I formally set-up Stone Market Research in April 2022, alongside my work as Senior Research Consultant to Ardent Market Research and Consultancy Associate (Insight) to London Sport.Since that time, I have had opportunity to work on a fascinating range of projects for a wide variety of clients in private and public sectors, business and leisure; and among the public, professionals and stakeholders at home and abroad.Research remains my passion. I love what I do and derive great… Show more I formally set-up Stone Market Research in April 2022, alongside my work as Senior Research Consultant to Ardent Market Research and Consultancy Associate (Insight) to London Sport.Since that time, I have had opportunity to work on a fascinating range of projects for a wide variety of clients in private and public sectors, business and leisure; and among the public, professionals and stakeholders at home and abroad.Research remains my passion. I love what I do and derive great satisfaction from helping clients to better understand the attitudes, choices, needs and experiences of those with whom they wish to engage. Show less

In order to meet the need for methodologically robust market research for the sports industry, Michael, together with Jack Murray (former Head of Market Research at Kantar Sport), set up Sport MR.In its short lifetime, Sport MR has become well established in sports research providing insight to sports federations and properties including England Golf, the Lawn Tennis Association, TEAM, the Irish Rugby Football Union and the MCC; and to sports marketing consultancies including Limelight… Show more In order to meet the need for methodologically robust market research for the sports industry, Michael, together with Jack Murray (former Head of Market Research at Kantar Sport), set up Sport MR.In its short lifetime, Sport MR has become well established in sports research providing insight to sports federations and properties including England Golf, the Lawn Tennis Association, TEAM, the Irish Rugby Football Union and the MCC; and to sports marketing consultancies including Limelight Sports and Sportcal. In association with our partner Sportcal, we are running a series of tourism, economic impact and fan experience surveys at international events across a range of sports including the World Games in Wroclaw, plus World Championships in skiing, table tennis, wrestling and archery. We are also conducting sponsorship research on behalf of a major property in football. We have just launched ‘Hearts & Minds’ a major syndicated, monthly study looking at measuring and improving the level of sports participation in the UK by understanding the drivers and the barriers to participation. Our Sports Event Spotlight research captures levels of interest and intention to follow leading sports events as they happen. We have monitored over 400 events to date across 36 sports. Sport MR combines a strong research pedigree with a detailed understanding of how the sports market works. Our low overheads and strong partnerships mean that we offer competitive, creative & compelling research programmes. We are independent which means that we can choose the best solutions rather than branded products. We look at developments in the wider research and sports world to incorporate the latest thinking into what we offer. Sport MR works with its many industry partners including Populus Data Solutions, My Customer Lens, XY Media, Mediametrie and Sportcal to offer modern, creative solutions for capturing data and opinions and reporting back to clients in a fresh and vibrant way. Show less

Michael was employed as Head of Research. having previously worked extensively as a consultant on projects including an assessment of the economic impact of golf on European economies, evaluating the barriers to entry for the sports of basketball and table tennis in England and assessing the effectiveness of the hospitality offerings at The Championships, Wimbledon.

Following the sale of IFM Sports Marketing Surveys, Michael chose to return to working as an Independent Research Consultant. During this period, Michael worked on a range of projects in the sports field, most notably overseeing the European Golf Economic Impact Study on behalf of Sports Marketing Surveys Inc. (a distinctly different business from IFM Sports Marketing Surveys). (SMS Inc. was engaged by the PGA of GB&I in association with a number of the other key golfing bodies in Europe.)

Prior to the sale of the business, Michael headed the Research and Consultancy Division. Brought in with a brief to improve the research offering of the business and the research skills of the team, Michael was able to offer broader research knowledge and experience than had previously been available to the business and was, therefore, able to meet the objective of broadening and improving the technical skills of the team and the overall research offer of the business.Michael was also… Show more Prior to the sale of the business, Michael headed the Research and Consultancy Division. Brought in with a brief to improve the research offering of the business and the research skills of the team, Michael was able to offer broader research knowledge and experience than had previously been available to the business and was, therefore, able to meet the objective of broadening and improving the technical skills of the team and the overall research offer of the business.Michael was also able to combine his passion for sport with 25 years of market research experience, during which he has acquired extensive knowledge of the research industry and of how to identify the key determinants of attitude and behaviour of customers, potential customers and employees. Show less

For two years Michael worked exclusively on the Transport for London account, developing a wealth of public transport research knowledge. • Michael was promoted to Key Account Director in 2008.• Michael was successful in balancing the sometimes conflicting requirements of different stakeholders and adapting to the significantly different policy priorities which followed the change of London Mayor in 2008.• From 2009 Michael took on the management of additional client… Show more For two years Michael worked exclusively on the Transport for London account, developing a wealth of public transport research knowledge. • Michael was promoted to Key Account Director in 2008.• Michael was successful in balancing the sometimes conflicting requirements of different stakeholders and adapting to the significantly different policy priorities which followed the change of London Mayor in 2008.• From 2009 Michael took on the management of additional client relationships, in particular with Land Registry, developing the relationship to the point that the agency became sole research supplier. Show less

Michael was appointed as a Full Board Director in order to bring business development and management skills to the business as a whole

Michael developed the market research offer from scratch• Secured numerous large contracts including research from HSBC which generated more than £2 million in fees. Secured business from numerous other clients including Morgan Stanley, Safeway, BT and the Law Society• Managed and delivered quantitative and qualitative research projects• Responsible for identifying the appropriate methodology to meet the requirements of each brief • Conducted customer, employee… Show more Michael developed the market research offer from scratch• Secured numerous large contracts including research from HSBC which generated more than £2 million in fees. Secured business from numerous other clients including Morgan Stanley, Safeway, BT and the Law Society• Managed and delivered quantitative and qualitative research projects• Responsible for identifying the appropriate methodology to meet the requirements of each brief • Conducted customer, employee and membership research in numerous sectors including financial, healthcare, telecommunications, retail, professional associations• Directly responsible for a team of up to nine people• Trained and developed skills of team members Show less

Michael’s success in developing the market research offer resulted in his appointment to the Board, whilst retaining his responsibilities as Head of Market Research