Michael (pictured) joins from data collection and inventory specialist RGIS where he was based in the US as managing director of retail services.

Before his time at RGIS Michael was at at Synovate, where he was managing director for Central Europe and then executive vice president and head of ViewsNet online research.

Masmi has also named Himanshu Vaishampayan as group-wide account head, charged with developing partnerships with the firm’s largest clients.

Vaishampayan comes to the firm after 15 years with Royal Dutch Shell in the UK and India, where he was most recently in a global role implementing the company’s corporate brand strategy across all its businesses.

Masmi chairman Sergey Kolobanov said: “Michalis will expand our potential in both Western Europe and the fast-growing area of digital research, while Himanshu has a wealth of experience with major global companies. We warmly welcome them on board the Masmi team.”