Biography – Chris Barnham

Chris Barnham has worked in qualitative research for over twenty years. He began his career at Whitbread PLC in the 1980’s, worked in a number of agencies and then founded his own consultancy twelve years ago. He has gained a reputation for strategic thinking, impressive conceptual analysis and an enthusiasm for solving brand problems.

Philosophy has been Chris’s lifelong interest and he frequently uses learning from this academic resource in analysing marketing problems. In particular, he believes that brands operate as ‘essences’ in modern media culture. This insight creates the opportunity for us to understand them in new ways and leads to new brand models which challenge conventional approaches.

Chris has written a number of papers on this way of interpreting of brands and the impact that this has for qualitative research (see Further thinking). He has also presented on the subject at international conferences in London, Barcelona, Toronto, Lisbon and Vancouver.

Chris is a full member of the MRS, an AQR committee member and a tutor on several AQR training courses. He regularly gives talks on qualitative research at a number of UK universities and later this year will co-chair a one day conference on 'The Green Agenda – Are we engaging the Consumer?' at Kingston University.

Clients

Two decades of experience conducting qualitative research for some of the world’s leading brands:

Food

Baxter’s, Colman’s of Norwich, Müller Corners, Müllerice, Müller Vitality, Anchor, Ragu, Hershey’s, Terry’s, Burton’s, Wall’s, Matteson’s, Loseley, Slimming World, Northern Dairies, Amoy, Warburton’s.

Drinks

Carling, Grolsch, Caffrey’s, Staropramen, Tennents Lager, Bass Ale, Bacardi, Martini, Jack Daniels, Bombay Sapphire, Archer’s, Bailey’s, Fortant de France wines, Laurent Perrier, J2O, Britvic, Schweppes, Robinson’s

Retail

Marks and Spencer’s, Asda, Tesco, Mitchell and Butler’s, Boots

Financial

First Direct, M&S Money, HSBC, Lloyds TSB, Legal and General, Nat West, Gartmore.

Other

Colgate, Gillette, Orange, Yardley, several City Law Firms and Kingston University.