David Miliband joins Kantar Public

Miliband (pictured) was foreign secretary between 2007 and 2010 under the Gordon Brown administration and was MP for South Shields between 2001 and 2013.

Before taking up his role as foreign secretary, Miliband held several other roles in UK politics, including minister for schools 2002 to 2004 and secretary of state for the environment, food and rural affairs from 2006 to 2007, as well as was head of the Downing Street Policy Unit from 1997 to 2001.

Miliband’s most recent role is president and chief executive of the humanitarian charity International Rescue Committee, which he has led since 2013.

Matthew Postgate has also been appointed as no-executive director at Kantar Public.

Postgate was previously chief technology and product officer at the BBC, where he helped build the organisation’s mobile services and was part of the team that conceived and launched BBC iPlayer.

He currently works in climate technology and is lead NEM at UK Strategic Command within the Ministry of Defence.

As well as his role at Kantar Public, Postgate is also a non-executive director at Arqiva and M2A Media, and is also a member of the Raspberry Pi foundation and a fellow at the Zinc start-up incubator.

Existing members of the Kantar Public global management board are: Joe Cohen, founder, Anthony Bellau, managing director and Lorenzo Cirio, principal, all from Trilantic Europe; Dr Michelle Harrison, global chief executive officer; Zarina Ward, global chief people officer; and Mark Hinton-Jones, global chief financial officer.

Eric Salama, global chair at Kantar Public, said: “Given our evidence and advisory work across the public policy spectrum, and the growing role that technology plays in collecting and making sense of multiple data streams, I am thrilled that David and Matthew are joining our global board as non-executive directors with immediate effect. 

“Both bring a diversity of thought, experience, expertise and deep understanding of the evolving issues affecting societies and citizens around the world along with an ability to help us and our clients create even greater impact.”

Miliband added: “I love the purpose that sits at the heart of this business – delivering better outcomes for individuals, governments, society as a whole, and particularly for those whose voices may not otherwise be heard. 

“I’m excited to work with Eric and the wider team at Kantar Public on this unique business.”

Postgate said: “I’ve been involved in the benefits that technology innovation and transformation can bring when truly aligned to human needs and challenges for over 20 years.

“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to be part of the journey with Eric and the rest of the team.”