It started with a Christmas pudding…stay with us…

Where did it all begin?

It started with a Christmas pudding…what makes the perfect pud? When and where are people buying them? And does anyone actually still like them?!

This was our first research project together outside of our day jobs, which came about through a somewhat random existing connection. And in case you’re wondering…37% say it’s ESSENTIAL to have a Christmas pudding every year, but 60% are also buying another dessert (shout out to my fellow chocolate lovers).

For a local luxury Christmas pudding company, in a little over a month we’d got 131 responses to an online survey, done desk research exploring Christmas dessert market trends, carried out customer segmentation using postcode analysis, and delivered a report with recommendations for marketing opportunities.

Not bad, hey?! This lit a fire in us. We were on a high when we finished the project, and not just because of the free puddings. We saw what could be possible when we were in the driving seat, and relished the chance to do something a bit different, using our research skills in more creative ways.

Whilst working as local government researchers, we’d often find ourselves saying things like “we could do this better ourselves”, or “does it have to be this hard, why can’t we just keep things simple?!” Over time and once we’d got a taste for what kind of work we could do ‘on the outside’, the idea took hold…and SMPL Research was born.

We started to keep an eye out for other opportunities, and since it all began we’ve done research into young women’s experiences around transport safety, an evidence review into loneliness support services, and several evaluations including women’s safety programmes, family hub services and a Police behaviour change campaign, to name a few.

So, who are we?

We are a small team of three who were colleagues and then friends, forming the unshakeable bond that comes from years of working together, through the stress, the laughter, and more than a few pub chats.

Poppy, our Managing Director, keeps things running smoothly and is driven by doing research that makes a difference.

Poppy has a sharp eye for detail and takes a people-first approach, with a passion for crafting reports that don’t just sit on a shelf – they bring insights to life and inspire change.

Poppy is owned by two cats, is a reluctant runner and part of the parkrun cult, and enjoys a holiday (the more adventurous destinations include New Zealand and Japan!)

Sean, our Director of Research and Evaluation, keeps his eye on the ball to ensure every project delivers solid insights. He is all about turning data – both numbers and narratives – into something meaningful.

With a background in local authority research as well as sports psychology and youth work, Sean brings a fresh and innovative approach to research which puts people at the heart.

Sean has a love/love relationship with football and was fortunate (in a previous life) to play at a professional level. He sees the best in any situation and loves any live event whether it be sporting, concerts or theatre.

Maura, our Field Director, brings over 20 years of experience in research, engagement, and frontline work with diverse communities – there’s not much she doesn’t know.

Maura is a champion of inclusivity, breaking down barriers so that everyone can be heard. She’s a natural at building trust, and is passionate about co-production in research.

Maura has a positive attitude to life and is happy at a playpark with family as well as being out in the adult world, enjoying a good meal, music and travelling.

What are we all about?

We believe that good research doesn’t have to be complicated, and keep it simple to deliver insights that make an impact.

Specialising in social research and evaluation for the public and voluntary sector, we have skills in the usual methods like interviews, surveys and focus groups, as well as more creative approaches like digital ethnography which we love using to bring experiences to life.

We like to think we add a little extra something to the world of research with our straight-talking, person-centred approach. We only ever work on projects we truly care about, and are passionate about putting participants’ voices at the heart of everything we do.

We have decades of experience between us, and with our research expertise we also bring an understanding of the complexities involved in delivering public services (we’ve been there!) Through our collective careers we’ve done research on all sorts – from bus services, recycling habits and libraries, to hate crime, children in care, and domestic abuse.

This means we’ve engaged with people from all walks of life, and know how to make research truly inclusive.

It may have started with a Christmas pudding…but it grew from our love of doing research that matters, with the people we love working with.

Think we could help you?

We’re keen to work with more organisations who share our values. If you think there is something we can help you with, or even if you just fancy a chat, we’d love to hear from you!

Get in touch at hello@smplresearch.co.uk or find us on Linked In.