Discovery's First Grad Becomes MD

In the UK, Discovery Group has promoted Alan Hathaway, who joined the firm as its first graduate trainee, to the newly created position of Managing Director of its research division.

Hathaway joined Discovery - then a company of two people - in its first year, 1995, in a 'temporary' role after graduating from Loughborough University. Since then, the firm says he has worked tirelessly to build its business and develop his own expertise.

Discovery made its name in qualitative research, but added quant a couple of years ago. The Group now includes 40 full-time employees of which the research arm has fifteen. It also includes two further businesses, viewing facilities branded as Spectrum and online qual tool, The Thinking Shed.

CEO Trish Parker comments: 'This is a very well-deserved appointment. Alan is an inspiration to us all. He is innovative, creative, yet logical, in his thought processes, and totally committed to the market research industry, where he is held in high esteem by clients, colleagues and competitors. Ken and I are confident that he will develop this new role, and Discovery Research, in exciting directions.'

Web sites: www.discoveryres.co.uk , www.spectrumview.co.uk and www.thethinkingshed.com .