Ipsos hires Amanda Dudding as director, public affairs research and head of Wellington office

Ipsos New Zealand has today announced the appointment of Amanda Dudding as director, public affairs research and head of its Wellington office.

Dudding brings more than 16 years’ experience in the research industry to her new role, and was most recently at Nielsen New Zealand, where she spent 11 years as associate director. Prior to Nielsen, Dudding worked on the client side in research at New Zealand Post and she also contracted to major research agencies when based in London.

Dudding has extensive experience in public affairs research, working with a variety of public sector organisations, leading projects for clients including Worksafe New Zealand, Regenerate Christchurch, State Services Commission, various city Councils across New Zealand, the Department of Conservation and the Canterbury District Health Board.

Based in Wellington, Dudding joins the senior management team for Ipsos Public Affairs in Australia and New Zealand. She will be responsible for driving Ipsos Public Affairs strategy and expertise and senior level client engagement, and reports to Hercock.

Says Carin Hercock, managing director, Ipsos: “Amanda is the ideal candidate to lead our Public Affairs research in New Zealand, her depth of research knowledge and experience, as well as her ability to build strong and collaborative relationships with her clients, are a tremendous asset as Ipsos continues with our determined expansion in the New Zealand market.”

Says Mark Davis, Ipsos Public Affairs ANZ managing director: “We are delighted to add Amanda to the ranks of our senior Ipsos Public Affairs specialists in the Australia and New Zealand business.  Amanda will not only bring her own expertise to our Wellington and New Zealand based clients, but she will also connect them with the wider expertise and thought leadership held across our global team of dedicated public affairs practitioners.”

Says Dudding: “I’m thrilled to be joining an organisation with the enviable global reputation in Public Affairs that Ipsos has. Our ability to tap into the cultural and social landscape of New Zealanders as well as our absolute expertise in behavioural science gives me a wonderful opportunity to help our Public Affairs clients by driving change to improve the lives of New Zealanders.”

Dudding’s appointment is effective immediately.