The office will be led by client development director Samy Abdelhay (pictured) who has been with the firm for two years and will concentrate on promoting Research Now in Spain.

He was previously based at the company’s London office where he was responsible for the firm’s activities in Spain. The firm is looking to employ a client development executive to support Abdelhay in Madrid, and is keeping another four members of staff in London to concentrate on Spanish projects.

Phil Rance, Research Now’s managing director for Europe, said: “Having a dedicated, skilled employee firmly positioned will allow us to provide an ever closer understanding of our Spanish clients’ needs, in turn furthering our offerings and delivery of reliable fieldwork. Samy is delighted to be nearer to the market and will be focusing on effectively providing access to a wide range of research expertise and high quality international panels.”

It was announced last week that Research Now is to be taken over by US panel firm e-Rewards in an £85m deal.