Panelbase to Manage Norstat's Ireland Panel

European data collection group Norstat has handed over management of its research panel in the Republic of Ireland to its newly acquired UK subsidiary Panelbase.

The panel features over 25,000 active panellists and Norstat says it 'continuously monitors its representativeness, reliability, truthfulness and capacity to ensure respondents are providing accurate and attentive answers'. While Panelbase - based in Hexham, Northumberland - assumes day-to-day responsibility for the panel, Norstat will continue to invest in it: services from the broader group will be introduced shortly to the Irish market, including dashboards.

Jacob Lagerstedt, Regional Director of Norstat's International, UK & Ireland Markets, explains: 'The Republic of Ireland is a key market for us. By placing our Irish panel alongside our significantly enhanced UK presence, we are backing it with the resources required for high-quality panel services'.

Norstat UK & Ireland MD Paul Wealleans (pictured) says the Irish panel is 'capable of supporting projects ranging from large-scale Irish nat. rep. surveys to niche B2B sample'. Panel base now has more than 40 staff across the North East of England, London and the Republic of Ireland.

Following the acquisition of Panelbase in July, Norstat says the integration is 'on track' and adds that the group is currently in the process of adopting Decipher as its main survey scripting software, which it says will 'enhance its data handling capabilities and allow it to draw upon data service support from Norstat teams across Europe'. The group now boasts more than three million panel members across 19 countries.

Web sites: www.panelbase.com and www.norstatgroup.com .