Russell will be based at the Kantar’s London headquarters and report to chief executive Eric Salama.

She has been charged with steering people and career development, organisational development and HR best practice across the group.

Salama said: “We cannot hope to be the kind of partner to our clients that we want to be without having committed, engaged people across the group, playing to their strengths and equipped with the skills and tools which they need to succeed. Our client and talent agendas are inextricably linked.”

Russell said: “It is critical for me to be passionate about the business in which I operate and in Kantar I have that opportunity. I am looking forward to the opportunity to create and drive a highly commercial world class HR function capable of building the talent necessary to deliver and drive the agenda of Kantar’s clients.”