Helion Appoints Leaders for New South African HQ

Mystery shopping and retail audit specialist Helion Research has opened an African regional HQ in Johannesburg, led by Customer Experience Agency founders Ian Jeffrey and Ronelle Van Rensburg.

Antwerp, Belgium-based Helion offers access to a 250,000-strong field force in more than 100 countries - including 30 countries across Africa, plus operations in Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia.

Jeffrey, who is MD of the new office, worked at Ipsos as Global Support Director - Mystery Shopping, and CEO of Ipsos Markinor prior to co-founding the Customer Experience Agency. Earlier, he served as Global Mystery Shopping Operations Director at Synovate, after spending eight years at REACT Surveys as MD.

Van Rensburg, who is Client Director in the new set-up, also previously served as MD of REACT Surveys, and spent six years at Toyota.

Thomas Schimmel, founder and CEO of Helion Research, comments: 'Ian and Ronelle are great additions to our global management team. They both have a wealth of experience in the mystery shopping domain, with extensive knowledge of research in the African region. The growth potential in Africa is enormous, and we are looking forward to working in partnership with clients to develop opportunities in these rapidly growing markets.'

Web site: www.helionresearch.com .