Research you can act on
Our Team
We’re a diverse team with a wide range of backgrounds and expertise. By combining our talents and skills we create our unique approach to research. What we all share is a passion for delivering high quality research and great customer service.
Sarah Mather
Perfectionist and self-confessed workaholic, Sarah Mather is our founder and managing director. Having worked in research for over 20 years, with more than 10 years experience of research within the built environment, Sarah ensures we are constantly improving, innovating and adding value to what we do.
Most likely to say: What’s the insight?
Least likely to say: I’m taking tomorrow off.
Mike Krzyzanowski
Mike constantly disproves the theory that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks! Mike, our chairman, is a long standing member of the MRS and Marketing Society. He reinvented his skills in the digital world about ten years before it became mainstream and now weaves his planning and insight skills into client experience and data analytics for our clients.
Most likely to say: What are their goals?
Least likely to say: I need a drink!
Ewen Cameron
Ewen Cameron is our technical supremo. He’s able to sort out the most taxing and terrifying technical tantrums, coolly, calmly and with unfailing good humour. Ewen is also a talented photographer and a seasoned globe trotter.
Most likely to say: More gadgets, please!
Least likely to say: Computer says no!
Holly Shepard
A native of Las Vegas, Holly traded the neon lights of Sin City for the peaceful coastline of the Isle of Wight. That was thirteen years ago, and she hasn't looked back. With degrees in History, French and Education, Holly’s great strengths lie in writing and maintaining the quality of our reporting. Always busy, she tries to stay one step ahead of her 7-year-old son and just about manages to keep pace with her Jack Russell puppy. When not retrieving shoes from the garden, Holly enjoys sea swimming, running and playing board games.
Most likely to say: Viva Las Vegas!
Least likely to say: I love it when my shoes look chewed!
Emma Adams
Our senior project manager, Emma Adams, has a background in television and her strong communication and multi tasking skills make her a great asset to the team. Mother of three, Emma enjoys sailing, films and rugby, particularly when her son scores a try! Emma is fluent in French and Italian.
Most likely to say: Let’s get on with it!
Least likely to say: I slept for 10 hours last night!
Liz Aked
Liz Aked has spent the last couple of decades travelling across the world sourcing wine for a raft of well known retailers. A trained negotiator, educator and tennis referee, Liz has all the skills that make her an astute researcher. She would also be extremely useful in a hostage situation! Liz lives in Yorkshire and Northamptonshire with her canoeist husband.
Most likely to say: Let’s unravel that a bit more...
Least likely to say: Let’s go canoeing!
Donna Bowden
Donna Bowden is our head of Quality Control. As a former PwC accountant, she is invaluable to the team for her good humour and razor sharp analytical skills. This busy mother of three is someone we can always depend on to pinpoint any issues and give feedback in a positive manner. Donna is a QPR supporter and season ticket holder!
Most likely to say: Check it, check it, check it!
Least likely to say: That’s looks approximately right!
Helen Sime
Helen studied Mechanical Engineering and has worked in production, planning and management roles in the manufacturing industry as well as public and charitable sectors. Helen lives in Northamptonshire and is a keen swimmer and crafter.
Most likely to say: Leave that with me.
Least likely to say: Let’s just wing it!
Carolyn Holmes
Carolyn is an accomplished professional with an extensive background in hospitality, wine and nutrition. A self-motivated, senior consultant with a 'can do attitude', she enjoys working to deadlines, responding to client needs, building cohesive teams, coordinating programs and communicating at all levels. She loves supporting clients to identify and make positives changes. Carolyn is also a fully trained wine auctioneer.
Most likely to say: Going, going, gone!
Least likely to say: I have no taste for Champagne.
Lucy Stephens
With a background in journalism, Lucy’s skills lie in writing, interviewing, analysing, proof-reading, re-writing … but she believes the most important thing of all is listening. When not doing that, she’ll probably be found with her family, most likely at the ice rink in Nottingham where one daughter is a keen ice-skater, or the local stables where the other rides. Lucy loves music and would like to have more time to play her piano and selection of differently sized recorders.
Most likely to say: Shall we talk about that … over a STRONG coffee?
Least likely to say: I’ve got nothing to say about that.
Sue Baughan
Sue has a background in public health-related research and analysis. Her training in quality improvement and incident investigation is an excellent basis for her role with us. Based in the historic city of York, Sue loves to go walking and cycling in God’s own county (and occasionally beyond!). She loves a new challenge and has recently taken up rowing.
Most likely to say: It's only a bit of rain!
Least likely to say: It's grim up north!
Sophie Burkett
Sophie Burkett has spent the last 25 years working as a programme, project and change manager in blue chip companies, charities and public-sector organisations. Sophie is a ball of energy, throwing herself head-long into everything she does. She loves sport, music and travelling.
Most likely to say: I like a little harmony.
Least likely to say: I’m out for a duck!
Peter Godfrey
Peter’s career has been spent in business and product development, planning and market research with an eclectic mix of corporations in the petro chemical industry, banking and global FMCG. Stronger than he looks and wiser then he knows - a very rare fish - with an intuitive knowledge of all things practical; Peter likes to be the most useful person in the room. Impressively, he has overseen and project managed the building of his home, which he shares with his wife and sometime adopted cat.
Most likely to say: The answer is YES. What’s the Question?
Least likely to say: That can’t be done.
Jill Dudley
Jill considered retirement, when the architect practice she managed closed down, but very quickly realised that it just didn’t suit her! She missed working and meeting deadlines. One of the stars of our production team, Jill loves working as a transcriptionist as it allows her the flexibility to fit her work around her friends and family. Jill is very active; she enjoys walking, dancing and Zumba
Most likely to say: Let’s organise an outing!
Least likely to say: I have no holiday planned.
Beverley Navarro
Beverley joins us with over 25 years’ success in leading teams and managing projects in customer focused business sectors including Hotel Management, Aviation, Finance, Selection and Recruitment. She has valuable experience in research, a gift for training others, and is never afraid to challenge the status quo. In her spare time, Beverley loves the great outdoors and is probably at her happiest when out on a hike or just being by the sea!
Most likely to say: I think I can see an opportunity to simplify that.
Least likely to say: Let’s just stick with what we know.