New Leader for GfK Retail & Tech as Hermet Retires

In Germany, GfK has appointed Dr Gerhard Hausruckinger to lead its Retail & Technology sector, replacing Dr Gérard Hermet who is stepping down from the role to retire after 26 years with the firm.

Hausruckinger will join GfK SE's Management Board on September 1 and, together with Hermet, will be jointly responsible for the Retail and Technology sector until the end of 2010 when Hermet leaves after a 30-year career in the market research industry.

During this period, Hermet's priority will be the further development of GfK Network Intelligence Solutions (GfK NIS), which analyses mobile Internet usage.

Most recently, Hausruckinger served as CEO at Emnos, a consultancy and service company which focuses on strategies for client-centered growth. Prior to this, he was MD of the consulting firm Accenture, where he was responsible for the retail sector in German-speaking countries. Hausruckinger commenced his career with Karstadt, and later joined Roland Berger Strategy Consultants where he latterly worked as a Partner for the consumer goods and retail division.

Hermet joined GfK in 1984 as MD of the French subsidiary GfK France (now GfK Retail and Technology France), while also managing GfK Custom Research France. He began his career in 1978 with Burke Marketing Research in Paris.

'Dr Gérard Hermet's great dedication has made Retail and Technology what it is today, a real gem in our service offering,' says Professor Dr Klaus Wübbenhorst, CEO of GfK SE. 'On behalf of the Management Board and all GfK employees, I would like to thank him wholeheartedly for his exceptional contribution to our company.'

Web site: www.gfk.com .