TRA boosts leadership team

AUCKLAND, Today: Britomart-based research & insights agency TRA has boosted its senior leadership, appointing Irena Bakker as its new head of people & capability, and Stephen Churchman as head of design.

Both Auckland-based roles have responsibilities across TRA Business Group, which includes TRA’s Australian and New Zealand offices, social media insights and listening tool Zavy, and SME brand health platform Tracksuit.

TRA MD Andrew Lewis said: Irena and Stephen are important additions to the business, reflecting the agency’s award-winning commitment to people, culture and client-focused innovation.

“People are at the core of what we do here at TRA. With our new offices in Sydney and Melbourne, and the growth of Zavy and Tracksuit, it’s imperative that we have a people leader with an unwavering commitment to developing our already impressive talent base.”

Bakker joins from WPP plc where she was most recently head of hr & talent NZ for WPP AUNZ, responsible for developing and implementing HR and talent strategies, best practice recruitment processes and change management skills. Previously, she held the role of group talent director for WPP’s media agency division, GroupM.

“Landing a role with TRA feels like returning home – twice!”

Bakker said: “TRA Business Group is on an ambitious growth trajectory, powered by their multi-disciplinary team and businesses across Australia and New Zealand.

“It’s rare to find an organisation so committed to its people. As an HR professional, I couldn’t be happier to join TRA’s amazing leadership team and support the company’s growth plans.”

Andrew Lewis: “Stephen Churchman brings a heady combination of global and ANZ experience to the role, having most recently held a role as head of creative at Les Mills US and prior to that holding design roles at Saatchi & Saatchi NZ and DDB NZ.

“Design is part of TRA’s DNA – it illuminates insight, and our award-winning design team is one of the best in the business. There is no more experienced designer capable of crafting brand identity and experiences through strategic insight than Stephen, and we’re delighted he has returned to his home turf and joined our team.”

Churchman said: “Landing a role with TRA feels like returning home, twice!”

Bakker and Churchman begin their roles immediately.

• theresearchagency.com