Kantar's Michael Davis Set to Lead NatCen

UK social research organisation NatCen has announced the appointment of Kantar's Michael Davis as Chief Executive, starting in late August and replacing Guy Goodwin, who has held the role since 2017. Between now and August the Centre will be led by Deputy Chief Executive Gillian Prior.

NatCen (The National Centre for Social Research) is a registered charity and the largest independent social research organisation in the UK, working for and partnering with governments, NGOs, charities and others to investigate topics from climate change to health via crime, education, employment, travel, social attitudes and families. Its work includes one-off projects and complex, multi-year social surveys. NatCen's Centre for Evaluation helps organisations discover what is and isn't working in their programmes and policies, and why, to steer funds and resources and make the most positive impact on society.

The charity announced in September that it was seeking a new Chief Exec after Goodwin announced his intention to step down this month.

Davis is currently the Chief Business Performance Officer at Kantar, responsible for its business performance cycle and executional focus. He joined the global insights group seven years ago as Global COO for Kantar Public, now divested and known as Verian. Before Kantar he was UK MD of research consultancy Ecorys and CEO of non-departmental public sector body the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.

Goodwin (pictured) joined in 2016 from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) where he was the Director of Social and Analysis, responsible for publications on a range of policy areas. He also served as UK Director of Social Statistics at the European Union, after working for more than twenty years in leadership roles in the Government Statistical Service, including Director of Population and Demography and Head of Social Data collection.

Sir Stuart Etherington, Chair of NatCen's Board of Trustees, says of the change: 'We are delighted that Michael is joining the National Centre for Social Research. He brings both experience and enthusiasm to the role of CEO as the organisation moves into its next stage of development. And, as our current CEO, Guy Goodwin, hands over the reins, I'd like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Guy and thank him for his contribution to NatCen's growth over the last 8 years'.

Davis himself says of the challenge ahead: 'NatCen has an incredibly strong sense of purpose - a belief that social research has the power to make life better. I'm really looking forward to working with all of the NatCen team to help bring that purpose to its full potential. NatCen are investing in technology and new capabilities to expand the scale and reach of their expertise. This is a great time to be joining an organisation with an outstanding 50 year plus track record and still with even more to offer in the years ahead'.

Web site: www.natcen.ac.uk .