TEAM

Grey Matters is structured around a nucleus of four highly experienced consultants and operational professionals plus a network of associate specialists.

The team has different but complimentary skill sets. This ensures that we work effectively together but bring a different perspective. The principle of strength through diversity is central to Grey Matters’ philosophy of making insight an actionable reality.

We comprise a core team which can be augmented by a circle of associates and trusted suppliers capable of delivering a range of specialist skills when required.

The core team comprises David Tunnicliffe, Hilde Swendgaard and Jim Cannon.

David Tunnicliffe BSc Psych (UCL)

David Tunnicliffe was trained in the anthropological school of qualitative research at Market Behaviour Ltd in the UK, one of the industry innovators.

He went on to join Cragg Ross Dawson, a boutique London qualitative agency with an extensive focus on social and government research as well as advertising development.

David then formed Original Synergy Ltd to concentrate on music industry research and played a key role in revolutionising back catalogue marketing through themed compilation albums. Concurrently David co-founded Little Bird; a company specifically created to research and optimise digital channels working with brands such as Dulux, Porsche and Yahoo.

Moving to Australia, David joined Arnold and Bolingbroke before becoming head of qualitative research at Pollinate.

In 2010 he set up Storyville Consulting with the mission of bringing innovative thinking and a recognition of the power of storytelling to all aspects of the research process.

Over the course of his 28+ years in the industry, David has conducted and co-ordinated projects in markets as diverse as Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain, UK, USA, West Africa and The West Indies across more sectors than he can be sure of.

He has a wealth of experience across many sectors – public and private – and a particular expertise in communication strategy development and innovation processes. He also has extensive grounding in a wide range of qualitative methodologies, workshop facilitation and innovation processes and loves nothing more than tackling seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Hilde Swendgaard

Hilde Swendgaard is responsible for contact and recruitment at Grey Matters, as well as having responsibility for logistics and project management. Hilde sources and manages our consumer and innovation panels. She is an organiser par excellence with a proven track record in adapting to challenges. Her experience and attention to detail is invaluable in ensuring successful outcomes.

In previous lives Hilde has managed the European marketing campaigns for international artists such as Prince, Madonna, ZZ Top and Rod Stewart, administered a department of senior engineers at Network Rail and been responsible for interviewing and sourcing hard to find participants for research and word-of-mouth companies in Australia.

Jim Cannon PhD, FCIPD, FCMI

Jim Cannon specialises in organisation design and development and has consulted with organisations in UK, North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. Jim works as a coach to directors and senior executives, as well as mediating and facilitating events designed to improve the effectiveness of Boards and organisations. He speaks regularly to directors and at conferences, and runs an extensive range of training courses for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) as well as other organisations. He was a visiting lecturer at Geneva University.

He is a fellow of two Institutes (CIPD and CMI) and a British Psychological Society member, Manpower Society prize-winner and a trustee of Trinity a charity concerned with homelessness. He was formerly special adviser to the CIPD.

With a degree in Behavioural Science, a Masters degree in Manpower studies and a Doctorate in Organisational Psychology, his career has included director appointments in Charterhouse, Black and Decker and Thorn EMI in Organisation Development, Human Resources, Information Technology and General Management including founding and becoming Chief Executive of Solutions Electronic Services. In 1989 he started his own consultancy as well as co-founding Cavendish Partners, now merged with Right Management, a firm specialising in career counselling and coaching for senior executives.

He has written several books including Cost Effective Personnel Decisions, the Database Directory, Giving Feedback, Making the Business Case, Talent Management and Succession planning, Organisation Development and Change (both with Rita McGee), Organisation Design and Capability Building (With Rita McGee and Naomi Stamford) and workbooks such as Team Based Problem Solving and the Career Review workbook. He is consulting editor of the on-line service from CIPD, Toolclicks.

Kris White, Dbl. Major B.A Psychology & Philosophy (ECU)

Kris is a behavioural science and insights specialist who consults on behavioural challenges and opportunities facing businesses, governments and social organisations.

Over the last 20 years, Kris has been based out of Australia, UK, Singapore and Iraq working in market and social research agencies, communications agencies and Human Centred Design consultancies.

Kris’ thinking is grounded in behavioural science, behavioural economics, evolutionary psychology, sociology.

While the context and objectives differ across industries and organisations, the underlying human psychology does not.

Kris now consults as a behavioural insights and behaviour change specialist and has an ongoing partnership with Grey Matters. Subject matter expertise in this field includes research into customer service, communications, technology, and health related behaviours of older people.

Kris has a Double Major B.A. in psychology and philosophy and is a full member of the AMSRS (Australian Market and Social Research Society).