MRX Lab

Consumers are overwhelmed by choice, so how do we understand their choices? By becoming consumed by our consumers, we can remember them at the point of decision, rather than falling back on pure business metrics. In our latest episode, Christina Habib, Chief Insights Officer: CXO Beauty, Luxury & Wellness, joins Paul to discuss the impact of relevant insight and leveraging for a competitive ad...

There is a prominent gap between the belief in customer centricity and achieving it. But how do researchers keep the voice of customers in the room to influence how decisions are made when they are not always able to be there? In our latest episode, Chris Martin, FlexMR's Chief Marketing Officer, joins Paul to reflect on both academic and organisational research around Customer Salience. Over...

Leadership coach and former insight practitioner, Rachel Fraser, joins Paul to explore the cultural and behavioural foundations of Customer Salience. Drawing on her experience across coaching and leadership development, Rachel argues that the effectiveness of insight depends less on the quality of outputs and more on the mindset, influence and commercial awareness of the teams delivering them. The...

Insight is a dialogue. That's the key takeaway from this in-depth conversation with Simon Tregidgo, Strategy Lead for Trade & Services at Kingfisher. Drawing on experience across insight, strategy and commercial functions, Simon explains how to embed knowledge and habits within an organisation and why a diverse stakeholder approach is vital to growth. The episode centres on Kingfisher'...

Do you actively brand your insight projects? This month, we invite you to consider how the implementation of marketing strategies can reach decision-makers and leave a lasting impression, resulting in an increase in Customer Centricity within your organisation. In our latest episode, Rupesh Patel joins Paul to discuss the importance of remaining top of mind for business questions and share tips on...

Customers need to always have a seat at the table. Insight teams need to be in the room, even when not physically present. But during a time where information is in abundance and budgets are squeezed, how can this be achieved? In our latest episode, Natalie Delahunty, Head of Brand Insight at Trainline, joins Paul to discuss how long-term engagement of decision-makers through strategies such as in...

Customer centricity starts at your own two feet. But it also needs to go further. Could having a programme that ties in all levels of an organisation be the key to success? In our latest episode, Paul Thomas, Global Consumer & Shopper Insight Director, joins Paul to discuss how customer centricity programmes and direct conversations with customers are crucial to organisations. Over the course...

During a time where technology and artificial intelligence are becoming more prominent, there are challenges in moving beyond traditional research methods to consistently humanise the customer in the minds of key decision-makers. In our latest episode, Ellie Osborne, Senior Insight Lead at Saga, joins Paul to discuss how customer centricity can engage decision-makers and ensure Customer Salience i...

In a world where habits within an organisation are often built on financialisaton, it can be hard to overcome existing culture and consistently humanise the customer in the minds of key decision-makers. In our latest episode, Chris Martin, FlexMR's Chief Marketing Officer, joins Paul to discuss how Customer Salience can be used to flip the script and ensure decision-makers are always thinking...

Research isn't just about gathering data. It's about helping people make better decisions. That's what Head of Client and Adviser Insights at M&G, Olubunmi Stüber, challenges us to do in this episode of the MRX Lab. Recorded the day after the 2025 Customer Salience Summit, she joins Paul Hudson in reflecting on what it means to put customers at the heart of decisions. Over the cour...

When Lord Reith founded the BBC in the radio age, it embodied an ethos of public service. That spirit remains at its core to this day. And, as Brand Director Jane Callingham explains, creates a uniquely challenging dynamic for the institutions researchers. Rather than define a narrow target market, the BBC charter demands that it serve the public - which means it must deliver value to all. Underst...

In an analysis of recent market research conference agendas, Nick Rich found that only 6% of sessions focus on impact and a fraction of that reaching the C-Suite. That stands in stark contrast to recommendations from the recent Client Sight report. Nick puts forward the case that, as a sector, our focus is in the wrong place - and more attention needs to be given to the relationship between insigh...

