Ipsos SA has completed the divestment of an 80% stake in its Russian subsidiary Ipsos Comcon LLC to Direct Investments JSC, reducing its ownership to a 20% minority position. The transaction aligns with amendments to Russian Federal Law that restrict foreign ownership in market research companies to a maximum 20% equity stake. The Russian Governmental Commission approved the transaction on February 26, 2026.
The sale represents a significant restructuring of Ipsos' operations in Russia, driven by regulatory changes that fundamentally altered the permissible ownership structure for foreign entities in the market research sector. By maintaining a minority stake, Ipsos preserves a connection to the Russian market while achieving compliance with the new legal framework.
New leadership has been appointed to oversee the subsidiary's operations following the ownership transition, ensuring continuity in business activities. The completion of the transaction marks the conclusion of Ipsos' mandatory compliance process in response to the regulatory environment in Russia.