Photo of Carly Parsons

Carly Parsons

Panel Development & Strategy Manager

Pronouns:

She/Her

Based:

Oxfordshire

Key skills:

  • Panel management
  • Innovative recruitment
  • Online community management
  • Implementing new systems

Hello, I'm

Carly

With over 20 years of experience in market research, Carly has gained extensive expertise across a wide range of sectors.

She started her career in a market research agency after university, where she stayed for almost 10 years, before going on to run her own online community business for eight years.

Carly then returned to agency life, where her focus shifted to online panels. She excels in developing and growing these panels, enjoying the freedom to experiment with new ideas and techniques to engage panellists, expand the panels, and deliver creative solutions to meet her colleagues' needs.

At DJS Research, Carly works closely with different teams to support their panel requirements, whether using the in-house panel or building custom panels for clients. She manages the in-house online panel, Opinion Exchange.

Carly has written a thought leadership blog post, which can be found here:

Outside of work, Carly enjoys spending time outdoors with her family. With a passion for exploring new places, they are always planning their next adventure. One of their favourite traditions is caravanning to France, a getaway they have been enjoying for over 10 years.

 

A few fun facts about me...

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

Going on lots of holidays, exploring new places and maybe spending some time in New York

The best thing about my job is...

Being given the freedom to come up with new ideas... and try them out!

My favourite place to be is...

With my family on holiday!

Not many people know that...

I used to ice skate and performed in the Torvill and Dean show

A few fun facts about me...

'This' or 'That' questions...

Chocolate or cheese?

Chocolate or cheese answer: chocolate

Sunny or snowy?

Sunny or snowy answer: sunny

Country or town?

Country or town answer: country

Coffee or tea?

Coffee or tea answer: coffee

Cats or dogs?

Cats or dogs answer: cats

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird or night owl answer: early bird

'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