Jim Law to Leave MRUK in Wake of Government Cuts

In the UK, Jim Law, the Managing Director of Cello-owned social research agency MRUK, is to leave the firm next year as part of a move to cut costs following public sector budget reductions.

MRUK, which was established in 1994 and sold to Cello in 2007, works with many regional and national public sector organisations, and for numerous government agencies and local authorities.

Law said that the change in Government had brought a series of policy changes across a number of areas including police forces, local authorities, NHS and housing associations.

'These are core areas for us and in the current climate, discretionary means cancelled. The recent reduction in the number of quangos has also lost us clients and reduced the number of buying points, Law explained.

He will leave in February after 18 years with the firm, following the closure of its operations in Glasgow, Bristol, Cardiff and Newcastle. However, the company's offices in London and Manchester will remain open under the direction of Regional Director Rachel Cope.

A total of 29 jobs will be lost as a result of the closure, and just two staff will remain with the group alongside Cope. Cello says that no other market research firms in the group will be affected by the cuts.

Prior to joining the group, Law was a Research & Planning Director at ad agency the Morgan Partnership in Scotland. He says he is currently considering a number of options within the market research industry.

Web site: www.cellogroup.co.uk .