Experienced shopper insights exec Kim Xavier is national head of insights at Zenith. 

Xavier recently returned to Australia earalier this year following a three-year stint in the US working as a senior director of Shopper Insights for Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of retail chains BI-LO, Winn-Dixie, Fresco y Más and Harveys Supermarket.

She was previously head of shopper insights for Coles Supermarkets, Coles Express and Coles Liquor; prior to that working in a similar role at Cadbury. Xavier was also a customer experience consultant at Melbourne-based market research firm, The Evolved Group.

Zenith CEO, Nickie Scriven, said  Xavier "will play a pivotal role in informing strategic business decisions and unlocking key growth opportunities for our clients. We’re very fortunate to have someone of Kim’s calibre join our national leadership team, and we look forward to introducing her to clients and our other key partners".

 Xavier added: “I’m excited to join Zenith at a time of great change and opportunity in the media and marketing landscape. My role will be to provide strategic counsel to our clients’ business challenges, and to deliver actionable recommendations.”

The appointment is effective immediately, with Xavier based in Zenith’s Melbourne office.

Xavier’s appointment follows the departure of Tim Beveridge who was Zenith’s chief strategy, data & insights officer for four and a half years. “I would like to thank Tim for his enormous contribution, hard work and loyalty to Zenith, and wish him and his family all the best for the future,” Scriven said.

Beveridge has joined martech firm SBDS group as general manager.