Progressive Partnership

Meet our team

As Scotland’s leading independent market research company we’ve made our reputation through our people.
Each and every one of us is committed and passionate about working with clients to deliver focused, actionable insights that will strengthen their strategies and ensure that their communications resonate.
While we are based in Edinburgh and Glasgow, we work with a wide range of clients right across the UK.

Progressive’s Insight Gatherers

Sarah Ainsworth

Joint Managing Director

has delivered insights to clients for over 20 years. Sarah has breadth of vision, acts with integrity and is very proactive when it comes to getting things done.

Diane McGregor

Joint Managing Director

and longest serving member of Progressive with over 20 years of experience. Diane is a stickler for detail and rigorous organisation.

Leah Ringland

Research Director

has been in the insight business since 2006. Her experience enables her to give strategic advice when interpreting results. She is great at listening to people; client and colleague opinions matter to her.

Ruth Bryan

Research Director

has worked in research since 2002 across a wide range of policy areas. Ruth controls our quality processes as well as being a great researcher. She likes working as part of a team, values the opinions of others and has a strong eye for detail.

Valerie Strachan

Associate Director

has 25 years’ cross-sector experience and specialises in policy research and analysis, particularly multi-method evaluation studies. Valerie is thoughtful and caring towards others.

Stefan Durkacz

Research Manager

is an experienced professional who loves discovery. He has a special interest in research concerning the natural environment and sustainability issues. He is thoughtful and patient.

Heather Jamieson

Senior Research Executive

is a resourceful insight gatherer. Originally from America, she is extremely methodical with excellent communication skills and an eye for detail.

Elise Livingstone

Senior Research Executive

has been at Progressive since 2018. She is passionate about understanding people’s experiences and brings care and precision to everything she does.

Susan Cummins

Operations Director

heads up the operational side of our team. Consistency and organisation are Susan’s middle names. She does things by the book in the most systematic of ways. Which is good for us and for you.

Bill McDivitt

Associate Director (Operations)

pulls insight from data. He is Mr Rigour. Patient in his approach, he always sticks to deadlines and takes control over his environment.

Laura Dell

Senior Operations Manager

has been with us since 2002. She is a loyal insight gatherer and manages all things recruitment. Her attention to detail is legendary and she likes things to be done properly.

Amy MacPherson

Senior Operations Manager

runs the telephone unit and interviewer fieldforce, with a reputation for quickly solving problems before they are an issue. She’s passionate about pivot tables.

Abel McNamara

Operations Manager

joined Progressive in 2016 and is responsible for data processing and scripting surveys. He has a rigorous and careful approach, with great attention to detail.

Chris Iskander

Operations Executive

Chris joined Progressive in 2019 and is responsible for writing and designing programmes for CAPI, CATI and online surveys, and undertaking data processing and analysis. He is highly creative and a great problem solver.

Kieran Brough

Operations Executive

assists with all aspects of data processing, including data cleaning, open-ended analysis and preparing results. Kieran is outgoing and has a keen eye for detail.

Amy Robertson

Operations Assistant

Amy undertakes a wide range of administrative tasks and provides support to the Progressive team as required. She is a caring and careful member of the team.

Kirsty Docherty

Head of Finance

has been with Progressive since 2005. She controls the day to day running of accounts. She is precise, rigorous and takes sole responsibility for chasing things up and keeping us in order.

Carole Oag

Finance Director

founded Progressive back in 1985 and keeps a watchful eye over it to this day.
She is known for her breadth of vision and ability to overcome obstacles.