TOUCHSTONE PARTNERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Head of Qualitative Research
With over 20 years of qualitative exploration into shopper behaviour, across a variety of sectors, FMCG research is the backbone of Anna's expertise. Her deep dive into all-things grocery, was kick started via a strong grounding at IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution). She has worked alongside Shoppercentric for the last 15 years, feeding into projects across a variety of sectors. No shopper gets away with the easy answer when Anna is on the case.
Ivar is an experienced neuroscientist with a passion for computer science. He started using eye tracking in his research 15 years ago and has since become an expert in both computer vision and machine learning. Currently his focus lies on algorithm development as well as large-scale deployment of algorithms as a service.
Hannah joined the team in May 2021 as a Trainee Research Executive after having spent three years obtaining her undergraduate degree in psychology. Working alongside Rob and Jasper and aiding the Research Directors, Hannah can be found diving into both qualitative and quantitative project work where she conducts various tasks including analysing data and creating reports.
Jamie's experience spans across both client and agency side. From pioneering behavioural shopper insight 20 years ago to today: designing global research programmes, decoding and disseminating insight back into the sales and marketing functions of global companies, to elicit change and unlock brand growth.
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Executive
After working in operations for a tour operator, Jasper joined Touchstone as a Trainee Research Executive in early 2019. With a creative mind and a fine attention to detail he supports many areas of the business. On a day to day basis he usually works alongside Rob, assisting the directors with project work. Consisting of report creation, data analysis and bringing results alive with digital output.
Jon Darby - Managing Director
Starting out in agency side operations, Jon rose rapidly. He is highly experienced in all methods of data collection and analysis. He enjoys the challenge in creating innovative and practical solutions to address complex research objectives. He sees the effective visualisation of research information as a key to successful project delivery.
Julie has more than 12 years' experience agency side. With a love of qualitative research, Julie enjoys working collaboratively with clients/ global brands across FMCG, Retail, Food & drink sectors. Using a behavioural science lens to unpick the complex web of factors involved in customer choices, she is passionate about delivering actionable insight to improve customer experience & drive business performance.
Job Titles:
- Trainee Research Executive
Lauren joined Touchstone in September 2022 after recently completing her Masters degree in Forensic Psychology and her undergraduate in the same area. Lauren works alongside Rob and Hannah on a daily basis. She aids our Research Directors in the set up and project management of both qualitative and quantitative projects through to the analysis of data collected and the creation of reports.
Marie has 20 years agency side consumer market research experience (GfK, Nielsen, Savanta (previously The Oxford Research Agency / Future Thinking). A specialist in FMCG business, with a keen interest in new product development research, including concept testing, product testing, ranging, and packaging evaluation. With her friendly professionalism, building close working relationships with clients is one of Marie's core values.
After teaching English in Hong Kong for 4 years, Rob returned to the UK to start his career in Market Research. Rob is heavily involved in all operational aspects of the business from building virtual shelves and project setup to data analysis and report creation. Rob has a keen eye for data quality and can often be found scouring through data at a detective-level to ensure all our data is top quality.
Having cut her teeth as a Global Brand Manager at NIVEA HQ (Beiersdorf AG), Sarah has since gained 15+ years wide-ranging research and insight experience with UK & international FMCG and Healthcare businesses. She is adept in working across Insight, Marketing, R&D and Customer teams to maximise learning and outcomes from insight-driven projects.
Tim's background is in blue-chip clients and suppliers: He worked at Distillers (pre-Diageo) and Unilever before moving to Research International and then ACNielsen. This experience, along with a sensitivity to client needs, enables him to design the most appropriate solutions for business needs and budgets, particularly in the leisure market.