Markey joins from Directions Research & Marketing, where she was deputy managing director and ran key accounts for clients including Cancer Research UK, Tesco and the NHS.

Before her time at Directions, Markey spent four years at Australian brand consultancy The Leading Edge.

Simpson Carpenter co-founder and managing director Tom Simpson said: “As well as being an outstanding qualitative researcher with a clear track record in winning new business and managing major accounts, Abi has significant experience in mentoring and developing people in her team. We look forward to welcoming her to the company and expanding our qualitative research capabilities.”