LONDON—Reputation research specialist Echo Research has promoted two senior executives to become joint managing directors of the firm’s UK business. Ben Lloyd will run Echo UK’s operations and delivery, while Sam Knowles is charged with leading business development.

Echo Group CEO and founder Sandra Macleod (pictured) will now focus on growing global clients and operations, as well as client development across Echo’s parent company, Ebiquity.

Lloyd has been with Echo for more than five years, leading the firm’s work in the consumer and technology sectors and working with clients such as BA, BT, KFC, McDonald's, Nedbank and VMware. Drawing on Echo’s research procedures and quality control systems, he will focus on the delivery of Echo’s work for clients.

Knowles joined Echo last September as integrated services director, providing the link between Echo’s reputation and research work and new parent company Ebiquity’s services. He has also been instrumental in developing Ebiquity’s Marcomms Vital Signs offering. He previously worked in PR consultancy for more than 20 years, in strategic, planning and consultative sales roles, most recently with salt.