Photo of Cara Rodwell

Cara Rodwell

Field & Data Services Director

Pronouns:

She/Her

Based:

Kent

Key skills:

  • Fieldwork expert
  • Prince 2 accredited
  • Extensive knowledge of CATI, face-to-face, online & recruitment fieldwork

Hello, I'm

Cara

Cara joined DJS Research in 2021 to help strengthen the business’s field and data services offering and support client delivery across a wide range of quantitative research projects. With over twenty years of experience in market research, she has managed hundreds of projects and developed extensive expertise in delivering complex, multi-mode studies.

Cara began her career client-side in the Public Affairs team at the Chartered Management Institute, where she gained valuable insight into research from a client perspective. She later moved into agency roles at Facts International, working initially as a full-service researcher before specialising in project and account management. Following the merger of Facts into Watermelon Research in 2018, Cara became heavily involved in the fieldwork and data elements of projects, managing multi-mode programmes for both direct clients and other research agencies.

Over the course of her career, Cara has worked across a wide range of sectors including water and utilities, food service, housing associations, local government and financial services. She is particularly experienced in quantitative research and is considered a fieldwork expert, with extensive knowledge of CATI, CAPI, online and recruitment methodologies.

Outside of work, Cara enjoys spending time in the countryside walking and cycling, and is an avid sports fan, particularly football, tennis and athletics.

 

A few fun facts about me...

If I wasn't a Partner I'd love to be...

A food critic

The best thing about my job is...

The variety of work

My favourite place to be is...

Out on a walk (with a biscoff ice cream)

Not many people know that...

I am not to messed with (karate champ aged 9)

A few fun facts about me...

'This' or 'That' questions...

Chocolate or cheese?

Chocolate or cheese answer: cheese

Sunny or snowy?

Sunny or snowy answer: snowy

Country or town?

Country or town answer: country

Coffee or tea?

Coffee or tea answer: tea

Cats or dogs?

Cats or dogs answer: cats

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird or night owl answer: night owl

'This' or 'That' questions...

Explore the teams...

The Operational Board is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business and developing the company’s business strategy. They are also fully hands-on, winning and delivering research projects.

Our Managing Director, Alastair Gleed, and several of our board members are founding figures of DJS Research, having joined in the early post-shed era of the company (intrigued... read about ‘the shed’) and have been in research since the previous millennium! In Spring 2024 we introduced a new scheme to bring fresh thinking and new energy into our boardroom, welcoming three new board members on a rotational basis. Both the initiative and the new members of the team were warmly received, and it's already paid dividends as the trio have had a hugely positive impact company-wide.

The role of the Trust Board is to ensure DJS Research is run in the best interests of all Partners and meets its legal responsibilities. It works closely with the Operational Board, offering strategic challenge and oversight.

Our company founder, and former Managing Director, Danny Sims, sits on the Trust Board, continuing to share his knowledge and experience garnered from over 30 years in market research. Financial oversight is provided by Finance Director, Rich Slater, while HR Manager, Lucy Pawson, champions the voice of our people through EO Voice – our employee council which represents the views and interests of everyone across the company and provides a direct route to both company boards. Our external Independent Trustee Director, John-Paul Simpson, provides an important and entirely neutral perspective on company matters and brings invaluable employee ownership expertise from his own business. His role is to protect employee interests, uphold company values, and ensure accountability across leadership.

 

Chairman

Finance Director

Employee Trustee
Director (HR Manager)

Independent Trustee
Director