Jan Gooding to become President of MRS
13 March 2017

MRS has announced today that its next President will be Jan Gooding, global inclusion director at Aviva. 

>>You can read Jan's opening speech here.

With more than 30 years’ experience working in marketing and advertising, Jan has a strong track record of using research to inform strategy.

She joined Aviva in 2008 as Marketing Operations Director before becoming Group Brand Director, ultimately leading the development of the “Good Thinking” campaign which launched in the UK in early 2016.

In January 2017, Jan began a new role as Global Inclusion Director at Aviva, spearheading the company’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive culture and ultimately more diverse workplace across the group.

Jan’s commitment to championing social change means she will be taking on the MRS Presidency alongside her other non-executive board commitments. Jan is Chair of the LGBT equality charity Stonewall, Chair of PAMCo (Publishers Audience Measurement Company), an Executive Committee member of WACL (Women in Advertising London) and a Fellow of the Marketing Society.

Jane Frost CBE, chief executive officer of MRS said: “As a widely respected and high-profile business leader with proven experience of using research to direct brand strategy, Jan will make a fantastic President. Her impressive background in marketing coupled with a strong commitment to driving diversity will help us to continue to attract the variety of voices we need as a sector in order to best reflect society.

“We would also like to thank Dame Dianne Thompson for the enormous contribution she has made in enthusiastically championing the value of social and market research.”

Commenting on her appointment, Jan Gooding said: “Throughout my career, trustworthy insight has been central to making good decisions. The right research helps you understand where you are, how you got there and the best options going forward. MRS has been a constant presence, holding our sector to account and always challenging us to use research both ethically and effectively. I am delighted to be taking the helm at a time when it has never been more important to maintain high standards and foster our shared understanding of best practice.”

Outgoing President, Dame Dianne Thompson, said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as President of MRS and have been particularly impressed by the passion and professionalism of its people. Our 70^th year saw record numbers attending our events and an extremely high standard in the awards entries. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of the valuable work that MRS does and wish them continued success in the future.”