Funds for Vypr as Thornton Joins Board

Manchester, UK-based consumer insights business Vypr has appointed Cint exec Richard Thornton to its board, following a £2.5m investment last month by YFM Equity Partners.

Vypr's cloud-based data validation platform helps new product development by providing insight into 'what customers want to see on the shelves', using a combination of behavioural science and a consumer panel to test everything from packaging, pricing and naming to product claims and ranging.

Thornton (pictured) worked at panels pioneer Ciao Surveys, growing the European business in roles including MD, until leaving at the start of 2009, and then joining insight exchange and sample management platform Cint. He has remained at Cint since then in roles including Global Sales Director, Global Commercial Director, Deputy CEO, COO and Chief Commercial Officer.

Vypr Chairman Richard Law comments: 'Richard's sector experience, contacts and impressive strategic track record in our sector make him a perfect fit for Vypr at a time when the business' growth, both in terms of revenue and new strategic customers, is accelerating quickly. I believe that Vypr's prospects are exceptional and having Richard join us at the same time as receiving investment from YFM further enhances our market position and prospects'.

Thornton says the firm has 'a unique offering in an area that is ripe for innovation and transformation through technology', adding: 'Vypr addresses a real and material problem, which is the category wide high failure rate of new product development and product launches'.

Web site: www.vyprclients.com .