New Kantar CEO is Former P&G and Heineken Exec

In London, Kantar has appointed long-time Procter & Gamble exec Alexis Nasard as Chief Executive Officer, effective 30th December. He replaces Eric Salama, who left the business in February.

At the end of last year, WPP sold a 60% stake in Kantar to private equity firm Bain Capital, with total aggregate net proceeds of around £2.4bn ($3.1bn). In December, Kantar announced that Salama had decided to step down from his role at some point in 2020, then in mid-February, he left the business. Salama now sits on the Board of consumer insights platform Morning Consult, and is Chair of the Board of Trustees of charity Comic Relief.

Nasard (pictured) brings nearly 30 years' experience in the FMCG and retail sectors. He is currently CEO of footwear manufacturer Bata Group, before which he spent six years at Heineken, latterly as President of Western Europe Business and Global CMO. Earlier, he spent seventeen years at Procter & Gamble, in a variety of marketing and general management roles.

Commenting on his appointment, Nasard says Kantar's insights have informed many of the strategies and plans he and his teams have led throughout his career. Kantar Chairman Adam Crozier comments: 'As a former CMO and client, Alexis understands the value Kantar delivers, and the role it plays in advising the world's biggest consumer brands. As we transform our business and position ourselves for growth, Alexis' leadership and international experience will be instrumental in fulfilling the ambition that we have for Kantar'.

Web site: www.kantar.com .