Thornton, who started up Cint’s UK operation in February after leaving panel firm Ciao Surveys, is now responsible for global sales strategy for all Cint’s products. Former sales director Rafael Pietrzyk remains in Stockholm and will now work on developing and marketing Cint’s omnibus solution Snabbasvar internationally.

Cint CEO Bo Mattsson said: “The move makes it possible for Cint to work closer to the big clients in the industry, and also opens up a much larger competence pool. The move also reflects the increasing international foot-print that Cint has been able to create during the last two years, and strengthens Cint´s ambition to be the global access exchange for the MR industry.”

The research software and services firm, which runs the Cint Panel Exchange, hopes the transition to the new London office will be complete by February 2010. There will be a new office and several new appointments to sales positions – some of which will be trained in London before being relocated to other markets.

Thornton told Research: “One of the challenges Cint has had to date is that we’re known as a Scandinavian firm – and we play on that heritage but we want to change the perception in the marketplace. Yes, we have a legacy in Scandinavia, but we offer global service and products, and have global coverage.”

Cint will be focusing on its existing core markets of the UK, Germany, the US and the Nordic countries, but also has “ambitious growth plans” for areas including the Netherlands, France and Asia.