.

He will input into the MRS board’s considerations on strategy and the way MRS interacts with its members.

Rebecca Cole, newly appointed chair of MRS, said: “I am delighted to welcome Alex, who brings a wealth of experience to help the MRS board steer the sector through the transformation ahead.”

Jane Frost CBE, chief executive, MRS, said: “Alex brings his many successes in the area of transformation of analytics and digital information in consumer-facing and business-facing roles round the world. He will be a real benefit to the debates at the main board.” 

Alex said: “My focus is simple: use my experience to help MRS help its members navigate that change, strengthen skills and standards and optimise the use of technology and analytics  without losing what makes insight valuable. I see this appointment as my chance to help ensure MRS retains its trusted position and is future fit for tomorrow.”

The board of MRS is made up of MRS members elected by the organisation’s membership from across the research sector.

Following their election earlier this year, Elaine Francis, Hannah Rogers, Sam Salama and Daniel Singham have joined the board.