Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based Director operating in the Market Research space. If you think a Director is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Margo Polishchuk
Co-Founder & Director of proSapient
Margo Polishchuk is the Co-Founder & Director at proSapient.
Follow Margo Polishchuk:
About proSapient: proSapient is a research platform that gathers networks of insights from executives and SMEs via global consultations and surveys.
Jon Adkins
Director of EMEA of Guidepoint
Follow Jon Adkins:
About Guidepoint: Guidepoint is a leading expert network that connects business decision-makers and researchers with knowledgeable independent experts
Jon Adkins
Director of EMEA of Guidepoint
Follow Jon Adkins:
About Guidepoint: Guidepoint is a leading expert network that connects business decision-makers and researchers with knowledgeable independent experts
James Buckley
Director of Business Development of Attest
James Buckley is the Director of Business Development at Attest
Follow James Buckley:
About Attest: Attest is a consumer research platform that delivers consumer data that drive predictable and repeatable growth to businesses.
Dario Simonetti
Technology Director of Attest
Dario Simonetti is the Head of Core Engineering at Attest.
Follow Dario Simonetti:
About Attest: Attest is a consumer research platform that delivers consumer data that drive predictable and repeatable growth to businesses.
Rony Seamons
Chief Operating Officer & Director Of Operations of AMPLYFI
Rony Seamons is the Chief Operating Officer and Director Of Operations of AMPLYFI.
Follow Rony Seamons:
About AMPLYFI: AMPLYFI is a privately held company that provides software platform capable of intelligently harvesting open source data from the internet.
Peter Veash
Executive Director of ImpactSense
Follow Peter Veash:
About ImpactSense: ImpactSense makes a simple commitment to clients and provides actionable information that delivers now while keeping an eye on the future.
Ed McDermott
Co-Founder and Managing Director, UK of EMMAC Life Sciences
Ed McDermott is the co-founder and managing director at EMMAC Life Sciences.
Follow Ed McDermott:
About EMMAC Life Sciences: EMMAC is a medical cannabis company that works to join together the latest science and research with cutting-edge cultivation.
Tim Cobbold
CEO & Executive Director of UBM Plc
Tim is the CEO & Executive Director of UBM, an event services platform.
Follow Tim Cobbold:
About UBM Plc: UBM is a global events-led marketing and communications services business.
Carl Walthew
Finance Director of UBM Plc
Carl Walthew is the finance director of UBM plc.
Follow Carl Walthew:
About UBM Plc: UBM is a global events-led marketing and communications services business.
Carl Walthew
Finance Director of UBM Plc
Carl Walthew is the finance director of UBM plc.
Follow Carl Walthew:
About UBM Plc: UBM is a global events-led marketing and communications services business.
David Kershaw
Co-Founder ,CEO & Exec Director of M&C Saatchi
David Kershaw is a founding director of M&C Saatchi. He joined Saatchi & Saatchi in 1982 after obtaining an MBA at London Business School. He became managing director in 1990 and was made chairman and chief executive of the UK agency in 1994.
Follow David Kershaw:
About M&C Saatchi: M&C Saatchi Group is a creative company that connects specialist expertise, fuelled by data and technology.
Fiona McAnena
Non-Exec Director & Investor of LivingLens
Strategic marketing consultant and NED providing customer value propositions and marketing strategies that drive growth.Fiona specialises in helping businesses to develop, define and strengthen their market propositions. She has held senior roles at Unilever, PepsiCo and Bupa and provided extensive consulting experience as the European CEO of Added Value and UK Chief Executive at MEC.She is a Partner at Clearhound, an active board member and Fellow of the Marketing Society of GB and coaches the senior team as part of Collider13.
Follow Fiona McAnena:
About : LivingLens offers video-based insight tools that enable companies to turn consumer insight films into market research.
Hendrik-Tobias Arkenau
Executive Medical Director of Sarah Cannon
Professor Tobias Arkenau joined Sarah Cannon Research Institute as Executive Medical Director in 2010.
Follow Hendrik-Tobias Arkenau:
About HCA International, Sarah Cannon, UCL: Sarah Cannon offers integrated cancer services with convenient access to cutting-edge therapies.
Matthew Pougher
Sales Director of Omdia
Follow Matthew Pougher:
About Omdia: Omdia is The game-changing technology research and consulting firm built for the connected age.
