The Insight Strategists is a full-service research and insight consultancy founded by Sarah Richardson-Clarke, Richard Brace and Adrian Chapman. Drawing on decades of collective experience, we partner with organisations to turn complex data into clear, strategic action.
Our purpose
We believe insight should do more than illuminate problems — it should power confident decisions, drive transformation, and sustain growth. Businesses don’t need more data; they need meaningful insight, tailored to their reality, delivered with clarity, and implemented with purpose.
Why we were founded
In many organisations, research is fragmented, disconnected from strategy, or siloed in data departments — yielding reports that sit on shelves. We started The Insight Strategists to bridge that gap: to combine rigorous methodology with a commercial mindset, so that insight leads to change, not just analysis.
Our founding vision is to offer a boutique alternative to large “insight factories” — one in which senior professionals are actively involved at every stage, and engagement with clients is close, responsive, and pragmatic.
What sets us apart
1. Senior-level involvement at every stage
From initial brief to workshop and implementation, the Directors/Partners are hands-on. You don’t get delegated deliverables — you get seasoned leadership and accountability.
2. Lean, high-value model
We keep overheads low, avoiding unnecessary layers, so we can offer premium-level insight at a more accessible rate.
3. Tailored, not templated
We don’t shoehorn clients into a fixed menu. Each project is designed to match your objectives, audience, and context — whether qualitative, quantitative or hybrid.
4. Integrated, holistic thinking
We specialise in customer research, employee engagement, market strategy, and win/loss insight — then bring them together to form a unified, cross-functional perspective.
5. Focus on actionable outcomes
Reports are only meaningful if they lead to change. We prioritise clarity in recommendations, facilitation of workshops, and joint planning so insight translates into action.
6. Agile, partner-centric style
Because we are small, we can respond quickly, adapt as we learn mid-project, and course-correct in collaboration with your team.
Our vision
To become the trusted insight partner of choice for ambitious UK organisations that want to move with confidence in uncertain times. We aim to build long-term relationships — not just deliver projects — by consistently earning our seat at the strategic planning table.
Values we live by
Integrity & clarity
We communicate honestly, using plain language.
Curiosity & empathy
We explore beyond the obvious, always listening to stakeholder voices.
Pragmatism & relevance
We design solutions that respect your constraints and deliver impact.
Partnership &
co-creation
We see clients as collaborators and partners.
Continuous improvement
We challenge assumptions, iterate and learn from every engagement.
Sarah Richardson-Clarke
Director/Partner
For over 30 years Sarah has worked in both business-to-consumer and business-to-business roles across a wide breadth of sectors, including government and public sector, business software, marketing and media agency, financial services, built environment and retail.
She is adept in synthesising research with operational data to ensure insights are relevant, understood and actionable. In addition to being a well-rounded insight professional, Sarah is also skilled in project and change management, strategic marketing planning, competitive analysis and stakeholder management.
She is the Founder and Director of The Insight Strategists and a Full Member of the Market Research Society.
Richard Brace
Director/Partner
Richard has over 35 years’ experience in insight and strategic market research. He has particular specialism in business-to-business research, particularly market trends and growth analysis, customer experience/perception/satisfaction, acquisition due diligence, new product/service development, and competitor analysis and benchmarking.
While he has particular experience in the built environment and construction sectors, Richard has conducted hundreds of research projects across most sectors, notably commercial and industrial finance, IT and software, manufacturing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, logistics and utilities. He was co-owner and Director of Research Associates before becoming Director of AMA Research then Consultancy Director of Barbour ABI. He is now a Partner/Director at The Insight Strategists. Richard is a Certified Member of the Market Research Society.
Adrian Chapman
Director/Partner
He has led research programmes engaging diverse audiences – from consumers of premium goods and services to those with financial or health vulnerabilities, as well as senior professionals and CEOs. Notably, he built the Rail Delivery Group’s first research function from the ground up, creating the organisation’s first comprehensive customer insight framework. His work with organisations such as the Financial Conduct Authority, BP and UKHSA has directly influenced engagement strategies and business outcomes.
