- Founded
- 1946-01-01 in London, UK
- Headquarters
- 15 Northburgh Street, London, EC1V 0JR, UK
The Market Research Society (MRS) is the UK’s leading professional body and regulator for the research, insight, and analytics sector, founded in 1946 in London. It serves over 5,000 individual members and more than 500 accredited Company Partners globally, representing a £4.8 billion industry. MRS sets the ethical and professional standards for market and social research through its Code of Conduct and offers accredited qualifications, training, and CPD programmes. The society also publishes the International Journal of Market Research and Impact magazine, hosts major awards such as the MRS Awards, and runs the MRS Delphi Group think tank. Its headquarters at 15 Northburgh Street, London, have been the base since 1990, and it is currently led by CEO Jane Frost, CBE.
Detailed Review
History and Founding
The Market Research Society was founded on 5 November 1946 at the offices of the London Press Exchange in London, UK, by 23 original members who met as a luncheon club in Soho. It was incorporated as a limited company in 1953 and gained permission to drop ‘limited’ from its title in 1957. Over the decades, MRS absorbed the British Market Research Association (BMRA) in 2006, becoming a unified trade and professional association.
Business Model and Regulation
MRS operates as a professional membership body and regulator. Its primary functions are professional development—through training, qualifications, and events—and regulation, enforced via the MRS Code of Conduct (first adopted in 1954) and a Disciplinary Authority. The society’s income derives from membership fees, training courses, event ticket sales, and publication subscriptions. It represents the UK’s research and insight sector, which is valued at £4.8 billion.
Key Products, Platforms, and Brands
MRS offers a range of products and services: MRS Code of Conduct – The sector’s ethical standards framework, directly applied to research organisations since 2005. MRS Awards – Major annual accolades including the Excellence Awards, Operations Awards, and MRS Awards, recognising outstanding work and individuals. MRS Training & Qualifications – Certificate, Advanced Certificate, and CPD programmes; mentoring and skills mapping, established in 1994 with Leicester Business School. International Journal of Market Research (IJMR) – A scholarly journal (formerly Commentary, founded 1959). Impact magazine – An award-winning sector publication (evolved from Research magazine, 1992). MRS Delphi Group – A sector think tank producing white papers on privacy, data integration, and prediction. MRS Fair Data consumer trust mark – Launched in 2013 to promote ethical data use. MRS Codeline Advisory service – Established 1993.
Market Position and Leadership
MRS is the UK’s pre-eminent professional body for market and social research, with a global reach of members and accredited partners in over 50 countries. It competes with other research associations but holds unique regulatory authority in the UK. The current CEO is Jane Frost, CBE, as confirmed by Wikipedia. No other C-suite executives or founders were explicitly named in the provided sources.
Key Products
Programmable Controllers
Digital control units with programmable memory for vehicle, machine, or system control.
Gateways
Central communication modules for data transmission and coordination among control units, primarily automotive.
Electromechanical Relays
Switching devices for high-voltage/current circuits, used as protection relays.
Function-Specific Modules
Standard products for specialized applications.
HMI Systems
Operator interfaces for monitoring and controlling complex processes.
Software Tools
Graphical programming environment for MRS CAN products and PLC controllers.
Accessories
Sockets, starter kits, cable sets, connectors, and charging solutions (MCharger).
Engineering Services
Custom hardware and software development.
MRS Code of Conduct
The sector’s ethical and professional standards framework, directly applied to research organisations since 2005.
MRS Awards
Major annual accolades including the Excellence Awards, Operations Awards, and MRS Awards, recognising outstanding work and individuals.
MRS Training & Qualifications
Certificate, Advanced Certificate, and CPD programmes; mentoring and skills mapping, established in 1994 with Leicester Business School.
International Journal of Market Research (IJMR)
Scholarly journal (formerly Commentary, founded 1959) covering market and social research.
Impact magazine
Award-winning sector publication evolved from Research magazine in 1992.
MRS Delphi Group
Sector think tank producing white papers on privacy, data integration, and prediction.
MRS Fair Data consumer trust mark
Launched in 2013 to promote ethical data use.
MRS Codeline Advisory service
Established 1993, providing advisory services.