Keith Bates

Services

I set up Routes To Growth Limited to offer my considerable experience of forming, managing and growing research businesses to help agency owners and directors accelerate the growth and profitability of their companies. Whether acting in a Non-Executive Director/advisor role or on more of a project basis, I offer a number of services, including:

•  helping to develop company vision and strategy and creating a plan to get there
•  introducing smarter account management and business development practices
• ​ encouraging teams to adopt a more commercially aware attitude
•  entering new sectors
•  providing in-depth client feedback
•  assisting in the development of new research products
•  using financial analysis to motivate your teams
•  international strategy
•  mentoring (I have recently been appointed an MRS Mentor) 
•  exit strategies and preparation

As a researcher with over 30 years of experience, I have expertise in many areas of research and have worked across a variety of sectors including Consumer, B2B, Technology, Financial, Retail and Healthcare . I have a particular strength in FMCG research  including concept, product, pack, price and shopper research. My personal specialization is design research, particularly packaging, both structural and graphics aspects, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches.

I am both an experienced research practitioner and someone who understands how research businesses work from a commercial point of view. If you are interested in somebody with that combination of skills, I would be delighted to have a chat on the phone or to meet for an initial conversation.

Speciality

Routes to Growth specialises in helping agencies to adopt a more structured and disciplined approach to Business Development, for both existing and new client opportunities. At the same time, my experience as a research practitioner and agency leader means that I adopt an empathetic approach which recognises the day to day pressures of a busy agency environment. Nonetheless, my firm but friendly style is successful in changing attitudes and actions to create a more commercially focussed and motivated team.

Background

A highly respected marketing professional with over 30 years industry experience gained across a number of leading agencies.  An example of a rare combination of excellent analytical and creative skills together with astute commercial and leadership talent result in a highly motivated individual who is able to identify and exploit the opportunities available to any marketing services business

Before creating Routes to Growth Limited, I was CEO Creston Insight and a member of the Creston Plc Executive Board, with responsibility for all insight companies including ICM Unlimited, ICM Direct, Marketing Sciences Unlimited and Vitaris Healthcare Consultancy.My role covered all aspects of the business, including service offering, client development, financial performance, talent management and growth opportunities (UK and international).

Previously, I was co-owner and Managing Director of Marketing Sciences which experienced growth from £1M to £10M under my leadership. I developed a specialisation in packaging research and created the successful PACKMASTER approach which has been adopted as Global Best Practice by many international clients.

Prior to joining Marketing Sciences, I was a Board Director of ORC International and started my career at Business Decisions and Marplan.