UK Group Seeks to Boost FTF Interviewer Numbers

More than a dozen UK-based research agencies involved in face-to-face research are working together to restore numbers of qualified interviewers available for studies across the country.

The Field Collaboration Group (FCG) was formed in early 2025 by Richard Bryan, Managing Director at Qa Research and Kathy Tomlin, MD of QRS Market Research. The group aims to grow the volume of interviewers, particularly in low coverage areas across the country, with many qualified ftf interviewers / moderators deciding to retire or seek alternative employment during the pandemic.

The FCG says some parts of the country have 'a very low volume, if any interviewers at all', affecting the industry's ability to fully meet client demands for the methodology. Face-to-face is a critical means of reaching parts of the population less accessible via online research methods, and can be used to target very specific local geographies, to fill difficult quotas.

The group says it aims to boost face-to-face interviewer numbers by 100-200 into the market and social research industry over the next couple of years. Membership is 'continually growing', with thirteen companies currently actively involved, including some full services and some fieldwork only agencies: Acumen Fieldwork, Beam Fieldwork, Central Fieldwork, DJS Research, Face Facts Research, Market Measures, MMR Research, PFA Research, PRS IN VIVO / Ipsos, Qa Research, QRS Market Research, SAM Research and Swift Research.

Sub-groups handle two key areas, Training and Recruitment, and Advertising and Publicity. The FCG wished to hear from any other agencies that would like to join the collective - email kathy@qrs-research.co.uk or richard.bryan@qaresearch.co.uk .