Marc Hardwick, previously director of business intelligence at Capita, will take on the role. He has also held roles at London & Partners, Datamonitor and Whitbread.

The announcement is part of the company’s three year growth strategy which included the aim to expand beyond the EMEA time zone.

Andrew Hawkins, ComRes founder and chairman, said: “We are treating the EU referendum result as an encouragement to get out there and trade.

“Europe, the Middle East and Africa have traditionally been our most important overseas markets but we are increasingly seeing potential further afield, and China in particular offers exciting opportunities for a company with our expertise.

“There are three fantastic opportunities for ComRes: first, we are supporting our existing European clients with insight as they expand into Asia; second, we will be supporting Asian investors with due diligence as they move into European markets,; but our ultimate ambition is to work with Chinese businesses in their domestic market, bringing with us our decades of experience."