Kenneth Simonsen

Kantar in Switzerland - Commercial Leader | Strategy & Consumer Insights | Sales & Negotiation | FMCG, Tech & Durables, Luxury goods

Lausanne Metropolitan Area

About

I am deeply passionate about people, how they perceive the world and what we can learn from them. In business, I firmly believe that any good strategy and any effective marketing activity plan are founded on a good understanding of the market from a consumer perspective. Throughout my 25 years career in the Market Research and Insight industry, I’m proud for having contributed to the success of businesses across multiple markets and categories through a consumer-centric perspective. As business developer, I’m increasingly concerned about supporting the development of truly sustainable businesses. Meaning, profitable to shareholders, advantageous to people (consumers, employees, community), and beneficial to environment (including with reduced negative impact). 3Ps to keep it simple: Profit, people, planet. As people manager, I’ve learned that great achievements are made best possible by working as a team. When everyone contributes through her/his own talents and skillsets. A little like when a great orchestra plays wonderful music.

Experience

  • Kantar (Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland · Remote)
    • Business Development Director for Switzerland
      Sep 2025 - Present · 10 mos

      Bringing the Solutions and Capabilities of Kantar Insights to Swiss-based Companies

    • Commercial Lead Switzerland
      May 2025 - Sep 2025 · 5 mos

  • Kenneth Simonsen Consulting at Kenneth Simonsen Consulting
    May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos

    Helping Companies who care for their customers to leverage their potential through fact-based market understanding.

  • GfK - An NIQ Company (24 yrs 2 mos)
    • EMEA lead, Strategic Accounts Tech & Durables
      Oct 2023 - Feb 2025 · 1 yr 5 mos

      Leading a team of senior global account directors. Overseeing account strategies and related sales activities across our entire portfolio (the Full View), but with special focus on POS Retail Panel. Accountable for budget planning, execution and performance monitoring of an important part of the Tech & Durable business. Commercial leader of integrating GfK retail panel business contracts into NIQ.

    • Global Account Director, Complete Portfolio
      Mar 2017 - Sep 2023 · 6 yrs 7 mos

      Fostered the relationship between GfK and some of the largest global clients in FMCG and Small Domestic Appliances. Managed multi-cultured and multi-functional teams across all continents in matrix organization. Accountable for developing and implementing GfK’s account strategy to deliver sustainable growth across Custom Research, Consumer Panel and Retail Panel business lines, including SaaS delivery (gfknewron platform for advanced data analytics and consumer insights). Directed negotiations on Global Master Service Agreements (MSA) and Global Commercial Contracts. Led key presentations and consultancy workshops for client leadership teams

    • Global Key Account Manager, Custom Research
      Apr 2013 - Feb 2017 · 3 yrs 11 mos

  • Chargé de cours (lecturer) en Epistemologie & philosophie des Sciences at Université Paris 13 Nord
    2002 - 2008 · 6 yrs

  • Studieveileder / Study advisor at University of Oslo
    1996 - 1997 · 1 yr

    Through this position, I helped international/foreign students to find their place in the Norwegian university system within the domains of mathematics & natural sciences. It also gave me the opportunity to conceive and negotiate for larger international projects as I participated in creating the European exchange program "Leonardo da Vinci" for the University of Oslo