Strategic Leadership Transition: Jim Peck to Lead NielsenIQ Through New Chapter of Independence

When Advent International completes its acquisition of Nielsen Global Connect, one of the most significant transitions in the data and analytics space will take effect. James “Jim” Peck, the former CEO of TransUnion who transformed that company into a $16 billion enterprise, will assume the CEO role at NielsenIQ—the newly independent division that will emerge from Nielsen Holdings plc.

The transaction, announced on November 1, is projected to close in the second quarter of 2021. Upon completion, Nielsen Global Connect will operate as NielsenIQ, a separate entity backed by one of the world’s leading private equity firms. This represents a pivotal moment for the company, which has spent decades equipping consumer packaged goods manufacturers with market intelligence and analytical capabilities.

From Separation to Independence: Understanding the Transition

David Rawlinson, who currently leads Nielsen Global Connect as CEO, will oversee the company through the closing process before transitioning to the board of directors. His tenure in this role centered on a specific mission: separating the business from Nielsen Media and positioning it for sustainable independence. The results spoke clearly—the company achieved double-digit EBITDA growth in the third quarter, reached margin levels not seen in years, and successfully rebranded itself ahead of the spinoff.

“I took over as CEO to separate the company from Nielsen Media, jumpstart its turnaround and work with the Nielsen Board to find the right path to independence,” Rawlinson reflected. The effort culminated in attracting Advent International as a partner, signaling confidence from a top-tier investor in the company’s future.

Rawlinson will remain connected to the Nielsen ecosystem, retaining his position on the Nielsen Holdings plc board of directors while joining the NielsenIQ board after the deal closes. Peck will also serve on the NielsenIQ board, creating a governance structure that blends Rawlinson’s institutional knowledge with Peck’s strategic expertise.

Why Jim Peck?

Peck’s appointment reflects a deliberate strategy to anchor NielsenIQ’s next phase with proven execution capability. During his tenure at TransUnion—a company he joined in 2012 when it was controlled by Advent and Goldman Sachs—Peck orchestrated a remarkable transformation. He led the company’s 2015 IPO and oversaw enterprise value growth from approximately $3 billion to more than $16 billion by 2019. This expansion was driven by organic growth initiatives, technology infrastructure modernization, and more than 15 strategic acquisitions.

Before TransUnion, Peck spent eight years at LexisNexis, where he served as CEO of Risk Solutions and later as Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer. His career spans the data, information services, and analytics sectors—domains directly adjacent to NielsenIQ’s core business.

Earlier this year, Advent partnered with Peck specifically to identify and acquire businesses with expansion potential in data, analytics, and information services. The NielsenIQ opportunity represents the realization of that strategic thesis.

A Blueprint for Building Market Leadership

Rawlinson expressed confidence in Peck’s ability to execute: “I believe that Jim’s extensive leadership experience, track record of success and commitment to growth will propel NielsenIQ to success as an independent company. His depth of knowledge in the data and analytics space and proven ability to execute against a long-term strategy will allow the company to accelerate its ongoing business transformation and drive sustained growth.”

Peck himself emphasized the opportunity: “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the new NielsenIQ in the next phase of the company’s growth story. The company has empowered global CPGs with trusted data, solutions and analytics for decades and continues to innovate to deliver sharper, smarter insights to its customers and partners.”

The Broader Advent International Context

Advent International, which brokered this leadership transition, stands as a major global private equity investor. Since its founding in 1984, the firm has deployed capital across more than 350 private equity transactions spanning 41 countries. As of September 30, 2020, Advent managed $66.2 billion in assets under management through 15 offices across 12 countries and a team exceeding 200 investment professionals.

The firm concentrates investments in five core sectors: business and financial services, health care, industrial, retail/consumer/leisure, and technology. The acquisition of Nielsen Global Connect aligns with Advent’s established playbook of acquiring market-leading businesses and partnering with exceptional management teams to drive sustained revenue and earnings growth.

What Comes Next

The combination of Rawlinson’s successful separation and repositioning work, Peck’s proven track record in scaling data-centric businesses, and Advent’s financial resources and operational expertise creates a foundation for NielsenIQ to compete as an independent, agile entity in the market intelligence space.