From studying high energy particle physics at Exeter College, Oxford, Simon has pursued a suitably high octane career in international business consulting. Simon joined us having previously held Chief Executive roles at KAE Marketing Intelligence, its parent company Optimisa plc, Edengene and Report International. Simon’s key interest is in combining customer, consumer and market information to help companies compete effectively in sectors as diverse as Retail, Packaged Goods, Telecommunications, Media and Financial Services. His areas of expertise include Innovation and Future Platform Development, Strategic Brand management and Commercial Marketing. Simon heads up our North American team and also acts as North American Managing Director of Cello Group plc.

On a quest to: find the best steakhouse in the US (though it doesn’t help the running training!)

A passion for branding, cultural change (as well as sailing and scuba-diving) led Anna to a global career in fields as diverse as scenario planning and psychographics. Joining The Value Engineers in 1999 (and earning an MBA in her spare time!), her tenacious spirit has won her a strong reputation in segmentation, insight, branding, strategy and proposition development both for business to business and consumer-facing brands. Heading up our new Closeness practice, Anna now helps clients to root consumer truths back into their organisations, through real and meaningful interactions with target audiences.

Favourite thing to bake: Cup cakes

Graham’s boundless knowledge has developed through spells as a professional historian, a publisher and an ad man. Eventually he co-founded The Value Engineers where, to give mere mortals a chance of acquiring some of his expertise, he and Paul co-wrote The Bluffers Guide to Marketing (several times Britan’s best selling business book). For light relief Graham cooks, reads, and writes (on marketing and wine). He (and Paul) still work on projects and continue to develop our thinking on marketing and branding.

Desert island wine: Burgundian Pinot Noir

Renowned for his creative spark, Giles launched his career in advertising where he built up his reputation for 12 years, winning not one but two IPA Advertising Effectiveness Awards. He brings an invaluable 360 degree perspective to any project with a wealth of experience in communications, packaging and corporate identity as well as a strong hand in brand consultancy! In addition, he contributes regularly to the media and is the proud father of three books: “Brandwatching”, “Adwatching”, “Researchwatching” with a fourth on the way. Giles now focuses his time on honing specialisms in Branding especially positioning, architecture and extension.

Favourite workshop prop: One of his Lego watches

A fascination for people, cultures and brands brought Katy to a career in Insight which spans many years (too many to mention), many categories (from toilet rolls to first class travel) and many countries (including living in the USA for 4 years). Previously MD of Hauck, she joined The Value Engineers in 2005, although not entirely as a ‘new girl’, having worked with us on projects since our inception in the 1980s. She now leads our thinking on integrating consumer understanding in strategic brand planning, with a particular passion for using Insight
to inspire intuitive decision making.

Long-term ambition: Veteran tournament-winning tennis player

Originally seduced by the bright lights and glamour of the advertising world, Richard spent four years working in ATL/BTL agencies, before realising that he was most inspired by brand positioning and innovation. Since joining The Value Engineers in 1999, Richard has developed specialisms in designing and facilitating effective (and fun) creative and strategic workshops, qualitative research and insight development. He now heads up our Innovation practice, with a guiding philosophy of looking for the biggest challenges, but recognising that there is always an opportunity to do great work on even the smallest marketing problem.

Mastermind subject: The history of Guinness innovation (1759 2008)

The enigmatic Paul is the early adopter of The Value Engineers. His passion for innovation extends to great lengths as he is not merely a keen observer but also owner of every innovation to arrive on the market. From Oxford University he began his career in advertising with French Gold Abbott and Young & Rubicam. Staying ahead of the curve, he was headhunted to establish a strategic planning division at The Creative Business before in 1986 he co-founded The Value Engineers with Graham Harding. With Graham, he now acts as consultant-in-chief across the business and helps pioneer our latest thinking on brands and branding.

Strategic style statement: Stripy socks

From a Modern History degree at Lincoln College, Oxford, Alex sprung into a marketing career at L’Oréal, launching Maybelline into the UK. Over a decade at The Value Engineers, Alex has developed expertise in global innovation and brand strategy and gained a strong reputation for training clients in marketing best practice. He now heads up our New York Office with Simon, managing both global and North American projects across all of the practice areas but now with a bagel not toast in his hand. With his passport always at the ready he also leads our Capabilities arm, turning real project-based thinking into practical lessons for marketing teams across categories and around the world.

Favourite tipple: Fat Tyre

Having lost none of his Welsh pragmatism (helped in part by regular visits to his beloved Pontypool), Owen’s natural fluency in thorough strategic thinking led him to brand consultancy over 20 years ago, as our first graduate trainee. He has accumulated extensive experience in providing added value interpretation to clients across all major continents through global masterbrand positioning, brand portfolio planning and major consumer segmentations. Owen now acts both as company MD and shapes our thinking on brand strategy and planning.

Happiest when: Wales win the Grand Slam!