Photo of Clare Rapkins

Clare Rapkins

Senior Research Manager

Full Service Market Research

Team:

Rushup

Pronouns:

She/Her

Based:

Worcester

Key skills:

  • Mixed method approaches
  • Effective project management
  • Supporting hard to reach groups
  • Experienced in both B2B and B2C

Hello, I'm

Clare

Clare began her research career in 2003 and joined DJS Research in 2021. She completed a BA (Hons) degree in Business Decision Analysis at the University of the West of England in Bristol and went on to work with a number of public sector organisations, including the Department for Health and the National Audit Office.

Clare has worked across a wide range of sectors, with particular expertise in employee engagement, local government, environment, utilities, charities and not-for-profit organisations. She is a mixed methods researcher, with experience across all major research techniques, including local and national surveys, tracker surveys, CAPI, CATI, and online methods. She particularly enjoys conducting depth interviews and focus groups, bringing energy and insight to qualitative engagements.

Since joining DJS Research, Clare has delivered employee engagement and employee experience projects for organisations including Surrey County Council, Oldham Council, and PA Housing.

Outside of work, Clare enjoys cooking and spending time with friends and family. She also takes pleasure in the occasional bike ride around Sutton, Birmingham – though only when the weather is dry!

 

A few fun facts about me...

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

A lawyer

The best thing about my job is...

The people

My favourite place to be is...

Palma, Majorca

Not many people know that...

I was rescued when my boat capsized in Italy

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: town

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: 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