The Oppies 2026: A Night to Celebrate the People Behind Great Research
29 September 2026

There are some events in the research calendar that quietly become institutions. The Oppies is one of them.

On Thursday 24 September, more than 290 research professionals gathered at Drake & Morgan, King's Cross, for a sell-out evening celebrating operational excellence across our sector. The venue was buzzing long before the first award was announced. Conversations filled every corner of the room, glasses clinked, the wine flowed freely, and there was a genuine sense of excitement as colleagues, peers, clients and friends came together to recognise the outstanding work happening behind the scenes of our sector.

The Oppies has often been described as celebrating the "unsung heroes" of research. But after an evening like this, that description doesn't quite feel right.

These aren't unsung heroes. We're singing their praises loud and clear!

The operations teams, project managers, data specialists, recruiters, fieldwork experts, trainers, facilities teams and innovators recognised at the Oppies are the people who make exceptional research possible. They solve problems clients never see, manage complexity with remarkable skill and keep projects moving forward when challenges arise. They are not operating in the shadows, they are leading, innovating and setting new standards for the industry every day.

This year's winners showcased just how much talent exists across the sector.

Yonder Data Solutions took home the Premier Award for Operational Excellence, with judges praising their delivery, communication and measurable impact. Reflecting on their submission, the judges highlighted the introduction of the Yonder Data Quality Charter and the strength of client feedback supporting their success.

"We were impressed with the varied metrics demonstrating effective delivery, clear communication and measurable impact... showing the quality, rigour and value expected of a Premier Award winner."

The Future Leader Award went to Laura Verdugo Camara from Ipsos, recognised for her leadership potential, project management skills and significant operational impact.

"Laura's leadership potential, strong project management and measurable operational impact stood out."

Innovation was also firmly in the spotlight. Rigour Research's work tackling online data quality issues earned them the Innovation & Enterprise Award, with judges commending the development of RigourSignals and its success in combating bots and poor-quality respondents.

"Rigour Research have tackled the on-going issue of poor online data collection head on."

Meanwhile, IFF Research was recognised as Best Place to Work in Operations, with judges applauding its commitment to transparency, flexibility and long-term development.

"With an inclusive, sustainable and equitable workplace culture, they are worthy winners."

The breadth of talent recognised on the night was equally impressive. Ipsos picked up Best Data Collection – Interviewer Enabled for its delivery of more than 5,000 face-to-face interviews as part of the Children of the 2020s study, with judges commending the team's ability to combine complex technology with exceptional quality standards.

Rigour Research was recognised again for Best Online Data Collection – Quantitative, thanks to its commitment to data quality and innovative fraud detection capabilities.

Product Hub by MMR took home Best Data Solution for its end-to-end product testing platform, while Shape Insight's Moments platform secured Best Online Qual for helping researchers unlock richer and more meaningful stories from their data.

THG Fluently was named Best Research Services Partner, recognised for delivering value and reliability while maintaining quality standards.

Verian Group won Best Training & Development for its investment in flexible and inclusive learning programmes that support recruitment, retention and performance.

The judges were unable to separate i-view London and Noted Fieldwork in the Best Viewing/Research Testing Facility category, with both organisations recognised for continued investment in technology, accessibility and client experience.

Face Facts Research rounded out the winners' circle with Recruitment Excellence, praised for its determination, professionalism and inventive approach to solving particularly challenging recruitment requirements

Of course, the awards themselves are only part of what makes the Oppies special.

What stood out throughout the evening was the warmth in the room. The cheers when finalists were announced. The colleagues celebrating one another's achievements. In a sector powered by people, the Oppies provides a rare opportunity to pause, reflect and recognise the expertise, dedication and resilience that underpin great research.

As the evening drew to a close, conversations continued long after the final award presentation. Old connections were renewed, new ones were formed, and countless stories were shared about the projects, challenges and successes that brought everyone together.

Above all, the night served as a powerful reminder that operational excellence doesn't happen by accident. It is built through collaboration, innovation, attention to detail and a relentless commitment to quality.

And that is certainly something worth celebrating!

Head over to the photo gallery to check out celebrations.