Stewart, Beeck in leadership changes at Synovate

Synovate has announced two changes to its senior management team. Brent Stewart, current CEO of Australia and New Zealand and the founder of Market Equity in Australia (Perth), has been appointed to a new global role – CEO Strategic Units, while Julie Beeck is stepping down as managing director of Synovate’s Australian business.

Robert Philpott, Synovate’s global CEO will take leadership for the UK,North America and Western Europe. Responsibility for all other marketswill be with Stewart, including Africa, Australia and New Zealand,Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, China, Japan, LatinAmerica and Iberia and North and South Asia. Stewart will also continueto be CEO of Global Business Planning for Synovate.

“This new role is just another example of the opportunities for staffthat exist within a truly global company like Synovate, in particularcombining a global leadership role with local managementresponsibility. I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead asthe global market research industry enters an exciting new phase ofchange,” said Stewart.

At the same time, Mike Cassidy has been announced as Managing Directorof Synovate’s Australian research business, effective 1 January 2010.Cassidy will take over from Julie Beeck, in line with the company’sgrowth strategy on the east coast. Beeck will continue to play a seniorrole in Synovate’s business in Australia – managing and developing keyclient relationships and supporting the growth of talented researchers.

“Mike has been an outstanding contributor to the business, having grownour Melbourne office from a zero base along with many of our keyaccounts”, said Stewart.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the important efforts of Julie Beeck asthe outgoing MD of Australia and one of the key contributors to thedevelopment of the business since inception. We’re very fortunate thatJulie is continuing with the business in a client service and mentoringrole.”