North East-based insight agency Explain Market Research has announced a series of strategic hires to support the company’s continued growth on the back of high-profile national projects wins.
With a 30-year legacy in evidence-based insight and an expanding national footprint, Explain is positioning itself as a leading voice in research-led decision-making. As well as working nationally, it takes pride in its North East heritage and supports a host of local organisations.
Among the new recruits is Helen Clegg (right), who joins as associate insight director. With more than a decade of experience across sectors including utilities, finance, transport and technology, Clegg brings deep strategic insight and academic credentials, including a PhD in health promotion and an MSc in Social Research.
Also joining the senior team is Simon Moll (left), associate insight director, who brings over 20 years of research leadership experience from both agency and in-house roles. Moll previously led the market insight team at Northumbria University and held global research responsibilities at FTSE100 company Sage.
READ MORE: Former Dentsu chief joins Newcastle immersive tech firm following £3m funding boost
Other appointments include Simisola Iyiola (centre), joining as compliance officer, supporting GDPR, ISO and information security across the business and Pauline Trotry, joining as insight officer, holding a PhD in qualitative research and with experience of working on national and international projects.
Kim Davis, CEO at Explain said: “We’ve entered 2025 with incredible momentum. Our team is now stronger than ever, and the appointments of Helen, Simon, Simisola and Pauline are key to helping us meet the ambitions of both our clients and our business. We’re proud to be delivering insight projects that have a direct impact on people’s lives, including being awarded a competitive tender to deliver the analysis of a large-scale public consultation this year. These new hires reflect our commitment to delivering excellence, innovation and impact for clients, supporting them to gain clarity, solve problems and meaningfully engage their audiences.”
Explain says that its working culture is a key driver of its success. It holds an advanced award from the newly formed SHINE workplace culture initiative from the North East Combined Authority, recognising the leadership team’s commitment to creating an environment where employees are happy, healthy, and well rewarded.
Explain is a full-service research agency with specialism across quantitative, qualitative, and digital methodologies and has been delivering insight since the nineties.
