Derek Mitchell, Director of Research

Derek is an accomplished social researcher with 14 years’ experience.  During his career he has worked extensively with both private sector and public sector clients.  At Alpha Research he specialises in working with local authorities, housing associations and charities, on topics as diverse as homelessness, children’s services, racial harassment and healthcare.  Not unfamiliar with more commercial applications of research, he also has considerable experience in customer satisfaction research and testing of poster adverts.

Derek has published a number of social research papers and has an MSc in Applied Social Research (Stirling). He was previously the Head of Social Research at CPL and a senior social researcher at TNS (the second largest market research organisation in the world).

Wendy Mitchell, Director of Research

Wendy has 16 years’ experience in market and social research, working with clients across both private and public sectors.  Formerly a senior researcher at TNS and BMRB International, Wendy’s research specialisms include customer satisfaction research and service improvement.  During her career, Wendy has worked with clients as diverse as the Central Office of Information, the UK Tourism Councils, Shell UK and WH Smith.  She also has extensive experience of working with local authorities on a range of social policy and service improvement issues. 

Kath Bacon, Project Executive

Kath is an experienced Project Executive who joined Alpha Research in 2003.  Kath is involved in co-ordinating the day-to-day running of a wide range of quantitative and qualitative projects, with particular responsibility for fieldwork, data processing and logistics.