Synovate's Acquisitions Man Joins Verve

New London-based technology, telecoms and media research provider Verve has hired former Synovate CEO/CFO Peter Chopra as Partner, Strategic Finance and International Development.

Chopra worked on the development of what was to become Synovate in 1999, while serving as Deputy Group Finance Director at the Aegis Group. In 2001, he moved to a full-time role as CFO and in 2006 he took on the additional role of CEO Synovate UK. During his time with the firm, Chopra completed and successfully integrated more than 40 acquisitions which took the business from $137m of revenue and 900 staff in two countries to $750m with 6,000 staff in 52 countries.

He left in 2007 to set up Great Outcomes - a firm which provides corporate finance support and advice to firms planning to sell or merge their businesses or make acquisitions. Chopra qualified as a Barrister-at-law in Gray's Inn and a Chartered Accountant at KPMG.

Commenting on his appointment, Chopra said: 'Verve is developing a tremendous proposition for clients and staff. While my own focus will be on building the business both inside and outside the UK, we will look to accelerate the firm's ambitious strategy with mergers and acquisitions if and when that is appropriate.'

Launched in December by former Research Now, Hall & Partners and iD Factor chiefs Andrew Cooper, Mike Hall and Jon Gumbrell, the Shoreditch-based firm is online at www.haveverve.com .