Eccleston will be responsible for helping to build customer loyalty through maximising the business return from research services and developing existing accounts.
Eccleston brings more than 16 years' experience in international market research and analysis within the technology, media and telecommunications sector to eDigital. He also has experience of developing brand strategies for multi-national businesses including global manufacturers, leading service providers and major broadcasters.
He has previously held management positions at research agency Harris Interactive and Sony's in-house research team.
eDigitalResearch hopes that his expertise in research and analysis will help to achieve its strategic aim of providing more commercial insight from research data.
Eccleston said: "There has been a seismic shift in the market research industry over the last few years and unlike some other agencies, eDigitalResearch has been able to meet increasing client demands.
"I am looking forward to raising the bar further by untapping the potential within existing accounts and creating additional revenue streams for the business."
Michelle Fuller, director of eDigitalResearch, said: "Derek's appointment marks a turning point for our business.
"Over the last few years, we have developed an end-to-end research platform from which clients can pick and choose the services that they need.
"This has allowed us to move away from the traditional 'death by powerpoint' research model to a more strategic focus, where our research can help businesses to make informed decisions that will lead to business change.
"Derek's expertise will help to differentiate our business further by helping businesses to utilise our research services more effectively in order to meet the ever-increasing demands from a changing market."