Mark Oliver
Senior Consulting Director of Omdia
Follow Mark Oliver:
About Omdia: Omdia is The game-changing technology research and consulting firm built for the connected age.
Dario Talmesio
Research Director – Service Provider Strategies, Regulation, 5G Accelerator of Omdia
Follow Dario Talmesio:
About Omdia: Omdia is The game-changing technology research and consulting firm built for the connected age.
Shawn Cabral
Global Marketing Director of Cint
Follow Shawn Cabral:
About Cint: The technology backbone of the world’s most successful insights companies.
Stuart Bell
Director of Carat
Stuart Bell is Operations Director at Carat.
Follow Stuart Bell:
About Carat: Carat is a media agency that specializes in media planning and buying, and providing digital and non-traditional media solutions.
Grant Burke
Client Managing Director of Carat
Follow Grant Burke:
About Carat: Carat is a media agency that specializes in media planning and buying, and providing digital and non-traditional media solutions.
Ian Hathaway
Managing Director of Hillgate Partners
Ian Hathaway is Research Director at the Center for American Entrepreneurship, where he leads content development efforts, publishes research and commentary, and advises on policy and strategy. He is also a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a research fellow at the Technology and Policy Research Initiative at Boston University, and an adjunct professor at New York University. Ian has published for prominent research institutions, universities, non-profits, and businesses, and is regularly cited in leading press outlets for his views and research on entrepreneurship, including in The New York Times, The Economist, The Washington Post, Financial Times, and The Wall Street Journal, among many others. He has also been an advisor to organizations in the information technology, media, life sciences, venture capital, non-profit, government, and education sectors, on a range of research, public policy, and strategy issues. Previously, Ian was an economist at the Federal Reserve, World Trade Organization, and Bloomberg, and founded Ennsyte Economics. Ian is a graduate of the University of Chicago, where he studied economics and political economy.
Follow Ian Hathaway:
About Center for American Entrepreneurship, Hillgate Partners, The Brookings Institution: Innovation, insight, and advisory services firm
Alistair McPherson
Deputy Director General & Head of Project of Square Kilometre Array
Follow Alistair McPherson:
About Square Kilometre Array: The Square Kilometre Array intends to build the world’s largest radio telescope, with a square kilometer of collecting area.
Simon Berry
Director of Policy Development of Square Kilometre Array
Simon joined the SKA Organisation in January 2014. He is responsible for all aspects of policy development in the project, ranging from how the future legal structure and organisation the project will work, to how it will be funded and the broader non-science case for countries investing in the project.
Follow Simon Berry:
About Square Kilometre Array: The Square Kilometre Array intends to build the world’s largest radio telescope, with a square kilometer of collecting area.
Philip Diamond
General Director of Square Kilometre Array
As Director General of the SKA Organisation, Professor Philip Diamond provides overall leadership for the international coordinating body for the SKA telescope. Philip has 30 years’ experience in the field of radio astronomy and a long standing involvement in the SKA project.
Follow Philip Diamond:
About Square Kilometre Array: The Square Kilometre Array intends to build the world’s largest radio telescope, with a square kilometer of collecting area.
Robert Braun
Science Director of Square Kilometre Array
Robert Braun is Science Director at SKA Organization.
Follow Robert Braun:
About Square Kilometre Array: The Square Kilometre Array intends to build the world’s largest radio telescope, with a square kilometer of collecting area.
Neelendra Nath
Director of Innovitas
Follow Neelendra Nath:
About : Innovitas is an innovation intelligence and design company based in London.
Nadia Hutchinson
Global HR Operations Director of Kantar
Nadia Hutchinson is an international human resources leader with wide experience in transformation, change management, shared services and M&A. She joined Kantar at the end of 2018 leading HR Operations globally specifically to embed SaaS technologies, transform payroll and professionalize the HR service delivery model across the group. Her experience at British American Tobacco plc. as part of their global HR transformation team saw her leap into the changing world of digital technologies and data management. Prior to this Nadia led the HR Shared Service function for Standard Chartered Bank across Europe with a focus on risk and compliance that has continued in her career. Nadia is English, holds degrees in History, Spanish and Business Administration whilst also speaking Spanish. Her experience has spanned the data consultancy, media, financial services, management consultancy and magic circle legal organizations management. Otherwise, Nadia is passionate about travel and her young family. In addition, she has been a school governor and is a co-founder of a not-for-profit brokering targeted volunteering to support youth engagement and improve social mobility.
