At its recent annual conference in Milan, The Research Alliance global research network elected Irwin Hankins (President of Research Pacific Group, Asia) and Rune Broo (Managing Director of Intermetra, Sweden) as co-Chairmen. Stepping down after 6 years as Chairman of TRA, Keith Bates (Managing Director of Marketing Sciences, UK) said 'The network is now able to offer our international clients a very strong set of partner agencies around the world, and I am certain that Irwin and Rune will bring inspirational leadership to build upon our success together'.