Shirley takes on the role in addition to her current responsibilities as chief executive of Cello Research and joint managing director of Insight.
It is one of a number of senior appointments at the agency. Joining Shirley are Phil Stubington and Chris Stead, who take on responsibility for day-to-day running in their roles as joint managing directors.
Stead has been promoted from finance director while Stubington most recently headed the RS Consulting research team.
They take over from Neil Swan, who was group managing director of RS Consulting, following its integration with two other Cello agencies, Kudos and Consensus.
Swan retains an advisory role within the Cello Group but plans to return to consulting.
Vincent Nolan, chairman of Cello Research Group, said: "Jane has played a major role in building Insight into one of the top specialist healthcare research agencies globally and she will be a great asset in leading the business into its next exciting phase.
"Neil has left the business in great shape and his legacy will stand RS in good stead. We wish him every success."