Follow Nadia Hutchinson:
About British American Tobacco, Kantar: Kantar is the data investment management division of WPP, is a global insight, information, and consultancy network.
Matt Robinson
Director of Operations of Lumen Research
Follow Matt Robinson:
About Lumen Research: Lumen is a specialist eye tracking research agency based in London, who help optimise advertising across a number of platforms.
Mike Follett
Managing Director of Lumen Research
Follow Mike Follett:
About Lumen Research: Lumen is a specialist eye tracking research agency based in London, who help optimise advertising across a number of platforms.
Research and Development Director of Lumen Research
Follow Navid Hajimirza:
About Lumen Research: Lumen is a specialist eye tracking research agency based in London, who help optimise advertising across a number of platforms.
David Bassett
Director of Analytics of Lumen Research
Follow David Bassett:
About Lumen Research: Lumen is a specialist eye tracking research agency based in London, who help optimise advertising across a number of platforms.
Guy Weston
Managing Director of Creode
Follow Guy Weston:
About Creode, Open Path: Creode is a digital marketing business that helps companies transform their brands by combining technical skills with brand marketing.
David Jones
CSA, Co-Founder, Director of Re-Vana Therapeutics
David Jones is the Elected Fellow at Royal Statistical Society.
Follow David Jones:
About Irish Academy of Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast, Re-Vana Therapeutics, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Statistical Society, The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, The Royal Society of Chemistry: Re-Vana Therapeutics is a ocular pharmaceuticals & drug delivery company.
Eddie Powell
Finance Director of Cambridge Nutraceuticals
Follow Eddie Powell:
About Cambridge Nutraceuticals: Cambridge Nutraceuticals develops and markets supplements scientifically proven to deliver more of the good.
Nick Snowdon
Director, TNS UK of Kantar TNS
Nick works in a team of 70 dedicated technology and financial services researchers in Kantar TNS UK, awarded he best UK agency for Innovation and B2B research by the Marketing Research Society. Nick holds an Advanced Certificate from the MRS and has worked in technology research for over 11 years including BOP research in Africa and Asia as well as Westernised markets. Managing project teams of intellectually curious researchers, Nick’ portfolio encompasses a varied mix of clients, including mobile networks, FinTech providers, app developers, video gaming developers, smart device manufacturers and social networks. He has wide-ranging experience in the research fields of brand, communications, innovation and CX research, as well as a specialism within Social Media analytics and the integration of Big Data with traditional research. His core expertise lies in research that contributes to thought leadership and in translating business objectives into research design that will help Kantar TNS’ clients identify, optimise and activate against the key moments that matter most for their brand – allowing them to innovate, inspire and prosper.
Follow Nick Snowdon:
About Kantar TNS: Kantar TNSA is a research worldwide agency that provides actionable insights that helps make impactful decisions that drive growth.
Murray Douglas
Research Director of Wood MacKenzie
Murray is Research Director in the Europe Gas Research team responsible for developing Wood Mackenzie’s supply, demand, and price outlooks. He brings 14 years of experience working in a variety of roles across the energy value chain. Previously, Murray has held positions leading Wood Mackenzie’s Global Supply and Modelling Research team, and the Energy Markets Research team. Responsible for developing the company’s oil and gas supply outlooks, and global inter-fuel analysis. Murray’s first five years at Wood Mackenzie were focused on LNG markets which included relocation to Houston to establish Wood Mackenzie’s LNG practice in North America.
Follow Murray Douglas:
About Wood MacKenzie: Wood Mackenzie is a research and consultancy business for the energy, chemicals, metals, and mining industries.
Giles Farrer
Research Director of Wood MacKenzie
Giles directs Wood Mackenzie’s LNG research, maintaining relationships with clients across the world. Having led the development of Woodmac’s LNG Corporate research, Giles now manages Wood Mackenzie’s LNG Service and Tool products, drawing on his ten years of experience in gas & LNG. His particular expertise lies in LNG supply valuation, LNG contracting and pricing, LNG costs, FLNG, competitor benchmarking and market analysis. Prior to joining the LNG team in 2008, Giles worked in Wood Mackenzie’s upstream group covering the Middle East and South Asia. Giles holds a BA in History & Politics from the University of Exeter.
