Ian Griffiths
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
Deputy CEO & Group CFO
London, GB
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
THE MARQUE
In Their Own Right
Biography
Ian Ward Griffiths is a highly accomplished business leader with a track record of delivering transformational change and unlocking value for FTSE 100 shareholders and private equity owners. He currently serves as Chair at YouGov PLC and a Non Executive Director at BBC Commercial and Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s Ltd.
With over three decades of experience in the corporate world, Ian has built a reputation as a strategic thinker and effective leader. Throughout his career he has demonstrated a talent for turning around struggling businesses and helping them achieve their potential, using his expertise in restructuring, finance, strategy and building high-performance teams. In 2013 Ian was named FTSE 100 Finance Director of the Year by Finance Excellence Awards, and Business Finance Awards. He was voted European Media CFO of the year by Institutional Investor in 2016 and 2017.
Ian’s previous roles include Deputy CEO and Group CFO of Kantar, a PE-owned global data and technology research company employing 26,000 people. During his tenure he was responsible for reshaping the portfolio through targeted acquisitions and disposals, building a new management team and driving efficiencies resulting in record profits at record margins. He also served as an Independent Strategic Advisor for fintech firm, Dojo.
Ian’s reputation as an exceptional CFO was forged during his 10 years at ITV plc, where he was a key figure in the restructuring and subsequent transformation of ITV into a successful international content business, rather than one reliant on UK advertising.
Griffiths is a chartered accountant and worked for Ernst & Young for six years before joining the magazines, radio and business media group Emap in 1994 where he was Group FD from 2005 to 2008. In his first CFO role, Ian led the break-up of the group through a series of disposals, unlocking value for shareholders and finding good homes for businesses that still exist today.
The Record
Background
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2008 — 2019
COO & CFO
ITV plc
ITV is the oldest and largest commercial broadcaster in the UK. During Ian’s ten-year tenure, the company’s share price reached over 280p, recovering from a low of 18p. Ian’s role in ITV’s turnaround was recognised in 2013 when he was awarded FD of the year by Business Finance Awards, and Finance Excellence Awards.
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1988 — 1994
Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is one of the largest professional services networks in the world and a ‘Big Four’ accounting firm. Ian gained experience in a variety of industry sectors, both in audit and corporate finance, working with businesses that ranged from entrepreneurial start up to full UK / US listed. He also achieved the ICAEW Chartered Accountant qualification, the ACA.
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2020 — 2022
Deputy CEO & Group CFO
Kantar
Kantar is a global data and technology research business dealing with 95 of the world’s top 100 global advertisers. Ian’s achievements as Acting CEO (officially titled Deputy CEO and Group CFO) included delivering significant cost savings, refinancing the company’s debt and recruiting a new management team.
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1994 — 1998
Group Finance Director
Emap plc
Emap was one of one of Britain's biggest media conglomerates before its eventual break up and sale in 2007. Ian joined the firm in 1994 and was appointed to the Main Board in 2005.
In The News
Newsfeed
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18 February 2026 · Investing.com
Ian Griffiths appointed as permanent chair at YouGov
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5 September 2025 · Investing.com
YouGov appoints Richards and Griffiths as non-executive directors
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9 December 2022
BBC appoints Sir Damon Buffini to deputy chair to boost its commercial income
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7 January 2020
Kantar recruits former ITV executive Ian Griffiths as finance director
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27 June 2018
ITV CFO & COO Ian Griffiths Departs After 10 Years At British Broadcaster
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Formative Years
Education
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Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge
MA, Economics
1985 — 1988
Areas Of Focus