1 September 2025, London – NielsenIQ (NIQ) has appointed Julian Crane as the new Managing Director, UK & Ireland effective 1st September. In this role, he will be overseeing operations across the region taking over from Rachel White who has been appointed as the new APAC Regional President.
This appointment marks an important milestone for NIQ UK & Ireland, which has been the company’s fastest-growing European market for the past three years.
Crane has more than 25 years’ experience in FMCG and beauty. He spent the past six years as General Manager UK & Ireland at Henkel Consumer Brands Hair Professional. This followed over a decade as Sales Director for Henkel Beauty Care Retail, where he delivered sustained sales growth in the UK & Ireland business, and in this period he spent two years as Global IKAM managing Tesco and Walgreens Boots Alliance. He began his career at First Drinks Brands, managing grocery and wholesale channels for leading spirits and wine labels.
Speaking on his appointment Crane says: “This is an inspiring moment as NIQ continues to invest in helping clients navigate and win in an increasingly fragmented marketplace. With The Full View—our connected measurement model—we capture every shopper, every channel, and every shelf, turning complexity into clarity. By combining omnichannel retail data with real consumer behaviour in one single platform, we empower clients not just to keep pace, but to spot opportunities, act smarter, and decide with confidence. I look forward to working with our talented teams to drive growth, innovation, and lasting impact.”
Emilie Darolles, Regional President Western Europe, NIQ: “The UK & Ireland is not only one of our fastest-growing markets but also a key driver of innovation across Europe. With his extensive leadership experience and record of delivering sustained growth, Julian is exceptionally well placed to lead the next phase of our journey in the region. His appointment reflects our continued commitment to investing in top talent to ensure we deliver the insight and partnership our clients need to succeed in a rapidly changing retail environment.”
About NIQ
NielsenIQ (NIQ) is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. NIQ combined with GfK in 2023, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. Today NIQ has operations in more than 95 countries covering 97% of GDP. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™.
For more information, please visit www.niq.com