Data and insight consultancy Kantar has appointed former DunnHumby group chief executive Guillaume Bacuvier to lead its Worldpanel division, succeeded Josep Montserrat, who takes on the role of non-executive chairman of the business.
Bacuvier stepped down from his role at the Tesco-owned data business in March, after four years, to pursue other opportunities. He had taken over from David Hay, who first joined the business from CACI in 1991 as an account director and had been CEO since 2011.
Tesco group innovation director Claire Lorains became interim CEO of DunnHumby in April, while what the firm called “an immediate external succession process” took place to appoint a permanent CEO. Five months later, this has yet to be concluded.
During his time at DunnHumby, it is claimed that Bacuvier led a commercial and technological transformation of the business, involving material investment in the company’s product portfolio, and both acquisitions and divestments to strengthen the company’s positioning.
Prior to DunnHumby, Bacuvier was at Google for more than a decade, holding a number of senior roles, eventually taking up the post of vice-president of advertising solutions, EMEA, where he was responsible for all aspects of the core online advertising business in the region, including commercial P&L for Google’s Doubleclick and Analytics business.
Kantar deputy CEO and CFO Ian Griffiths said: “The next phase of growth for our Worldpanel business will be heavily influenced by technology and advanced data analytics, and Guillaume’s expertise and experience will prove invaluable.
“He is an experienced, international CEO combining world-class technology credentials with a deep understanding of consumer behaviour and the retail and media landscapes. He also has a proven track record in transforming a data business and holds excellent relationships with retailers and FMCG/CPG brands across the world.”
Montserrat joined Worldpanel in 1994 and was appointed CEO of the Worldpanel business in 2007; he will now act as an advisor to Bacuvier and the Worldpanel leadership team.
Both appointments are effective from next week.
In July, Kantar appointed its third chief executive in just over a year, hiring former AA, British Gas and British Airways boss Chris Jansen to take up the role vacated by Alexis Nasard, who left “by mutual agreement” in April. Nasard had succeeded Eric Salama, who had served as CEO for 17 years.
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