Follow Giles Farrer:
About Wood MacKenzie: Wood Mackenzie is a research and consultancy business for the energy, chemicals, metals, and mining industries.
Carlos Serra Cardenas
Corporate Development Director of Audiense
Carlos Serra is responsible for finance, fundraising and strategic partnerships at Fits.me. Prior to Fits.me, Carlos worked at Strata Partners, a London-based technology-focused corporate finance business; and, before that, for Monroy Petersen, a San Francisco-based M&A specialist. In addition to advising technology entrepreneurs, Carlos has been a Silicon Valley entrepreneur himself. He co-founded a mobile services start-up – iPling, one of the first iPhone applications – and has invested in a number of other small UK/Spanish start-ups and secured the required funding. He has a Law degree from the Universidad Complutense and a Masters in Finance from IEB (Madrid).
Follow Carlos Serra Cardenas:
About Audiense: Audiense is a develops delivering unique consumer insight and engagement capabilities to many of the world’s biggest brands and agencies.
Ralph Risk
Director, Global Marketing & Internal Communication, Profiles Division of Kantar
Follow Ralph Risk:
About Kantar, Lightspeed Research: Kantar is an international data and evidence-based agency that provides clients with actionable insights and recommendations.
Mark Mulligan
Managing Director and Analyst of MIDiA Research
Follow Mark Mulligan:
About MIDiA Research: MIDiA Research is a media and technology analysis company that offers consulting and syndicated research services.
Sarah Carroll
Director of Sales & Marketing of Futuresource Consulting
Follow Sarah Carroll:
About Futuresource Consulting: Futuresource Consulting delivers specialist research and consulting services, providing knowledge, experience, and accuracy.
Ian Roper
Operations Director of Futuresource Consulting
Follow Ian Roper:
About Futuresource Consulting: Futuresource Consulting delivers specialist research and consulting services, providing knowledge, experience, and accuracy.
Andrew Snoad
Director of Research & Analysis of Futuresource Consulting
Follow Andrew Snoad:
About Futuresource Consulting: Futuresource Consulting delivers specialist research and consulting services, providing knowledge, experience, and accuracy.
Tony Bicknell
Director of Service Technology of Futuresource Consulting
Follow Tony Bicknell:
About Futuresource Consulting: Futuresource Consulting delivers specialist research and consulting services, providing knowledge, experience, and accuracy.
Tony Bicknell
Director of Service Technology of Futuresource Consulting
Follow Tony Bicknell:
About Futuresource Consulting: Futuresource Consulting delivers specialist research and consulting services, providing knowledge, experience, and accuracy.
Jonny White
Director of Illuminas
Jonny White is the Founder / CEO at Ticket Tailor.
Follow Jonny White:
About Illuminas, Tixboo: Global market research consultancy
Debrah Harding
Managing Director of The Market Research Society
Debrah is Managing Director of the Market Research Society (MRS), a Vice President of the European Research Federation EFAMRO and an Executive Board member of the Global Research Business Network (GRBN). Debrah leads MRS’ standards, policy and public affairs activities working extensively with government departments and European institutions on issues which affect research, insight and data. Debrah has a wealth of knowledge of ethical codes, guidelines, data protection and on the enforcement of professional & process standards and is co-author of the book, Quality in Market Research: from Theory to Practice. Prior to joining MRS Debrah worked in accountancy and publishing. Debrah is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and the RSA; and a Trustee of the McDougall Trust, a charity which promotes public understanding of electoral democracy.
Follow Debrah Harding:
About The Market Research Society: The Market Research Society (MRS) is the world’s leading authority for the research, insight, marketing science and data analytics sectors.
David Manson
Technology & Product Director of Conservation by Design
Follow David Manson:
About Conservation by Design: Conservation by Design is part of an international group dedicated to working with conservators from museums.
Daniel Mettyear
Research Director Africa & Wine of International Wine & Spirit Research
As analyst for the IWSR, Daniel Mettyear has spent the past ten years getting to the heart of market dynamics and drivers in over 30 countries, across five different regions. Now as research director for the wine category, he is drawing on his experience in a number of key producer and consumer markets to determine how the movements and trends of today are shaping the future of wine going forward.
