Emily Ward

Research Manager

Full Service Market Research

Team:

Rushup

Pronouns:

She/Her

Based:

Lancashire

Sectors:

Financial services

Environment & sustainability

Specialisms:

Hard to reach groups

Qualitative

Key skills:

Supporting vulnerable customers
Qualitative moderation
Mixed-method research

Hello, I'm

Emily

Emily is a Research Manager at DJS Research, with experience across both qualitative and quantitative methods. She graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a First-Class Honours degree in Business and Marketing Management, where she explored the environmental impact of single-use menstrual products and how social stigma influences buying behaviour.

Emily started her career in tech-based qualitative analysis, and she has a particular passion for qualitative research, enjoying the depth it brings to understanding human experiences. She specialises in projects within the utilities sector and has a strong interest in vulnerability research, collaborations with non-profits, and work with a social impact focus. The dynamic nature of research keeps her constantly learning, meeting new people, and gaining fresh perspectives.

Emily joined DJS Research in 2023 and was promoted to Research Manager in 2025, in recognition of her expertise and ability to deliver high-quality research across complex projects.

Outside of work, Emily enjoys cooking and is settling into life in the countryside, where a family of deer often visits her garden.

Explore the teams...

Full Service Market Research

Field & Data Services and Field & Recruitment

CATI & Quality Compliance

Creative Services & Marketing

Data, Developers & Panel Management

Finance, HR & Support

DJS Research Operational Board

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.

Alasdair Gleed

Managing
Director

Charlotte Sykes

Research Director

Gill Redfern

Research Director

James Hinde

Research Director

Matt Coulling

Operations Director

Rich Slater

Finance Director

Sharon Nichols

Research Director

Simon Driver

Research Director

DJS Research Trust Board

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.