What do we mean by consumer closeness? It’s any activity that gets employees away from their desks and interacting with the humans that buy their products and services (that could be customers, consumers or patients). Ideally physically, but in an increasingly connected world, this can also be virtual. No one-way mirrors, no relying on moderators. We put the power and responsibility for consumer interaction in your hands.

WHY? Because this type of interaction fuels CURIOSITY and drives cognitive EMPATHY for your consumers which is proven to lead to better, more consumer centric decision making.

We design experiences to suit your needs – it could be a one-off event to get your employees out and engaging with people face-to-face or a longer-term programme that aims to embed a culture of consumer closeness in the heart of your organisation through both events and capability development.

You can meet people in their homes, in store, during consumption, during purchase, even bring them into the boardroom… the possibilities are only limited by our imaginations.

27 years experience leading consumer insight and innovation in multi-national organisations.

In 2009 I left the security of a 'proper job' to found and manage multiple businesses. In 2019 I co-founded Mingle Connections. A business that gets employees in organisations of all sizes away from their desk and interacting with their consumers and customers. It builds cognitive empathy with those you are trying to serve and leads to better, more profitable, decision making.

I’m also a passionate about brands that truly put a social and sustainable purpose at the heart of what they do. Maybe because I spent 27 years working for brands that paid lip service to the issues and were only truly driven by shareholder return.  I decided to do something about it and founded Crumbs Brewing with my wife. It’s grown into an award-winning B-Corp certified beer brand who brew a delicious range of beers using loaves that would otherwise go to waste (available in OCADO if you’d like to give them a try).  In 2025 I licenced the brand to a larger brewer, allowing me to turn my focus back to Mingle.