Currently Deputy Managing Director of NOP Research Group, as well as Chairman of its subsidiaries NOP Business and NOP Financial, Ms Macfarlane started her career in 1969 as a statistician at MIL. In the interim, she held directorships at Denjon International, INDAL, MIL and NOP.

Her work at NOP Research Group has included responsibility for a number of key areas and initiatives in the company, including training and development, technology and software development. Additionally, she is CEO of UIG Business, the Group’s global practice in the IT, Telecommunications and Financial sectors.

According to Simon Chadwick, CEO of parent company United Information Group, "Phyllis is one of the most gifted managers in the industry today. She has a fascination for technology, a rare ability to get things done and is a true leader. We have entrusted NOP and our European operations to somebody that I believe will provide vision and leadership to our progress in the region".

Ms Macfarlane added, "NOP is one of the great names of market research and one which I will be proud to lead into the coming decade. As ever, our primary concern will be to work with clients to understand market developments and enable them to increase their market share. I also plan to focus on staff development to ensure that we have the right skills for the market research business of the future."