EPR Philosophy

EPR's business has been built on 3 platforms:

an intelligent, thoughtful and cost-conscious approach,

we understand the importance of treating each project on an individual basis and do not seek to apply standard formulae to problem solving

insistence on high quality,

including close control over interviewing staff and attention to detail in relation to data processing and reporting.  EPR takes pride in the quality of its reports and presentations

customer service that is second to none,

recognising that all clients have different expectations and requirements

Our priority is to build relationships with our clients, based on confidence and trust.

Key Staff

Vicki Harvey (B.ScTech),

Managing Director

is a founding director of EPR. She worked in technical R&D for 5 years before moving to market research. Her 30 years' experience includes consumer, business and social research, both qualitative and quantitative.

Vicki has exceptional experience of research in the water industry and has worked for 7 of the leading water companies in the UK. In addition she has worked extensively in related sectors such as energy, the environment, building, property and heritage. She has a particular interest in sustainability issues across the board, from conservation of older buildings to the prospects for zero carbon homes.

Outside of these sectors, Vicki works across a broad range of research topics and industries including image studies, customer satisfaction, stakeholders, marketing communications, segmentation studies and market mapping.

Marilyn Duffy,

Services Director

All analysis and data processing is carried out in-house under the supervision of Marilyn Duffy, Services Director. Marilyn joined EPR in 1990, became an associate director in 1994 and a main board director in 1997. She has some 30 years experience of market research and is familiar with a number of analysis packages.

Marilyn is also responsible for quality control, an area which EPR takes very seriously.

Sharon Curtis,

Senior Consultant

graduated in International Management and French from UMIST (University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology) and worked in sales before embarking on a 13 year career in international business and public sector market research. She has worked both in agencies and as an independent consultant across a broad spectrum of industry sectors. Topics have included customer satisfaction, brand and corporate image studies, new product/concept testing & development, stakeholder consultation, market assessment and acquisition & due diligence research.

Sharon specialises in qualitative depth interviewing and focus group moderation, with a strong aptitude for interviewing senior executives in UK and overseas companies. She is skilled in interpreting research findings to deliver clear and actionable market insight and has been instrumental in developing effective market strategies for many corporate and public sector clients.

Sue Law,

Senior Consultant

Sue has worked with EPR since its inception. Primarily a qualitative researchers, her experience covers the industrial, medical, social, financial and public sectors. Sues key areas of expertise include training, the NHS, construction, energy, food & drink, packaging and export markets. Overseas work has includes a number of industrial sectors including machinery, packaging, textiles and chemicals.

Sue moderates focus groups and has a successful track record in interviewing at all management levels both face to face and by telephone. She works on a variety of research areas including corporate image, customer satisfaction, strategic decisions, advertising and market testing.

Resources

Interviewing

EPR has a nationwide fieldforce of 400 interviewers under the control of 12 regional supervisors.

In addition, there is a team of executive interviewers, most of whom have held senior positions in industry.

EPR has a 8-station, in-house telephone unit, experienced in both consumer and business-to-business research.

The majority of interviewing and support staff have been employed for over 5 years.

Focus groups

Focus group recruitment is undertaken either by the telephone unit or specialist recruiters. All group moderation is undertaken by EPR directors and senior staff.

Data processing

All coding, analysis, data entry and data processing is carried out in-house.