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The MRS Oppies party took place at Drake & Morgan at Kings Cross, on 25 September. 

We welcomed over 290 guests who enjoyed a fantastic evening, celebrating the unsung heroes of research for their important contributions that keep the research world spinning.  

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Oppies Awards 2025 - photo gallery

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Premier Award - Operational Excellence 

Sponsored by 
 Bilendi&respondi

WINNER – Yonder Data Solutions 

The judges said: “Yonder Data Solutions have had an exceptional year. They stood out by delivering outstanding data quality by embracing innovation and upholding the highest industry standards. They are responding well to industry challenges by combining modern management techniques and innovation”. 

HIGHLY COMMENDED – Potentia Insight  

Finalists 

  • Catalyx 
  • Cobalt Sky 
  • IFF Research 
  • Ipsos UK 
  • Sense:lab 
  • Verian 
Operations Future Leader 

Sponsored by 

 

WINNER – Ellie Atack, Blue Yonder Research & Sense:lab 

The judges said: “We were impressed with Ellie’s skills in launching and growing Sense:lab. She demonstrates strong leadership and support for training through her support of the MRS apprenticeship”. 

HIGHLY COMMENDED – Kelly Docherty, Verian   

Finalists 

  • Marilyn Webster, InsightX Research Solutions 
  • Priya Suri, Smart Connect Research 
Best Place to Work – Operations 

 Sponsored by 

 Prevision

WINNER – Cobalt Sky 

The judges said: “Cobalt Sky maintains a healthy work-life balance and clear pathways for employee promotion and progression. Their approach is inclusive, sustainable, and committed resulting in top employee satisfaction across the sector”. 

WINNER –Potentia Insight 

The judges said: “Employee-owned Potentia Insight demonstrate genuine care and commitment to their colleagues, championing mental health support and empowering inclusive participation in business decision-making. Their exceptional employee satisfaction metrics made a strong impression on the judges”! 

Finalists 

  • Acumen Fieldwork 
  • Delineate  
  • IFF Research 
  • InsightX Research Solutions 
  • Ipsos UK 
  • MMR Research 
  • Smart Connect Research 
  • Walnut Unlimited 
Best Data Collection – Interviewer Enabled 

 Sponsored by 
Catalyse_research_logo

WINNER – Verian 

The judges said: “Verian impressed us with their appreciation for all stakeholders in the process. Interviewers were acknowledged as integral to the success of the project, and participants  treated with the utmost respect. Verian expertly managed and delivered some complex and challenging projects”. 

Finalists 

  • Acumen Fieldwork  
  • Glaut & Mondadori Media 
  • Ipsos UK 
  • Progressive Partnership  
  • QRS Market Research & MMR 
  • Research Partnership 
Best Online Data Collection – Quantitative 

Sponsored by 

 

WINNER – Cobalt Sky 

The judges said: “Cobalt Sky’s comprehensive shopping research accurately represented contemporary food ordering behaviours. This encompassed diverse ordering scenarios and customer devices. Rigorous quality control measures were implemented throughout, resulting in findings that provided valuable, actionable insights. 

HIGHLY COMMENDED – Savanta & Natwest 

Finalists 

  • Alligator & BVA BDRC 
  • Bilendi & King’s College London 
  • Delineate 
  • Omnisis  
  • QuMind & YouView 
  • Rigour Research  
Best Data Solution 

Sponsored by 

 HanneliusRecruitment -002-
 

WINNER – Savanta and Natwest 

The judges said: “Savanta and NatWest have developed a customised, end-to-end communications testing solution. This data solution is a scalable, self-service testing platform that enables both qualitative and quantitative evaluation of communications within 10 days. The platform has helped avoid regulatory fines, lower customer complaints, and assess performance.” 

Finalists 

  • Delineate  
  • Market Logic Software 
  • Sample Ninja LLC 
Best Online Qual 

Sponsored by 

 

WINNER – Bolt Insight 

The judges said: “Bolt Insight delivered fast, large-scale, high-quality results. In just 4 days, BoltChatAI gathered over 6,400 feedback lines from 320 consumers in 4 markets. The tool's smart probing produced deeper insights, which the client found 'transformative.'  

