Red C drops Relish name as sister companies merge
The integration will strengthen Dublin-headquartered Red C’s UK operation, which now comprises 33 researchers, including 21 at director level.
Both agencies are owned by Irish media, events and data company the Business Post Group, which acquired Red C in 2021 and Relish in 2023. The merger takes Red C’s overall headcount to 85 full-time staff, running studies in 35 markets internationally.
In London, Red C will be jointly led by managing directors Richard Barton and Charlotte Butterworth – co-founders of Red C’s UK business in 2016 – alongside former Relish managing director Simon Thompson. Richard Colwell remains Red C’s chief executive, based in the Dublin office.
Red C and Relish moved into a shared office at 175 High Holborn in London in April 2025. Combining the businesses will bring together expertise across six specialisms in the UK operation: media; entertainment and sport; places and spaces; retail and FMCG; financial services and utilities.
Relish Research was founded in 2011 by Monique Drummond. Drummond left the business last year.
Richard Colwell, chief executive, Red C, said: “This merger creates a significant player in the UK research landscape.
“The combined entity has the scale, expertise and international reach to tackle projects of any size while maintaining the quality and client focus that both businesses are known for.”
Simon Thompson, now managing director at Red C, said: “After two years as part of the Red C Group, this feels like the right time to make the next step and fully integrate. We can now take full advantage of Red C’s suite of tools and international network to deliver even better outcomes for our clients.”
Charlotte Butterworth, managing director, Red C, said: “The collaboration between our teams has been excellent from day one. With our team of brilliant researchers and plans for new senior hires in 2026, we are really excited to come together and draw upon this combined expertise for every client challenge.”
Pictured, left to right: Red C UK managing directors Simon Thompson, Charlotte Butterworth and Richard Barton
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