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast, Claire Rainey, Head of Insights at Virgin Media O2, shares how customer insight teams can move beyond data collection to become powerful agents of influence. Drawing on experiences from brand tracking to campaign design, Claire illustrates the importance of keeping the “customer on your shoulder” in every decision, even when insight professionals aren’t in t...

What drives behaviour, and how can understanding it make research more impactful? How do we bridge the gap between what people say and what they actually do? And what practical steps can researchers take to embed behavioural insights into the heart of market research practice? Those are the questions we put to Chris Harvey, CEO of Activate Research. With a background at the intersection of behavio...

What helps market research cut through the noise to reach the ears of those who truly need to hear it? How do you build the case for the value of research? And how do you transform conversations about data quality into the language of decision makers? Those are the big questions we sit down with MRS CEO Jane Frost to discuss. Drawing on a wide range of inspirations, including her role as a Trustee...

When asked about the insight that surprised her most throughout her career, today's guest didn't answer with an unexpected fact about consumers - but instead an observation about how stakeholder response to insight is influenced significantly by its delivery. That's the jumping off point for a wide-ranging discussion with Rosemary Hadden, Head of Customer and Market Insight at City &am...

Creating a culture of customer centricity needs more than great insight. It requires the wisdom to know not just what the data is telling you, but what customers are really saying. But building this type of organisational empathy is no easy task - especially in an age where technology and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly commonplace. In this wide-ranging discussion with Shanice Mi...

How do successful brands ensure that customer research, insight and data is integrated into operational decision-making? That's the question that Kira Newton from British Gas helps us to answer - as she explains the role of the CX Club, strong internal branding, always-on insight and developing tools that respond to the needs of each business unit. Over the course of this 20 minute episode, we dis...

It's no secret that the financial services industry is one of the most heavily regulated consumer sectors in the UK. But can regulation, or voluntary commitments, become an advantage? In this fascinating MRX Lab episode, we speak to Patrick Alcantara, Director of Compliance and Insight at Lending Standards Board about how consumer duty (and voluntary governance) represents an opportunity for forwa...

How does the research sector empower female leaders? How do we address the gender pay gap? How do we account for the additional challenges that women face in their day to day roles? In this thought provoking episode of the MRX Lab, we speak with AURA Award Winner Mayra Munguia about her experience, practical advice and path navigating a complex issue. Throughout the episode we touch on the role of...

In the first episode of Season 6, we're thrilled to be joined by Andy Morrison, Market Research Specialist at HSB and ADHD UK Ambassador. Since a diagnosis in 2023, Andy has worked tirelessly as an advocate for individuals with neurodigence in the workplace and to raise awareness for ADHD. In this episode, he discusses his journey pre- and post-diagnosis, plus shares valuable advice on how to mana...

This episode is a little different, and a little bittersweet. After nearly sixty epiosdes and five seasons, MRX Lab host Chris Martin is passing the baton. In the season finale, we introduce Mike Connor - who will take over the podcast from season six onwards. We find out more about Mike and his journey into the research sector, in addition to his vision for the podcast and what to expect next. As...

Where exactly does the overlap between research, marketing, past, present and future lie? In this epiosde, Hannah Pira from the Memu Open Research Campus, joins us to discuss her journey from marketing entrepreneur to researcher - what she's learnt along the way, and how to foster more open collaboration. In a wide-ranging discussion, we explore the fundamental role of marketing in management and...

In the world of healthcare data management, there's few problems more challenging to overcome than the connection of multiple systems, formats and providers. Compounding this is a strict data privacy environment, and the need for information to be readily available at the point of care. So, in this episode of the MRX Lab, we take a deep-dive into how the healthcare data environment has become so f...

What does it mean to be curious about customers? In this episode of the MRX Lab, we speak to Charlotte Vicary about the impact of building a sustainable long-term culture within your business, in which teams aren't just close to customers, they're intrinsically interested in their everyday lives. Over the course of 20 minutes, we cover the tools and techniques that The Customer Closeness Company h...