Hilliard (pictured) previously worked at Millward Brown, JRA and DJS Research, and will join the research team at Mustard.

Steven Searle has been hired by Mustard as data operations manager, having previously spent 12 years at DJS Research, where he managed the data department.

At Mustard, Searle will lead the company’s data team and focus on its work on panel; and survey quality improvement.

Jennifer Burke has also joined Mustard as market research apprentice. Burke is Mustard’s first appointment under the Market Research Society’s market research apprenticeship scheme.

Colin Auton, managing director at Mustard, said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Steven, Anna and Jennifer to the Mustard team. With ongoing challenges for panel data quality, the emergence of synthetic data and the continuing evolution of generative artificial intelligence, Steven is a key hire for Mustard in driving data quality over the coming years.

“Anna further bolsters the research team with a broad range of sector and agency experience. Finally, we’re also delighted to support the MRS Market Research Apprenticeship scheme with the arrival of Jennifer and look forward to watching her develop over her time with us.”