Tpoll director's ‘relief' over management buyout

UK-- Mark Ursell, director of online research agency Tpoll, has told Research of his “relief” after completing a management buyout of the firm and leaving the Interactive Prospect Targeting (IPT) Group.

Ursell and fellow director Michael Donovan bought back the firm from IPT this week – along with sister companies Stimulating World and Mind Mover – less than two years after the direct marketing group first acquired the agency.

All three were put up for sale along with the rest of IPT's UK businesses as the group looked to improve its fortunes after a poor financial performance in 2007.

Ursell said: “As the pressure and turmoil built up at IPT it fed down to us which was very distracting and I think it caused pressures among the management team, so we're pretty pleased to have that behind us now. It's a huge relief.”

Events had taken Tpoll “a little off track” financially, Ursell said, although he professed confidence that the situation would improve. “I think we will be profitable this year,” he said. “Revenue wise, we are not quite at the level we thought we would be at, but it is certainly not a bad position.”

He said that Tpoll had won contracts from retailer Boots and several government agencies. But, he added, “As with anything, we could do with a bit more”.

IPT's other research business, insurance industry specialist Integra Insight was also sold this week to customer and competitor research agency Consumer Intelligence, while the direct marketing group's main UK business line was acquired by turnaround specialist Volvere at the end of September.

Author: James Verrinder

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