Market researcher B2B International, based in Bramhall has opened an office in Beijing – soon after being invited to take part in an important conference for the Chinese Market Research Association.
The agency and consultancy works in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, utilities, building, print and education. Last year the company turned over nearly £2m. “We interview and carry out focus groups internationally�, says boss Nick Hague.
“A lot of research carried out from our Manchester base was in Asian markets. But most of the time people there are looking for face-to-face contact. Because China represents such a big opportunity, we thought we’d open our Asian operation there.�
“We already have projects in China, Vietnam, and Thailand and in other parts of the region.�
The Bramhall HQ of B2B consists of two offices, with 30 full-time and 50 part-time interviewers. In Beijing there are currently four members of staff.
B2B’s general manager in China is Alaric Fairbanks. He said: “The financial sector is one of the industries where research is booming in China, and is a sector where we definitely see ourselves increasingly offering our services.�
Alaric moved to Beijing from a role as head of Asian research at B2B in the UK. He lived in China from 1994 to 1999, working for the engineering multinational ABB.
Previously he was international programmes director at Durham Business School.
