Synovate restructures Asian function

The market research arm of Aegis Group, Synovate, has come out with a new organisational structure for its Asian business, designed to promote further growth and better align the company with the needs of its clients.

Part of the global, ongoing 'From Now to Wow' programme announced in August 2006, the new structure will see Synovate's Asian operations form the three smaller business unit groupings - called Strategic Units (SUs) – of China, North Asia and South Asia.

"Presently home to over a third of the company’s entire staff, Synovate realised a long time ago that Asia will be a springboard for our above-market growth rate and we have invested in our business here accordingly,” says Synovate global CEO, Adrian Chedore.

He further emphasised the new Strategic Units will build upon the strong business Synovate has established in Asia and help drive further growth in this fast-developing region.

“The opportunities for growth in Asia remain enormous and the new structure will further sharpen Synovate’s focus on this part of the world,” adds Adrian.

Shanghai-based Andrew has spent 21 years in market research, previously working in New Zealand, the UK and Hong Kong, and assumed responsibility for Synovate's mainland China business in 2003, guiding it through four years of exceptional growth.

Tim Balbirnie will become CEO of Synovate South Asia, the third new strategic unit comprising India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. South Asia’s geographic grouping represents a huge, complex opportunity for Synovate and Balbirnie’s involvement with Synovate’s operations in these countries over many years make him the ideal head for this SU.

Jill Telford has been promoted to CEO of Synovate North Asia, another new strategic unit comprising Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan. Telford has been managing director of Synovate Hong Kong for the past seven years and has over twenty years market research experience gained in the UK, Japan and Hong Kong.

The new appointments and structure will be effective 1 August 2007.