Explain helps organisations develop service excellence, build better brands and become more competitive through customer, staff and stakeholder insight.
Our ethos and culture
Each member of the team is committed to the values associated with the Explain brand. We carry out a rigorous recruitment, induction and training policy; selecting people not only on the abilities and skills they bring to the team but the contribution they can make to the world outside our door too.
We are proud to have been elected a Culture for Success Ambassador, following a double win in the Service Network awards in 2008 and again in 2010 in the small business category. The judge’s summary stated the award was made in recognition of "outstanding achievement in developing the business through four key areas".
• The training and development of people – our biggest asset
• Our approach to client management and service commitment
• Our success in growing sales last year
• Our contribution to the North East Region and economy
These are important, tangible qualities, that clients can see and feel in the way we develop partnerships with them but they also form the backbone of the company we aspire to be.
We understand that clients place trust in us to provide them with insight and innovation; to spot trends and opportunities to be different and more successful. The dynamics of that process are what we believe in and at the very heart of what drives us forward in a climate of constant change.
The relationship with some clients goes back 15 years and in the final analysis they are the judges of what we provide, what we add to their proposition and the bottom line, be it measured in financial gain or improved understanding; in short what we stand for and deliver.
John Crinson
Market Research Executive (Quantitative)
Experience:
John returned to Explain in 2005 after completing a placement with the company as part of his BA (Hons) in Business and Marketing. John works within the quant team where his expertise is statistical analysis and quantitative methodologies. He is the key contact for several major clients including Northern Powergrid, Housing 21, Skipton Building Society, Yorkshire Building Society and Sage. John has considerable experience in the design, execution and analysis of research involving tracking, advertising evaluations, product reviews and customer satisfaction. A die hard mackem and leading UK motorcycle trial rider he takes his role as the office wind-up merchant very seriously.
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David Shiel (MRS member)
Managing Director
Experience:
David has over 30 years experience in marketing and market research at board level in major blue chip businesses and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. David founded Explain in 1993 and remains closely involved with larger clients on the strategic interpretation of their research programmes. He is a visiting lecturer at Newcastle Business School, an active member of Entrepreneurs Forum and Service Network and a regular contributor in business media. First in the office of a morning before 7am, a keen skier, reader and golf addict and a definite psychometric challenge.
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Kim Davis (MRS member)
Research Director
Experience:
With over ten years experience in qualitative and quantitative research, Kim has managed major projects in both the public and private sectors. Her role at Explain involves directing and supporting the research teams in all projects, using her considerable experience to provide insight, guidance and strategic interpretation of results. In a nutshell, Kim calls the shots.
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Jill Pate
Market Research Executive (Quantitative)
Experience:
Jill has an academic background in Geographical research, covering both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and an employment background involving planning and finance. Special interests lie in social research, in particular topics such as social exclusion, fear and urban regeneration. As a member of the quantitative team at Explain, Jill manages projects on Northumbrian Water, Home Housing and Yorkshire Building Society.
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Lucy Swan
Head of Qualitative Research
Experience:
Lucy has over ten years experience in marketing and account management; working with public and private sector organisations such as The North East Strategic Health Authority, NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Intersnack. Client liaison and project management are key to Lucy's role ensuring projects are managed effectively and delivered on-time, meeting clients' needs and adding value. Lucy is currently working on behalf of the region's Strategic Health Authority and PCT's, specialising in social marketing research using qualitative techniques carefully designed to reflect the sensitivity of the topics. As the Head of Qualitative Research, Lucy is happy to have found a career in "chatting" where she can show off her extensive wardrobe.
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Kelly Keohane
Call Centre Supervisor
Experience:
As Call Centre Supervisor, Kelly manages the day to day running of our in-house CATI call centre and data processing unit ensuring strict quality control procedures are always adhered to. Our sophisticated call recording system enables calls to be monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. Working closely with Nicola, the Call Centre Manager, Kelly manages and implements staff training and development programmes ensuring the team are fully briefed on projects and are equipped with the knowledge and resources required to carry out the research efficiently.
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Emma Dallolio
Head of Quantitative Research
Experience:
Emma heads up the quantitative team at Explain. With over 10 years research experience both agency and in-house for Gregg’s Plc along with her MSc in Applied Social Research, Emma has a thorough understanding of quantitative research techniques, analysis using statistical software and interpretation of results for client presentation. Emma’s role will be to manage the quant team, supporting them on all projects and liaising with clients to deliver the insight with strategic interpretation.
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Joanne Loughlin-Ridley
Market Research Executive (Qualitative)
Experience:
Having achieved a 1st class honours degree and a distinction during her Masters, Jo partners Becca in the qual team as our academic brains. She specialises in social research and theory, and has in-depth knowledge of qualitative methodologies. Her research experience has recently included work on behalf of North Tyneside PCT and NHS Hull. In particular, Jo enjoys social marketing research projects into sensitive subject matters such as sexual health awareness and unintended teenage pregnancy. Other areas of research Jo has recently enjoyed include, COPD, Stroke, breastfeeding, and what makes for a 'good death'.
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http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/joanne-loughlin-ridley/27/5b4/3a3
Rebecca Johnson
Market Research Executive (Qualitative)
Experience:
Rebecca joined Explain after graduating from Uni with a first class honours degree in Marketing Management in 2008. She works with both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, currently specialising in qualitative research as a trained moderator. Rebecca manages several accounts within the private and public sector and her key clients currently include Nova, SP Energy Networks and Husqvarna. Social marketing is of particular interest to Rebecca and her current focus is centred on health sector research. As the office chatterbox, no matter where you are in the building you can always hear Becca!
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Susan Davis
Fieldwork and Administration Manager
Experience:
Susan began working for Explain in 2003. She has overall responsibility for on-street fieldwork interviews and recruitment. Susan's role also includes ensuring we meet the highest standards of professionalism and excellence; enforcing the MRS Code of Practice to provide quality assurance to all clients. She is also the principal administrator who gets it done. If Susan answers the phone after one ring, don't be alarmed, she is THAT efficient!
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Nicola Thomas
Call Centre Manager
Experience:
Nicola has overall responsibility for our in-house CATI centre based in South Gosforth. Supported by Kelly, she manages a team of 25 part time telephone interviewers ensuring the highest quality of fieldwork is carried out. Since coming into the roll, Nicola has implemented stringent quality checking procedures and call monitoring processes. She has a monthly meeting with all call centre staff to review progress in terms of achieving targets without compromising quality.
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Stephen Slater
Non Executive Director
Experience:
Stephen has joined the Explain team as a non-executive director, supporting the director’s board on strategy and decision making. Stephen is also a partner in RMT Accountants and Business Advisors based in Newcastle upon Tyne.
He joined RMT in 1993 shortly after qualifying as a chartered accountant. He also set up RMT Technology Limited, an IT services company owned by the accounting practice, in 1998 and still acts as Managing Director of the company.
One of his specialist areas of work is with potential high growth, innovative pre-start and early stage businesses, particularly digital, creative and technology companies, and works with a number of the regions innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, providing support around financial mentoring, business structuring, business planning and finance raising.
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t: 0191 261 5261 
