Esomar names Patrick de Regt CEO as it expands leadership on AI and ethics

By AI, Created 5:57 AM UTC, May 28, 2026, /AGP/ – Esomar named Patrick de Regt chief executive officer on May 28, 2026, elevating the executive who joined as COO in November 2025. The move comes as the global research and insights body reshapes its structure around AI, ethics, advocacy and member service.

Why it matters: - Esomar is adjusting its leadership to better handle fast-moving changes in AI, research methods and digital transformation. - The CEO change is meant to strengthen member value, operational execution and the organization’s role in standards and advocacy. - Esomar is also adding a new senior role focused on profession-wide guidance, public affairs and ethical oversight.

What happened: - Esomar appointed Patrick de Regt as chief executive officer on May 28, 2026. - de Regt joined Esomar in November 2025 as chief operating officer. - Anne-Sophie Damelincourt, Esomar’s president, said the appointment comes at an important moment for the organization and the wider profession. - Esomar said recruitment for a new Chief Profession and Advocacy Officer will begin in June.

The details: - de Regt has more than 20 years of leadership and entrepreneurial experience across operations, organizational development, digital transformation and business strategy. - His prior roles included senior leadership positions in the nonprofit, communications and digital sectors. - Esomar said de Regt played a key role in organizational transformation, operational alignment and execution after joining as COO. - As CEO, de Regt will focus on member experience, operational excellence, digital transformation and a more agile organization. - The new Chief Profession and Advocacy Officer role will oversee professional standards, advocacy, public affairs and ethical guidance. - That role will also lead Esomar’s engagement with regulators, associations and institutional partners worldwide. - The position will support Esomar’s work on AI, trust and the future of the profession. - Esomar describes itself as the global authority for the data, research and insights profession. - The organization says it has more than 9,000 members, 750+ companies and a presence in 130+ countries. - Esomar says it has set standards for ethical and effective use of data and insights since 1947. - More information is available in Esomar’s announcement.

Between the lines: - The leadership change suggests Esomar is formalizing a structure built for a profession facing pressure from AI, new methodologies and faster technology cycles. - Splitting responsibilities between CEO leadership and a separate profession-and-advocacy post points to a sharper division between operations and external policy work. - The move also signals that member experience and regulatory engagement are becoming more central to Esomar’s strategy.

What’s next: - Esomar will recruit for the new Chief Profession and Advocacy Officer role in June. - de Regt is expected to lead the organization’s next phase of development alongside the executive team and staff. - Esomar will continue prioritizing member value, digital transformation, standards and responsible innovation.

The bottom line: - Esomar is betting that a more specialized leadership structure will make it better prepared for AI-driven change and more responsive to members worldwide.