Asquith to Lead UK Industry Archive AMSR

UK-based industry charity and repository the Archive of Market and Social Research (AMSR) has appointed former BMRB / Kantar leader Richard Asquith as its new Chief Executive, starting at the beginning of April and replacing founding CEO Adam Phillips.

Founded in 2016, AMSR is a registered charity whose purpose is to collect, preserve and scan reports and other material produced by the UK market and social research industry over the past 50 and more years, and make it freely available and fully searchable for teachers, academics and the general public through a web site. The organisation, which is run largely by volunteers, says no other country has anything similar.

Asquith (pictured) has worked in the sector for forty years, joined the organisation in 2022 and is a member of its Executive Committee and Trustee Board. Earlier he was Global Chief Executive of Kantar Media Audiences and Managing Director of BMRB. Phillips will remain a member of the Trustee Board.

AMSR Chairman Professor Patrick Barwise says Asquith is 'a very experienced researcher, has led large research organisations and has already shown his commitment to and enthusiasm for AMSR's ambitious aims'. He adds: 'I am also pleased that Adam will stay on as a member of the Board. That will help us ensure a smooth transition as we continue to develop the educational services AMSR offers to schools and universities'.

Asquith himself comments: 'Repurposing research reports and data that no longer have commercial value to their owners and making them freely available online for education, research and analysis is a brilliant concept with enormous social benefits. Adam and the AMSR team have established a fantastic resource and I am honoured to be leading the next phase of the Archive's development'.

Web site: www.amsr.org.uk .