Tony Cowling
Professional Biography
Taylor Nelson
Under his leadership, Taylor Nelson became an established and respected part of the UK research scene with particular skills in consumer and healthcare research. The company grew rapidly and in 1989 it was listed on the London Stock Exchange.
1992
AGB
Over time Tony came to recognise the growing international demands for research created by globalisation and deregulation in many industries. In 1992 the opportunity arose to respond to this through the acquisition of AGB. It had particular skills in TV audience measurement and in consumer purchasing panels.
1995
Gallup International Association
In 1995 Taylor Nelson became the UK member of the GIA. The GIA was an association of independent companies with extensive coverage around the world. It also provided strong links into social research and opinion polling. Tony served as President of the GIA and over time a number of GIA member companies joined the Taylor Nelson Group.
1997
Sofres
The next step in creating a genuinely international network came in 1997 through a merger with Sofres. Sofres was the leading research company in France and over time had built a formidable presence first in Europe and later in Asia and in North America. At this point the company was renamed Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS).
2000
TNS
Tony was committed to growing the business by imaginative investment in technology and in developing the people who worked in the company. One of his initiatives in 2000 was the creation of the TNS University. This was a programme for training staff from around the world in both technical and commercial skills; it also enabled researchers from different backgrounds and cultures to meet, share experience and learn from one another.
2003
NFO
Further acquisitions took place, notably US-based NFO in 2003. This together with internal growth led to a point where the company had a presence in 80 countries and employed 15,000 people. Under Tony’s leadership and through his drive and determination it had become one of the largest market research companies in the world.
2008
Kantar
In 2008 TNS was acquired by WPP and Tony was appointed Life President.
Other roles
For some time Tony was Chairman of AMSO (The Association of Market Survey Organisations), a member of ESOMAR and of the Market Research Society (MRS) which in 2006 awarded him its Gold Medal for his contribution to the industry. Some years earlier in 2001 he was nominated by the US industry magazine Inside Research as the Market Research Executive of the Decade.