Norstat acquires Panelbase

The deal will strengthen Norstat’s presence in western Europe, as well as expand its UK consumer and business-to-business work across the continent.

As part of the acquisition, Norstat will integrate 370,000 panel members from Panelbase to its UK consumer panel.

Paul Wealleans (pictured), currently chief executive at Panelbase, will serve as managing director at Norstat UK & Ireland and head the combined company post-integration.

Additionally, Jacob Lagerstedt, currently managing director at Norstat International, will become regional director for Norstat’s international, British and Irish markets.

Norstat has around 300 full-time employees and Panelbase has around 40 staff.

Panelbase is based in Hexham, Northumberland, and was founded in 2004 as a fieldwork data collection agency specialising in providing online sample, scripting and tabulation and concept testing services.

Wealleans said: “I am truly excited about Panelbase and Norstat joining forces. We have a mutual commitment to provide high-quality data for critical decision-making to our clients.

“This is a very exciting step for Panelbase and through joining Norstat we become part of a significant European player within data collection which will benefit our valued clients and dedicated employees.”

Erling Eriksen, chief executive at Norstat, said: “We are thrilled to finalise the acquisition of Panelbase, which marks a key step in our journey to become the leading data collection company in the UK and Ireland.

“The UK and Irish markets are of strategic importance to us, and Panelbase’s impressive expertise and market standing align perfectly with our growth strategy.”

John Raglan and Fiona Raglan, founders at Panelbase, added: “We are proud of what we have built and the combination of Panelbase with Norstat will form a significant European player within data collection, which will benefit both Panelbase clients and employees.

“We look forward to seeing the continued growth of the business under Paul’s leadership and wish the business all the best for the future.”