SPA Future Thinking has acquired full-service market research consultancy Essential Research for an undisclosed sum.
Essential is a specialist in the media, communications, technology and entertainment sectors with a client portfolio that includes the BBC, Microsoft and O2. It offers a range of qualitative, quantitative and hybrid research methodologies to its clients.
The consultancy retains its own identity and continues to service its clients out of established offices in the New Kings Road. It is headed up by Luca Antilli, an Essential founding partner, who has taken the role of managing director. Antilli leads a team of 14 whilst Stuart Knapman takes up the role of senior director working within SPA Future Thinking, but retaining an interest in Essential. Founding partner Alex Charlton is leaving the company to pursue other interests.
‘Essential is a respected market research agency known for its complementary thinking and strong personality,’ says Jon Priest (pictured), group CEO of SPA Future Thinking. ‘It has a wealth of expertise and an impressive client portfolio, and its acquisition represents another milestone in the SPA Future Thinking group growth strategy.’
Antilli says: ‘Becoming part of the SPA Future Thinking group will give us access to the additional resource we need to fully realise our potential at Essential. We’re very much looking forward to working with SPA Future Thinking’s management team in the next phase of our evolution.’
Essential is the latest acquisition made by SPA Future Thinking, with funding support from the group’s existing shareholders, led by Next Wave Partners. In April, SPA Future Thinking acquired the Munro Group, incorporating FDS International and Maven Research. The acquisition followed the merger of SPA Market Research and Future Thinking (formerly the Oxford Research Agency) in September 2010.
