Workforce Insight Consulting

Research that drives decisions

I design and deliver research that helps organisations understand their people — and make better decisions because of it.

What I do

Workforce insight consulting

“Understand what drives your people — and what's holding them back.”

Bespoke survey design & analysis

I design employee engagement, wellbeing, and EVP surveys from scratch — from question design through to statistical analysis. I also work with existing workforce data (engagement scores, absence rates, turnover patterns) to surface what the numbers are actually telling you.

Research & evaluation

Behavioural science research and mixed-method evaluation — national cohort studies, product evaluation, framework development. I blend qualitative depth with quantitative analysis to answer the questions that matter.

Evidence-based reporting

Clear, decision-ready reports for senior leadership — from thematic analysis write-ups to full board-level research reports. No jargon, no filler. Just evidence and what to do with it.

How I work

Every project follows the same logic

1

Listen

I start by understanding your organisation's challenges and the questions you actually need answered — not the ones you think you should be asking.

2

Design

I choose the right methodology for the question — surveys, literature reviews, thematic analysis, or a blend — and build the research around your context.

3

Analyse

Data collection and analysis with academic rigour. Statistical analysis for the numbers, qualitative coding for the stories behind them.

4

Report

A clear, concise report with recommendations your leadership team can actually use. No jargon, no filler — just evidence and next steps.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

What does a research consultant do?
A research consultant designs and delivers evidence-based research projects for organisations. This typically includes scoping the research questions, selecting the right methodology (surveys, interviews, focus groups, or a combination), collecting and analysing data, and producing clear, actionable reports for leadership teams. In my consultancy, I specialise in employee engagement surveys, mixed-method workforce research, and thematic analysis — translating complex data into strategy and policy recommendations.
How does an employee engagement survey work?
An employee engagement survey begins with designing questions tailored to your organisation's priorities — covering areas such as wellbeing, motivation, leadership, and communication. The survey is deployed across your workforce, and the results are analysed statistically to identify patterns, correlations with business metrics like absence and turnover, and areas for action. The output is a clear report with recommendations your leadership team can act on.
What is thematic analysis?
Thematic analysis is a qualitative research method used to identify patterns and themes within text data — such as interview transcripts, open-ended survey responses, or focus group recordings. It involves systematically coding the data and grouping codes into meaningful themes. I use NVivo software for this process, which ensures rigour and traceability. For example, I used thematic analysis to process 1,500+ pages of NHS interview transcripts, producing findings that informed national policy.
What is mixed method research?
Mixed method research combines quantitative methods (such as surveys and statistical analysis) with qualitative methods (such as interviews and thematic analysis) within a single study. This approach provides both the breadth of numerical data and the depth of personal insights. It is particularly effective for understanding complex issues like employee engagement, where numbers alone don't tell the full story.
Do I need a research consultant or can I do it in-house?
In-house teams often have valuable organisational knowledge but may lack specialist research skills, specialist tools (such as NVivo), or the capacity to run a large-scale project. An external research consultant brings methodological rigour, independence (particularly important for sensitive topics like employee engagement), and the ability to benchmark against wider research. Many of my clients use me to complement their internal teams rather than replace them.

Have a research question?

Every organisation is different. Tell me what you're trying to understand and I'll design a research approach around it.

Get in touch