Finance
UK's YouGov appoints former ITV finance chief as chair
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 18, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 18, 2026
Quick Summary
YouGov has appointed Ian Griffiths as its permanent chair, replacing Deborah Davis. Griffiths, with a background at ITV Plc, joined YouGov's board last September.
YouGov Appoints Former ITV Finance Chief Ian Griffiths as Chair
Leadership Changes at YouGov
Feb 18 (Reuters) - Market research firm YouGov named former ITV finance chief Ian Griffiths as its permanent chair on Wednesday, replacing Deborah Davis, who had served as interim chair for the past year.
Recent Executive Departures
The appointment marks the latest leadership change at YouGov after Chief Financial Officer Alex McIntosh resigned earlier this month following 19 years at the company and was replaced on an interim basis by former Monzo Bank CFO James Davies.
Impact of AI on Business
Last year, activist investor Gatemore Capital successfully pushed for the removal of CEO Steve Hatch after a brief one-and-half-year tenure, leading to the reinstatement of co-founder Stephan Shakespeare as the top boss.
Stock Performance Overview
Shares, which peaked at 1,600 pence in 2022, have since lost more than 80% of their value.
The board shake-up adds to a turbulent period for the research firm, which continues to invest in artificial intelligence products while navigating what it has described as a a "challenging macro environment".
YouGov, which provides brand-tracking and marketing campaign analytics, is contending with a slowdown in advertising spending as companies reassess budgets amid the growing adoption of AI tools.
(Reporting by Neeshita Beura in Bengaluru; Editing by Sumana Nandy and Mrigank Dhaniwala)
Key Takeaways
- •Ian Griffiths appointed as permanent chair of YouGov.
- •Griffiths replaces interim chair Deborah Davis.
- •Griffiths has a background with ITV Plc.
- •Leadership transition announced on February 18.
- •Griffiths joined YouGov board in September last year.
Frequently Asked Questions about UK's YouGov appoints former ITV finance chief as chair
1What is corporate governance?
Corporate governance refers to the systems, principles, and processes by which a company is directed and controlled. It encompasses the relationships among the company's management, its board, shareholders, and other stakeholders.
2What is an interim chair?
An interim chair is a temporary leader appointed to oversee a board of directors until a permanent chair is selected. This role is crucial for maintaining leadership and decision-making during transitions.
3What is a market research firm?
A market research firm specializes in gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data about markets, consumers, and competitors to help businesses make informed decisions.
4What is a finance chief?
A finance chief, often referred to as a Chief Financial Officer (CFO), is responsible for managing a company's financial operations, including financial planning, risk management, record-keeping, and financial reporting.
5What is a leadership transition?
A leadership transition occurs when there is a change in the leadership of an organization, often involving the appointment of new executives or board members to guide the company's future direction.
