Photo of Michelle Flanagan

Michelle Flanagan

Operations Manager

Pronouns:

She/Her

Key skills:

  • Leadership & people management
  • Project management
  • Communication
  • Time management
  • Problem solving

Hello, I'm

Michelle

With well over a decade of people management experience, Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge to the position of Operations Manager for CATI Services.

She sees her primary role as looking after our interviewers, who in turn look after our projects. Her people-first approach and passion for her work ensure the culture of her team, and the entire CATI department, live and breathe the values of DJS Research.

After joining as a telephone interviewer in 2013, Michelle quickly worked her way up to become a Team Leader within the telephone unit. Her success in this role led to a natural progression to Projects Team Leader.

Her passion for the CATI team, and her natural people and leadership skills, led Michelle to train to become the Operations Manager for CATI Services. She achieved this in 2017, and we’ve been lucky to have her in this leading role ever since.

Michelle is fundamental to the successful day-to-day running of our telephone unit and has been instrumental in the implementation of new systems and technologies, which have both advanced and streamlined our processes.

 

A few fun facts about me...

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

A police officer

The best thing about my job is...

My team

My favourite place to be is...

On the beach with my grandchildren

Not many people know that...

I am very competitive

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: 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