YouGov appoints ex-Kantar executive as CEO; confirms buyback plans
YouGov PLC on Thursday said Chief Executive Officer & Founder Stephan Shakespeare will become a non-executive director, as the company is bringing in a former Kantar executive.
The London-based market research firm has hired Wayne Levings to be CEO-elect from November 1. Levings held positions of global chief client officer and CEO Americas at YouGov peer Kantar. He previously was CEO of the Asia Pacific, North America and Kantar Retail businesses.
Levings will succeed founder Stephan Shakespeare as CEO by February 1, 2027, with Shakespeare remaining on the board as a non-executive director and chairing a new innovation committee.
Back in February 2025, YouGov announced the immediate resignation of then-CEO Steve Hatch, with Shakespeare returning as interim CEO.
Separately on Thursday, YouGov said it has extended its term loan and revolving credit facility to April 2028, replacing a full repayment due in September 2027 with a EUR20 million instalment due in October 2027, providing greater flexibility while it conducts its strategic review of the Shopper business.
Further, YouGov confirmed plans to launch a share buyback after its full-year results in October, in place of a final dividend, subject to the YouGov share price remaining below what board considers its intrinsic value.
YouGov shares were up 4.8% to 273.74 pence each on Thursday afternoon in London.
Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.