Jeffrey (pictured) replaces Shirley Benney who will stay with the firm as chief operating officer. He joins from Synovate where he was most recently group client services director for sub-Saharan Africa and global mystery shopping operations director.

Before Synovate, Jeffrey spent 14 years with UK-based Lodge Group where he headed a number of the firm’s South African subsidiaries, including React Surveys between 1993 and 2001.

Shane Farrell, Ipsos’ CEO for Central and Eastern Europe and Africa, said: “Ipsos continues to invest in South Africa as a key opportunity within the region and Ian’s appointment is part of this process. We will continue to make high-level appointments to enhance our specialist offerings in the country.”

On Benney, Farrell said: “Shirley’s new role fits with optimising and expanding the group’s operating capabilities and South Africa has been highlighted as a key market for expansion.”