SPA restructure creates three new MDs

UK-- Research agency SPA Research has revealed details of a restructure designed to focus efforts across three divisions.

The restructure, implemented earlier this month, sees the creation of quant, qual, and food, drink & retail research divisions. Managing directors have been appointed to each division.

Richard Barton and Charlotte Butterworth will, respectively, helm the quant and qual divisions. Both Barton and Butterworth were previously joint MDs of the London-based firm. Mark Thorpe, previously SPA's creative and planning director, will steer the food, drink & retail research division.

Jon Priest, executive chairman of SPA, said: “This adjustment in the way the teams operate will enable the divisional MDs to focus exclusively on growing what are effectively, their own businesses within a business.”

The restructure also sees the appointment of Jo Lockett as chief operating officer. Priest said that the appointment of a COO would free up the managing directors' time by “running SPA at a broader, more general level”.

Lockett, previously marketing director, told Research that the restructure would have little effect on the rest of team's organisation, as “we've pretty much been operating in this way for a while”.

Priest said that the new COO position was also created as part of a succession management plan. Lockett made clear that Priest has no plans to move on.

Author: Marc Brenner