The chair of YouGov, the international research and data analytics group, is to step down as its share price continues to fall.
Deborah Davis, who joined the board in June 2024 and was appointed chair on an interim basis in February 2025, has decided to step down as chair and from the board with effect from today.
Ian Griffiths, who joined the board in September 2025, has been appointed permanent chair.
He was deputy CEO and CFO of market intelligence agency Kantar from 2020 to 2022. Before that he was CFO and COO of ITV plc for more than 10 years and before that CFO of EMAP plc.
Griffiths is currently a non-executive director for BBC Commercial Ltd and an independent NED for Stanley Gibbons Baldwins Ltd.
YouGov’s share price is down 47% in the last 12 months and 19% in the year-to-date. Earlier this month the firm replaced its long-term CFO with an interim appointment.
A year ago, 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, while Davis was appointed as non-executive chair. Both appointments were supposed to be on an interim basis, but Shakespeare remains in his role – and, until now, so had Davis.
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A few weeks ago YouGov 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.
Announcing the news of Davis’s departure, it stated: “The company expresses its sincere appreciation for her contribution during a period of leadership transition, during which she chaired the board and supported the executive team as the business refocused on its strategic priorities.”
Davis said: “It has been a privilege to serve on the board and as chair on an interim basis. I have greatly valued working with Stephan and the wider board and wish the company every success for the future.”
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.