Millward Brown Appoints Gaurav Hirley as Chief Human Resource officer

Millward Brown, a world leader in brand, digital and communication research announced today the appointment of Gaurav Hirey as Chief Human Resource Officer for its Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific region.

Gaurav brings more than 20 years of HR leadership experience to Millward Brown. Previously, he spent seven years with WPP’s GroupM, most recently as Executive Board member and Chief Talent Officer, South Asia. Before that, Gaurav was regional Chief Talent Officer for Maxus Asia Pacific and, earlier, Head of Human Resource for GroupM South Asia.

Gaurav is credited with establishing a thriving value-added HR function at GroupM South Asia and has helped drive various path breaking talent initiatives which earned GroupM India the titles of the “Dream Employer in Media” and the “Best Employer Brand in the Media and Entertainment Industry” in India. He was also a part of the core team which created the Maxus PACE behaviours that have now been adopted globally by Maxus.  Gaurav was awarded the HR Leadership and HR Achiever of the Year award at the World HRD Congress this year in February 2015.

Adrian Gonzalez, CEO of Millward Brown Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific, said, “I am delighted to be working with Gaurav. He has a superb talent leadership pedigree with WPP and will add greatly to our development as we support our clients through a period of immense change.”

Commenting on his appointment, Gaurav said, “These are interesting transformational times for the brand and communications industry. I am honoured to join a hugely credible organisation with an equally inspiring and passionate leadership team. I look forward to working with Millward Brown to help add value to our clients and employees.”

Gaurav is passionate about helping children and was the chief sponsor for GroupM India’s corporate responsibility initiative, Lighting the Sparks. The program provides education, health facilities and support to the economically challenged children in the country. Lighting the Sparks has touched more than 10,000 children in India over the past six years and is now part of WPP’s CSR initiative and will continue helping children in need.

Gaurav’s appointment commences on 1^st November and he will be based in Singapore.