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Frequently asked questions
Whether you’re commissioning a one-off report or looking for ongoing senior research support, these FAQs cover how we work, what you can expect, and how we handle things like confidentiality, timelines and collaboration. If you can’t find the answer you need, send us your brief and we’ll come back with clear next steps.
Can I meet my research team face-to-face?
This is not usually possible because our team and researchers are based all around the world. We usually find video calls or phone calls more than suffice. Of course, if this is something that is very important to you, there are ways that we can facilitate a face-to-face meeting in special circumstances.
Can I choose from your pre-selection of researchers?
Yes, of course! We will make our recommendations based on qualifications, expertise and prior experience – however, these are only suggestions and should you decide to select a different final team to our initial selection, we’re more than happy to oblige.
Can you work with my current researchers/team members?
Yes, of course. We’re used to collaborating with both in-house teams and external researchers, and we’re happy to fit into the way your project is already set up. We can work alongside existing partners, take on clearly defined parts of the research, or provide senior oversight.
Is the work you produce mine, or do you retain the copyright?
Work we produce is commissioned for you and is yours to use as you see fit. In most cases, you’re free to deliver it to your own clients under your service name, including where you’re acting as a white-label or ghost research partner.
The main exception is formal publication, such as academic journals or similar outlets, where authorship, attribution and licensing requirements can vary and may involve an additional fee. We’ll always flag this upfront and agree the terms in advance, so there are no surprises.
What sort of clients use you?
We work directly with SMEs across a range of industries, as well as with consultancies who use us as a white-label research partner for their own clients.
For SMEs, we provide senior research expertise without the overhead of building an in-house team. For consultancies, we offer flexible, behind-the-scenes support that expands their capacity or specialist coverage while allowing them to stay client-facing. In both cases, our work is shaped to the specific sector, brief and commercial context involved.
Is your service fully confidential?
Yes. All our work is treated as strictly confidential. We do not disclose our involvement to third parties, and we never publicise client engagements without explicit permission.
Any information you share with us is handled securely and used only for the purposes of delivering your project. We follow GDPR-compliant data handling practices, apply appropriate technical and organisational safeguards, and restrict access to project data to those directly involved. Where required, we’re also happy to work under mutual or client-provided NDAs.
I have an urgent project – how soon can you deliver?
That depends on the size and complexity of the project. In some cases, and drawing on our academic research background, delivery within 24 hours can be feasible. However, consultancy projects typically require longer timelines due to the nature and complexity of the work involved.
We’re always happy to discuss urgent deadlines and will take them on where we’re confident we can meet them without compromising the quality we guarantee.
Are there any areas you don’t cover?
Occasionally, a brief may fall outside our expertise, particularly if it involves a very specific geography or an unusually niche specialism. That said, we draw on a research network of over 500 specialists across a wide range of disciplines and sectors.
Our team includes researchers at graduate, master’s and PhD level, alongside experienced industry professionals, which allows us to scale both depth and seniority to the needs of the project.
Can I speak to the research team or researcher before payment?
Yes, this is possible. It will depend on the scope and size of the project, but we understand that you may want reassurance and clarity before engaging us.
Where appropriate, we’re happy to arrange an introductory conversation so you can discuss your brief, expectations and approach before moving ahead.
I like to be hands off, are you able to just accept the instructions and get to work?
Yes, absolutely. We’re comfortable working in a hands-off way where you provide clear instructions and leave delivery with us. We’ll only come back to you if we need clarification or confirmation on something, and otherwise we’ll get on with the work and deliver as agreed.
Can I combine a single project across many fields and countries?
Yes. This is one of our core strengths. We’re able to assemble global research teams with expertise across multiple fields and geographies, tailored to a single brief.
This kind of multi-market, multi-disciplinary work can be difficult to deliver without the scale of a large multinational consultancy, but it’s something we’re set up to handle efficiently and coherently.
How does pricing work?
Our pricing is project-based and depends on factors such as scope, complexity, timelines and the level of expertise required. We’ll always agree fees upfront, so you know exactly what’s included and there are no surprises.
This approach allows us to stay flexible, whether you’re commissioning a focused piece of work or a larger, multi-market project, and ensures you’re only paying for the level of support you actually need.