Follow Daniel Mettyear:
About International Wine & Spirit Research: The IWSR is a global provider of data and market intelligence on beverage alcohol.
Sharon Cluett
Creative Director of Dataloft
Sharon is a talented graphic designer across a broad range of creative disciplines including; publishing, branding, marketing and web design and has been a key member of the Dataloft team for many years. Her universal understanding of the business allows her to create visually impactful and meticulous design solutions from illustrated property research reports, unique infographics, logos and brand identities to e-marketing campaigns.
Follow Sharon Cluett:
About Dataloft: Dataloft is an established property market intelligence company with a long track record of analysing and reporting on the housing market.
Rory Black
Director of Dataloft
Rory is an experienced marketer with many years spent in top advertising agencies and marketing positions. Rory uses his skills to help produce our bespoke market reports, promote Dataloft and advise our clients on getting the most from our products. He is particularly involved in marketing our online subscription tool Inform.
Follow Rory Black:
About Dataloft: Dataloft is an established property market intelligence company with a long track record of analysing and reporting on the housing market.
Sandra Jones
Managing Director of Dataloft
Sandra keeps a strategic eye on all Dataloft’s client reports and is actively involved in consultancy assignments. With a career that has spanned commercial and residential markets, she has a particular interest in institutional investment in residential property. She has written widely on property for national and trade press and is a regular speaker at seminars and conferences.
Follow Sandra Jones:
About Dataloft: Dataloft is an established property market intelligence company with a long track record of analysing and reporting on the housing market.
Anna Zaccaria
Research Director of Dataloft
Anna is a highly experienced and technical housing market analyst, leading on client reports and managing the development and product management of our online analytics platform. Anna has overseen the integration of large datasets and devised a wide range of housing market models and indices for private consultancy projects and client publications.
Follow Anna Zaccaria:
About Dataloft: Dataloft is an established property market intelligence company with a long track record of analysing and reporting on the housing market.
Anna Zaccaria
Research Director of Dataloft
Anna is a highly experienced and technical housing market analyst, leading on client reports and managing the development and product management of our online analytics platform. Anna has overseen the integration of large datasets and devised a wide range of housing market models and indices for private consultancy projects and client publications.
Follow Anna Zaccaria:
About Dataloft: Dataloft is an established property market intelligence company with a long track record of analysing and reporting on the housing market.
Damien Field
Managing Director of MM-Eye
Follow Damien Field:
About MM-Eye: MM-Eye is a market research agency, specialising in quant, qual and online research for the automotive and mobility industries.
Karen Levesley
Research Director of MM-Eye
Follow Karen Levesley:
About MM-Eye: MM-Eye is a market research agency, specialising in quant, qual and online research for the automotive and mobility industries.
Meg Rudman-Walsh
Associate Director of MM-Eye
Follow Meg Rudman-Walsh:
About MM-Eye: MM-Eye is a market research agency, specialising in quant, qual and online research for the automotive and mobility industries.
Julian Cole
Director and Co-Founder of Dipolar
Julian Cole is a Director and Co-Founder of Dipolar. Julian manages strategy and sales within the business, and is heavily involved in the development and release of this year’s Web Community Creator software.
Follow Julian Cole:
About Dipolar: Dipolar is a complete Cloud-based Solution For Market Research.
Rupert Smith
Director of Communications of Newsworks
Rupert Smith is the Director of Communications at Newsworks.
Follow Rupert Smith:
About Newsworks: Newsworks is a marketing agency helping agencies and advertisers get the most out of news brands for national newspapers.
Kate Hanaghan
Research Director of TechMarketView
Follow Kate Hanaghan:
About TechMarketView: TechMarketView LLP provides authoritative research and analysis on the technology.
Rossie Harris
Operations Director of One2Create Ltd
Follow Rossie Harris:
About One2Create Ltd: Based in Hampshire, One2create is a digital marketing agency with a difference. Ensuring everything has a purpose is our ethos.
Dave Harris
Managing Director of One2Create Ltd
Follow Dave Harris:
About One2Create Ltd: Based in Hampshire, One2create is a digital marketing agency with a difference. Ensuring everything has a purpose is our ethos.
