The full text of the announcement follows:

The Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (Barb) today announces the appointment of Nigel Sharrocks (pictured) as non-executive chairman.

Sharrocks takes over in October 2013, succeeding Nigel Walmsley who has been chairman for the past 11 years. Sharrocks recently left his role as chief executive of Aegis Media Global Brands where he led the Carat, Vizeum and Posterscope networks. He joined Aegis in 2004 from Warner Bros Pictures UK, where he had been managing director since 1999. He brings previous experience from Grey Advertising and MediaCom.

Paul Bainsfair, director general of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) and Barb board director, said: “Nigel Walmsley has been an excellent chair of Barb since 2002. His experience and wisdom have successfully kept Barb on track – initially through a challenging period for the organisation and, in recent years, through a time of extraordinary change in television. He hands over a strong and confident Barb to Nigel Sharrocks, whom we are delighted to welcome on board after interviewing a strong field of applicants. Nigel Sharrocks brings a rich heritage of business leadership, is a highly-respected figure in the agency and marketing community and has real insight into the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Nigel Sharrocks said: “The brief for Barb under new chief executive Justin Sampson is an exciting and challenging one. Its services deliver data that underpin investment decisions made by the broadcasting and advertising industry of £7bn per year. It’s a very exciting time to be getting involved.”