Padbury (pictured) joins the firm from food and grocery information provider IGD where she was senior consumer analyst and responsible for carrying out consumer and shopper research.

Before that she was at TNS where she focused on grocery, drinks and personal care research and worked with clients including Boots, Procter & Gamble and Cereal Partners.

Lucia Juliano, head of consumer research at Harris Interactive, said: “We are delighted that Gerardine has joined the consumer team. She brings a wealth of food, drink and retail experience and will be pivotal in expanding our proposition with new and existing clients.”