YouGov has replaced its CFO as its share price continues to drop.
The listed research services and data analytics firm said it has mutually agreed with Alex McIntosh that he will step down ‘to pursue other opportunities’ with effect from today.
McIntosh has been with the company for 19 years, including eight years on the board as CFO.
James Davies has been appointed his successor, initially on an interim basis, with effect from 12th February 2026. He will not join the board at this time.
Davies has held group CFO positions in public and privately owned digital companies, most recently at OVO Energy and prior to that at Monzo Bank. He also has 13 years experience in investment banking at Close Brothers and Deutsche Bank.
Davies is senior independent director at British Cycling and chair of its audit and assurance committee.
YouGov said McIntosh will support the board and executive team during his notice period to ensure an orderly handover.
YouGov’s share price is down 12% in the last five days; 40% in the last six months; and nearly 50% in the last year.
A year ago almost to the day, then-CEO Steve Hatch – a former Meta executive who took the role in 2023 – left the company with immediate effect after its share price had more than halved during his 18 months in charge.
Stephan Shakespeare, who had moved up to non-executive chair following a decade in the position, returned as CEO. Deborah Davis was appointed as non-executive chair. Both appointments were supposed to be on an interim basis, but they remain in those roles.
Shakespeare co-founded the online research data and analytics technology group with Nadhim Zahawi – who would go on to become Chancellor and Conservative Party chairman – in 2000.
Last week it said it expects to report low-single-digit revenue growth in the half-year ending 31st January 2026. The results will be published on 24th March 2026.
“The board wants to take this opportunity to thank Alex for his significant contributions and admirable commitment to YouGov,” said Davis. “We share our thanks to him for ensuring an orderly transition and wish him every success in his future endeavours.”
Shakespeare added: “Alex has been instrumental in driving YouGov’s growth and transformation from a small research agency with less than 100 employees to a leading international research and data analytics group with a workforce of over 3,000 employees today. It has been my great pleasure to work alongside him during this time.”
McIntosh said: “It has been an honour to be part of YouGov’s journey for the past two decades. I wish Stephan and our thousands of YouGov colleagues the very best for the future.”
Davies commented: “I am very much looking forward to working with Deborah, Stephan and the wider YouGov team to help create a focused, sustainable business to drive long-term value creation.”