HIGHLY COMMENDED – Discuss 

Finalists 

  • Flowres.io 
Best Research Services Partner 

Sponsored by 

 
 

WINNER – Sense:lab 

The judges said: “Strong metrics since Sense:lab’s launch show their approach is effective. Their quality assurance and agile workflows ensure consistent, compliant results aligned with sector needs. Excellent client testimonials highlight the value they provide to the research sector as a supplier and partner.”  

Finalists 

  • Copy & TV 
  • Empower Translate 
  • Sketchbook 
Best Training & Development 

Sponsored by 

 

WINNER – IFF Research 

The judges said: “IFF presented a comprehensive and scalable programme that demonstrated connections between training, leadership development, quality, and business performance. Their approach was strong on inclusivity, and its business impact was measurable.” 

Finalists 

  • In-house Research  
  • Ipsos UK 
  • Prevision Research  
  • Sago UK 
  • Smart Connect Research 
Best Viewing Facility  

Sponsored by 

 

WINNER – i-view London 

The judges said “i-view London are committed to continual investment in their infrastructure and ensure the space they offer to both clients and participants is inclusive and accessible. Fantastic client testimonials praised how they deliver flawless and exceptional service. The best in the business.” 

Finalists 

  • Aspect Viewing Facilities 
  • PRS IN VIVO 
  • Reflections Manchester 
  • Sago UK 
  • Sense:lab 
Recruitment Excellence 

Sponsored by 

 Insight-x-logo

WINNER – FieldMouse Research 

The judges said: “FieldMouse Research delivered outstanding recruitment on a challenging project which involved hard to reach digitally excluded farmers. With close client collaboration and an innovative recruitment approach they succeeded in gaining access to these participants. They exceeded their clients’ expectations at every stage to produce high quality results.” 

HIGHLY COMMENDED – Smart Connect Research 

Finalists 

  • BEAM Fieldwork 
  • Face Facts Research 
  • PA Consulting 
  • Research Opinions & Acumen Fieldwork 

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Oppies Awards 2024 - photo gallery

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Premier Award - Operational Excellence

Sponsored by

Bilendi&respondi

  • WINNER – Cobalt Sky

    The judges said: “Cobalt Sky stood out with their holistic approach, including their ‘Right on Time, First Time’ commitment. The metrics for project delivery times, budgets and communication are all very impressive. This is supported by a robust approach to the MRS Code of Conduct, data protection and ISO standards plus strong commitments to EDI and sustainability.”

    HIGHLY COMMENDED – Potentia Insight & Sense:lab

    Finalists

    • Bulbshare
    • Hall & Partners
    • IFF Research
    • Rigour Research
    • RONIN International
Operations Future Leader

Sponsored by

catalyse-research

  • WINNER – Samantha Morrisroe, IFF Research

    The judges said: “Samantha has made a huge impact, displaying exemplary leadership attributes in fostering a highly inclusive and positive working environment. Using strong collaborative skills, she works tirelessly and with great enthusiasm, always with the wider team in mind, bridging the gap between Research and Operations.”

    HIGHLY COMMENDED – Verity Game, Strat7 Incite & Cassandra Rankin, Ipsos UK 

    Finalists

    • Laura Butterworth, FlexMR
    • Molly Ebdon, Angelfish Fieldwork
    • Samantha Garlick, Acumen Fieldwork
    • Priya Suri, Smart Connect Research
Best Data Collection - Interviewer Administered

 Sponsored by

IQCS Final Med

  • WINNER – Ipsos

    The judges said: “Ipsos showcased ingenuity, innovation, and commitment to new techniques on their Early Life Feasibility study of infant development. The results will be invaluable in shaping the methodologies employed in the upcoming large-scale birth cohort study. The fieldwork team demonstrated great agility, creativity and skill and should be proud of this well-deserved win.”

    HIGHLY COMMENDED – Prevision Research

    Finalists

    • B2B International
    • Hall & Partners
    • RONIN International
Best Online Data Collection – Quantitative

Sponsored by

Prevision

  • WINNER – Giraffe Insights

    The judges said: “Giraffe Insights have excelled in their access and engagement of young audiences. Using an AI tool to adapt language to different age groups informed by academic theory and real-world experiences. Participation increased by 70% and greatly improved the quality of the research.”

