Gazala worked at Forrester Research for over nine years, most recently as senior vice-president. Gazala was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the firm's consumer research business.
In his new role he will report to president and group chief executive, Anne Hedde.
"I am delighted to welcome Michael to the Lightspeed Research team. His leadership skills and experience with clients in the research industry provides our North American business with strong support for continued growth in the market," Hedde said.
According to Gazala: "Lightspeed Research is a remarkable and exciting organization and I look forward to continuing the growth of the company and providing excellence in the delivery of quality interactive data solutions that our clients have come to expect."
WPP Group-owned Lightspeed Research is a global interactive data operations provider, which delivers research results through global online panels. Through its network of panels, Lightspeed Research offers access to household members across 34 countries in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.