UK Fieldwork Firm Westcombe Closes

Kent-based b2b specialist Westcombe Business Research has ceased trading. Administrators were called on 22rd August and the firm's employees have left: three of them have now set up a new fieldwork firm along with a former supplier.

Administrators say further information about Westcombe's financial situation will be released by the end of October but that a trade sale is unlikely given the departure of staff.

DRNO understands that with problems apparent, few new projects have been taken on in the last couple of months, so despite the sudden closure there was little work left unfinished. Westcombe was apparently suffering from high overhead costs and continuing downward pressure on prices for fieldwork (its main business), as well as the rise of online consumer fieldwork, which has driven consumer firms to offer cheap b2b interviewing.

Former Director Helen Wanford has joined two others from Westcombe, Chrissie Rogowska and Glenda Richardson, plus Jayne Curtis who supplied the firm with DP services, to form the new business, Wanford Fieldwork Partnership. The company will specialise in b2b fieldwork with a focus on difficult-to-reach respondent groups, a subject much discussed in current b2b; and plans a straight-talking approach with clients, giving realistic assessments of project feasibility and deadlines rather than falling into the common trap of over-promising.

Many interviewers from Westcombe will be working with the new company. 'They're all keen to continue with us' says Wanford, 'and they're mature people with a great deal of b2b experience so we aim to operate as a true partnership with them, involving them closely in the business.' The firm will cover UK and international, qual and quant fieldwork and is already working on a number of projects.

The new firm can be contacted on 01959 575633 or helen@wanfordfieldworkpartnership.com.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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