Photo of Matthew Bristow

Matthew Bristow

Research Director

Full Service Market Research

Team:

Foxlow Edge

Pronouns:

He/Him

Key skills:

  • Consultations & public engagement
  • Large-scale qualitative research
  • Research with hard to reach groups
  • Stakeholder research
  • Strategy consulting

Hello, I'm

Matt

Matt rejoined DJS Research in April 2023 after eight years at Ipsos, where he worked in the Public Affairs division and led research on behalf of central government departments. He brings extensive experience delivering research projects across the public and third sectors, with particular expertise in research with hard to reach audiences as well as large-scale public consultations and engagement.

Matt graduated in 2003 and spent eight years in public sector consulting focusing on place regeneration. In 2010 he moved into market research and joined DJS Research, managing research across a range of sectors in both the public and private sectors, working with clients including The Open University, the Competition and Markets Authority, National Grid and United Utilities.

At DJS Research, Matt leads a range of public sector research, particularly in transport and infrastructure, housing and regeneration, and politics and devolution. He also leads the company’s public consultations and engagement work.

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

Outside of work, Matt channels his lost career in professional sport by attempting to coach his son’s 11-year-old football team to a vague level of competence, while marvelling at where his daughter gets her gymnastic agility from.

 

A few fun facts about me...

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

A property developer

The best thing about my job is...

My intelligent & innovative colleagues

My favourite place to be is...

At White Hart Lane (Tottenham FC)

Not many people know that...

I used to be a football league match official

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: dogs

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