Charterhouse gives financial research new home

Former TNS directors Julie Irwin and Sara McFadzean have launched a new financial research agency with two former colleagues.

Irwin and McFadzean teamed up independent consultants Mark Dennis and Mervyn Flack to form Charterhouse Research. All four directors worked at City Research Group until 1998, when it was bought by NFO Worldwide, which is now part of TNS.

The City-based agency will specialise in research in the banking, pensions, mortgages and asset management markets. The founders will be responsible for all client interaction but will contract four research associates to work for them on specific projects.

One of their clients, Mike Campbell, director of marketing at Abbey National Business said: "Consolidation in the research market in recent years means there is a real opportunity for an independent market research company that truly understands business banking."