Ipsos reshuffles leadership to accelerate AI and research speed goals

MUMBAI: Change is in the air at Ipsos, and this time the stopwatch is ticking too. The global market research and insights company has unveiled a series of senior leadership appointments aimed at accelerating its Horizons strategic plan, with a sharp focus on speed, innovation and artificial intelligence.

At the centre of the reshuffle is the appointment of Alexandre Guerin as Managing Director for Performance, a newly elevated Executive Management Committee role reporting directly to CEO Jean Laurent Poitou. Guerin will spearhead efforts to meet one of Horizons’ most ambitious targets: completing the majority of research studies in under 48 hours while transforming how Ipsos works internally and with clients.

The move signals Ipsos’ determination to adapt to a market where businesses increasingly demand faster insights and AI-powered decision-making.

Guerin brings a blend of operational and client leadership experience to the role. Having previously served as Chief Client Officer in the United States and CFO of Operations, he most recently spent five years leading Ipsos in France. During that tenure, he oversaw the integration of BVA in 2025, a key milestone in the company’s expansion strategy.

His move creates a leadership shift in France, with Laurent Depouilly taking over as Country Manager of Ipsos bva France. Reporting to EMEA, CEO Shane Farrell Depouilly will focus on strengthening the company’s market positioning and commercial growth. France will also now sit within the EMEA region, a move designed to improve alignment across markets.

Depouilly, who joined Ipsos in 2010, has held multiple management roles across France before leading the Swiss business. During his time in Switzerland, he guided an international team while delivering sustained profitability improvements.

Meanwhile, Marion-Anne Cattaneo has been appointed Country Manager for Switzerland, also reporting to Farrell. Her remit includes expanding Ipsos’ presence in the Swiss market, strengthening relationships with international clients and building a broader pipeline of locally based business opportunities.

Cattaneo joined Ipsos in 2015 and currently oversees key business units including Innovation and Market Strategy & Understanding. Her appointment reflects the company’s emphasis on promoting leaders with a track record of driving growth and organisational transformation.

The leadership changes come as research and insights firms face mounting pressure to combine human expertise with AI-enabled speed. Ipsos’ Horizons strategy is designed to position the company for that shift, balancing faster delivery with deeper client engagement.

Commenting on the appointments, Poitou said the changes highlight the depth of talent within the organisation and will help accelerate the execution of the company’s transformation agenda.

As AI reshapes the insights industry and clients demand answers at ever-greater speed, Ipsos is betting that fresh leadership and faster workflows will help keep it ahead of the curve.