User research that replaces opinion with evidence.

User research is the process of understanding the people who use your products and services so decisions are based on evidence rather than assumptions. It helps organisations understand user behaviours, needs, motivations and challenges before investing in design or development. Whether you’re creating a new product or improving an existing one, user research reduces uncertainty and helps teams make better decisions.

Without user research, organisations often rely on assumptions, stakeholder opinions or internal priorities when making product decisions. User research provides evidence that helps teams understand what users actually need, where they experience problems and which opportunities are most likely to deliver value. This reduces risk, improves decision making and increases the likelihood of building successful products and services.

User research can be valuable at any stage of a project. Early research helps validate ideas and understand user needs before development begins. During delivery, it helps test concepts and prototypes. After launch, it identifies opportunities for improvement and explains why users behave the way they do. The earlier research happens, the greater its impact on reducing delivery risk.

User research includes a wide range of methods, each designed to answer different questions. These include user interviews, usability testing, surveys, field research, diary studies, analytics reviews and behavioural analysis. The right method depends on what you’re trying to learn rather than following a standard process. Good research starts with the question, not the method.

Qualitative research helps explain why people behave the way they do through interviews, observation and usability testing. Quantitative research measures behaviour using larger data sets such as surveys, analytics or behavioural metrics. The two approaches work best together, helping organisations understand both what is happening and why.

Usability testing is one method within user research. User research is the broader discipline of understanding users, their needs and behaviours through a range of different techniques. Usability testing focuses specifically on observing people using a product or prototype to identify where they struggle.

There isn’t a single answer. The right number depends on the questions you’re trying to answer, the type of research being carried out and the decisions that will be made from the findings. Many usability issues emerge after speaking to a relatively small number of participants, while strategic or quantitative research may require a much larger sample. The objective isn’t to reach a specific number. It’s to gather enough evidence to make confident decisions.

Absolutely. Many organisations use user research to understand why existing products aren’t performing as expected, identify usability issues, validate new ideas and prioritise future improvements. Research is just as valuable after launch as it is before development begins because it helps organisations continue learning from real users rather than relying on assumptions.

There are times when an agency is the right choice, particularly if you need a large multidisciplinary team working across multiple workstreams. If you’re looking for senior expertise, an independent consultant offers a different way of working. You’ll work directly with the person delivering the engagement from start to finish, without account managers, handovers or layers of communication. Decisions are made faster, the work stays consistent and you benefit from experienced advice that’s focused on solving your problem rather than managing a project. For many organisations, it’s a simpler, more flexible and more cost-effective way to access senior product, UX and user research expertise.

I’m based in Manchester, UK and work with organisations across the UK, Europe and internationally. Most engagements are delivered remotely, although I’m always happy to travel when a project benefits from working together in person.

Yes. Most engagements are delivered remotely using Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Zoom. Working this way keeps projects flexible, efficient and cost-effective while making it easy to support organisations wherever they’re based.

Yes. While most projects are delivered remotely, I’m happy to travel throughout the UK and internationally for workshops, stakeholder sessions, discovery activities and key project milestones where needed.

Absolutely. Most organisations I work with already have product managers, designers, researchers, developers or delivery teams in place. My role is to strengthen your existing capability by providing additional expertise, independent thinking or senior support where it’s needed most.

Yes. I’ve worked with startups, scale-ups, SMEs, agencies, charities, public sector organisations and global enterprises. Every engagement is tailored to your goals, regardless of the size of your organisation.

Yes. Much of my work involves commercially sensitive products, confidential research and government services. I’m happy to sign NDAs and regularly work with organisations where confidentiality is essential.

The fixed-price services are designed around the most common types of engagement, but every organisation is different. If you need something broader or a combination of services, I’ll put together a bespoke proposal based on your goals and the support you need.

Availability changes throughout the year, but many engagements can begin within one to two weeks. If you have a specific deadline or urgent requirement, let me know and I’ll always do my best to accommodate it.

That depends on the engagement, but I always aim to make the best use of your team’s time. Most projects start with a short kick-off session, followed by regular check-ins as findings and recommendations are shared. Before any work begins, you’ll know exactly what’s expected and when.

It starts with a conversation. We’ll discuss what you’re trying to achieve, where you’re experiencing challenges and whether one of the fixed-price services is the right fit. If not, I’ll recommend a more suitable approach based on your goals.