    HIGHLY COMMENDED – Cobalt Sky

    Finalists

    • Face Facts Research (voter registration)
    • Face Facts Research (Online harm)
    • QRS Market Research
    • RONIN International
    • The Research Partnership
Best Data Solution

Sponsored by

I-view-logo

  • WINNER – Stravito

    The judges said: “Stravito has developed and launched a generative AI insights solution which helps global enterprises extract and synthesize insights for business decisions at scale – Keeping research findings very much off the shelf and firmly at the heart of decision making.”

  • WINNER – Unilever CMI PDC in partnership with Capgemini

    The judges said: “Unilever has designed and launched R-View an efficient data platform that allows them to quickly understand the consumer journey through virtual real-time ratings and reviews. The new platform is having impact and monitors priority brand health across the company.”

    Finalists

    • Behaviorally
    • Blue Yonder Research
    • ESA Retail
    • Ipsos
    • Ipsos Jarmany
    • Novartis & Market Logic Software
    • Mintel Leap
    • SampleNinja LLC
    • Savanta & Samsung
    • Sky UK
    • Streetbees
Best Online Qual

Sponsored by

Logo_CMYK_blue_perspective

  • WINNER – Brand Jar

    The judges said: “The winning entry was a challenging project engaging with the Under 30’s. The online methodology was agile and creative, including platform integrated AI tools. The project design ensured that it was fully GDPR compliant and participant data was secure at all stages of the research. Client testimonials praised them for exceeding their delivery times and for their flexible reporting which produced exceptional results.”

    HIGHLY COMMENDED – Discuss

    Finalists

    • Bilendi & respondi & Zinc Network
    • Bolt Insight
    • Bulbshare
    • dscout & HSBC UK
    • Net Natives
­­­­­­­­­Best Support Services

Sponsored by

 

  • WINNER – Empower Translate

    The judges said: “The winners rose to the dual challenges of a demanding technical brief and a tight timeframe in providing a comprehensive range of full-service localisation for specialist IDIs with orthodontists. They tailored their services to seamlessly meet the needs of the client - saving both time and money without ever compromising quality.”

    Finalists

    • E-Tabs
Best Sustainable Operations

Sponsored by

  • WINNER – B2B International

    The judges said “B2B International set precise goals to reduce CO2 by 2030 and use renewable energy everywhere it is available. Their aim also includes a longer term target to achieve net zero by 2040. Strong recognition was given in the supporting statements and is also evidenced by external agencies like the Dow Jones Sustainability indices.”

Best Training and Development

Sponsored by

HanneliusRecruitment -002-

  • WINNER – IFF Research

    The judges said: “Iff Research have focused on delivering high quality training and continuous learning and support. The judges were impressed with the inclusive opportunities and the amount of support and motivation offered to the operations team.”

    Finalists

    • Aytm
    • B2B International
    • Epinion Research
    • Ipsos
Best Viewing Facility

Sponsored by

 

  • WINNER – i-view London

    The judges said “The winner clearly demonstrated business resilience and genuine innovation, while remaining dedicated to diversity, inclusion and accessibility for all employees and participants. They transformed their space with flexibility and versatility and continue to be at the forefront of maintaining excellent standards for all research held on their premises.”

    Finalists

    • Aspect in View
    • Babble Research
    • PRS IN VIVO
    • Reflections Manchester
    • Sense:lab
    • Spectrum
RAS Independent Recruiter of the Year

Sponsored by

 

  • WINNER – Caitlin Patterson, recruiting for BEAM Fieldwork

    The judges said: “Caitlin implemented ‘Compassionate Care’ communication principles, providing a framework for recruitment to establish and maintain human connection and build trust for a challenging shopping experience project. This was particularly important as the project was aimed at gaining an understanding through the lens of people living with physical and sensory disabilities, mental health conditions, neurodiversity, learning disabilities and life-affecting illnesses.” 

Recruitment Excellence

Sponsored by

 Insight-x-logo

  • WINNER – Face Facts Research

    The judges said: “Face Facts Research clearly demonstrated excellent project management skills and how they delivered outstanding recruitment to their client. They implemented rigorous quality checks, overcame challenging issues by going the extra mile and had exceptional communication and collaboration with their client at every stage of the project. Client testimonials praised their flexible, solution orientated approach which sets them apart from other suppliers.”

    Finalists

    • BEAM Fieldwork
    • Brand Ignite
    • Research Opinions
    • RONIN International
    • Smart Connect Research
    • Viewpoint

 

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