As part of a strategic realignment of the Kantar Group companies, TNS (Custom Division) and Research International (RI), are merging to create the world's largest custom research company. The global brand name of the combined business will be TNS and this will also be the new name of the combined businesses in South Africa.

The merger of the two companies will make TNS in South Africa the largest custom research, marketing and social insights company, offering deepened industry knowledge via sector expertise and a strengthened portfolio of research solutions. Both companies will join forces and use their strength, resources and talent to deliver further value to their clients' businesses as well as providing further opportunities for clients to expand into the rest of the African continent.

Margarita Putter has been appointed as the CEO of Central and Southern Africa, charged with managing this dynamic and rapidly growing region. Putter will have line responsibility for the TNS and RI businesses in South Africa and RI in East Africa hubbed from Kenya with satellite offices in Tanzania and Uganda. Putter will also manage the relationship with the TNS affiliate based in Mauritius and covering the Indian Ocean region.

Putter will work with David Somers who will continue as CEO of RI's East African company. Together, they will develop strategies for growth in West Africa in line with TNS's Global focus on Emerging Markets.

Angy Watson (nee Banks) has been appointed CEO of South Africa. Watson will take the overall leadership of the South African company, integrating the offer and ensuring that our clients will keep receiving the same level of service and quality insight. Most critically, Watson will work to ensure the company develops a strong culture for the new company, bringing together the strong elements of both existing companies to provide clients an unparalleled level of service.

Watson will be supported in South Africa by Karin Du Chenne and Anne Roberts. In line with TNS's global strategy aligned to sectors and key accounts, Du Chenne has been appointed MD: Sectors while Roberts has been appointed MD: Global Accounts.

Africa is emerging as one of the most important global economic regions, with increasing attention from the company's clients and senior management of both TNS and also WPP as evidenced by a recent visit by CEO Sir Martin Sorrell to South Africa in March.

In particular, South Africa is seen to be a gateway for entry into Africa, providing resource and expertise, in addition to continuing to capitalise on the strong South African economy. The new TNS will be a formidable force in the South African research market, a leader in size and also in what it is able to offer.

The merger is part of a large re-organisation of the Kantar Group, to strengthen its companies and its offer and give clients more clarity about its areas of research expertise. The combination of Research International's strong focus on Consumer Packaged Goods research, qualitative skills and innovation, and TNS's sector expertise and business solutions portfolio, alongside established international client networks in both companies, means the new business will be the world leader in custom research.

Further appointments including the Exco of the new company across Africa and in South Africa will be made in due course.

TNS, who recently merged with Research International, is the world's largest custom research agency delivering actionable insights and research-based business advice to its clients so they can make more effective business decisions. TNS offers comprehensive industry knowledge within the Consumer; Technology; Finance; Automotive; and Political and Social sectors, supported by a product offering that stretches across the range of marketing and business issues, specialising in product development & innovation; brand & communication; stakeholder management; retail & shopper; and qualitative research. Delivering service across more than 70 countries, TNS is part of Kantar, the world's largest research, insight and consultancy network. For more information, visit www.tnsglobal.com.