Kees de Jong, who will continue as CEO of the new SSI, said: “We are excited by the powerful synergies we see in the Survey Sampling and Opinionology services – and thrilled the approval gives us the opportunity to unleash the full potential of our combined offerings.”

David Haynes, CEO of Opinionology, who will become president and COO of the new business, said: “By uniting two global leaders, we not only can offer the most innovative and comprehensive portfolio but also the strongest and most dedicated service.”

Charles Gottdiener of Providence Equity Partners, which owns the majority of SSI, will serve as chairman, while SSI’s current chairman Simon Chadwick will keep a seat on the board.

Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed but an SSI spokesperson described it when it was announced last month as a “combination of equals”. From the point of view of panel members, SSI and Opinionology will retain their current branding.

The combined company will have 1,300 employees in thirty offices around the world.