Phyllis Macfarlane to Take MRS Chair

In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) has announced that former GfK NOP Head Phyllis Macfarlane will become its new Chairman in April, following the completion of Vanella Jackson's two-year term.

Since January, Macfarlane (pictured) has served as GfK's Global Training Director - Consumer Experiences, having been GfK NOP's Chairman for the previous two years, and MD for the previous four, since NOP World's acquisition by GfK. She had worked at NOP since 1996, latterly as MD. Earlier in her career, Macfarlane held roles at INDAL Business Research (later to become NOP Corporate & Financial), MIL Research Group and Denjon.

She will take on the MRS Chair from Jackson - who is Hall & Partners' Global CEO - in April, at which point Jackson will become MRS Vice President.

Commenting on her election, Macfarlane said: 'I am truly honoured that the MRS membership has selected me for the Chairmanship following the successful role that Vanella Jackson has played at the organisation. The UK is the second largest research market in the world and it is vital that MRS leads the way in developing the international agenda, sharing our experience and expertise to address today's global research challenges. I am excited about the prospect of working closely with Jane Frost, the newly-appointed MRS CEO, and Rita Clifton, its President, to deliver a better MRS for all.'

The elections also saw 12 MRS members from a wide range of disciplines standing for four seats on the MRS Council. These were won by Liz Nelson, Fly Research; Crispin Beale, Chime Insight & Engagement Group; Stephen Bairfelt, Purple Market Group; and Kirsty Fuller, Flamingo.

Web site: www.mrs.org.uk .