Eric Salama, Kantar CEO Stabbed In London

Forensic investigator at the scene of stabbing, west London

The chief executive of market research group Kantar is recovering in hospital from a punctured lung after being stabbed in Kew Garden, London on Sunday.

According to City AM, Eric Salama, 57, was walking to his car when he was stabbed in what police say was an attempted robbery.

Eric Salama

A spokesperson for Kantar said: “We can confirm he was involved in the Kew Gardens incident, he is recovering well, we have no other comment apart from that.”

Police are investigating and say they believe the suspect to be a black male who was wearing a dark hoodie.  Police said a knife was recovered from the scene and no other injuries were reported.

Salama tweeted from his hospital bed that he had suffered a punctured lung but his injuries were not life threatening.

"I feel lucky, punctured lung but nothing life threatening and should be fine once they’ve cleared chest of blood and air. Most distressing aspect was being identified as a Chelsea fan in some press reports," he said.

Salama has been running Kantar, advertising giant WPP's market research and consultancy wing, since 2003.

Police Superintendent Rob Applegarth, from the Met's south west command unit, said: "We recognise the community concern caused by this attack and will be conducting additional patrols in the area as a result.