ResearchBods, Bonamy Finch and LiFE Form STRAT7

In the UK, specialist data and analytics agencies ResearchBods and Bonamy Finch and start-up LiFE have partnered to create a new group called STRAT7, which aims to help businesses and brands extract new customer insights and interpret them to create 'data driven' strategies.

Leeds-based ResearchBods offers three main solutions: insight communities, access panels and experience and journey programmes; while Surrey-headquartered Bonamy Finch combines full service research with in-depth knowledge of advanced analytics. London-based LiFE, a third business in the group, has been launched to provide data enrichment services using machine learning and artificial intelligence.

The new business, STRAT7, aims to support clients throughout the data journey, with services based on ResearchBods' expertise in customer data and intelligence using its proprietary software; Bonamy Finch's ability to help organisations extract data-driven insights; and LiFE's techniques used to achieve a deeper understanding of consumers. It is backed by an undisclosed sum from private equity firm Horizon Capital, which will support STRAT7's future acquisition and organic growth strategy. Adam Lewis, Partner at Horizon Capital, says that having identified the customer insight and analytics market to be 'high-growth and fragmented', his firm saw that the combination of ResearchBods and Bonamy Finch would provide a 'compelling offering' for enterprise customers and deliver significant ROI.

STRAT7, which has more than 100 staff across offices in London, Leeds, and Surrey, will be led by Barrie Brien (pictured), who previously served as CEO of marcoms group Creston (now known as Unlimited Group). In his new role, he will work with the management team comprising Jonathan Clough and Robin Hilton at ResearchBods, Leigh Morris and Paul Carney of Bonamy Finch, and Michael Fisher at LiFE. Commenting on the launch, Brien said: 'We saw an opportunity to bring together best in class specialisms that span the range of data services to help organisations deliver data for decision making. I'm delighted to be partnering with Horizon Capital and I look forward to building our capabilities even further to meet the evolving needs of our clients.'

Web site: www.strat7-group.com .