What makes you special is what makes us special

What makes you special is what makes us special

Every member of our team has a unique combination of Smart, Heart & Self-Start

The Brand Genetics Behaviours manifest our Core Values

SMART

See the Bigger Picture – We think beyond the immediate. We look to the bigger context, perspective and opportunity

Do What Scares You – We embrace a growth mindset. We know that improving means stepping out of our comfort zone

HEART

In it Together – We trust, support and are straight with each another. We know our ‘we’ is stronger and more fun) than our ‘me

Bring Your Own Voice – We say no to cookie cutter. We bring our passion and celebrate diverse voices

SELF-START

Take Pride – We go above and beyond to deliver delight. We strive for excellence (not perfection)

Step-Up – We believe in a start-up mentality. We step up, take charge and go for it

Make it Happen – We make it possible. We sort problems with agile and creative solutions

Facing the Future

We’re a growing family and always on the lookout for diverse, talented and motivated people to join
our team from interns to experienced consultants.

If there are no vacancies posted below, but you still think you have something special to offer we would love you to get in touch!

Meet Team BG

Andrew Christophers

Chairman & Co-Founder

At Brand Genetics since the start-up days in 1998, specialising in food, drinks and FMCG, plus running both insight & innovation projects and training. Previously had 15 years client-side experience across Cadbury on their food brands portfolio, as head of marketing for Guinness’s lagers, and as head of innovation for KP Foods (United Biscuits). Andrew enjoys running (an ex-county schools captain), writing (as an ex-journalist) and remains a long-suffering fan of Newcastle United FC

Tom Ellis

Innovator & brand strategist with experience across a wide range of clients and categories. Previously MD of brand & innovation consultancy Big Green Door, and Director of Strategy & Research at brand agency 1HQ. Enjoys pioneering breakthrough methodologies to unlock new insight and growth for brands & clients – creating solutions that work in the boardroom and the market. Front row rugby player, once of England students, now just on the carpet with his two kids

Fiona Barnett

Director / Head of People & Culture

Fiona is an experienced consumer insight and brand strategy specialist, endlessly intrigued about what makes people tick and brands thrive. A Marketing & Psychology graduate, and Board Account Planner at AMV BBDO, she has run numerous multi-market projects cracking strategic challenges across insight, innovation, positioning & architecture as a Consultant Strategist at Big Green Door. With a recent Certificate in Creative Writing from Cambridge University, Fiona is an aspiring radio drama writer and a keen bee keeper

Cliff Fawcett

Director / Head of Project Excellence

A dedicated innovation and brand strategy consultant, well versed in tackling challenges across brand positioning, architecture, insight and opportunity spotting. An ex-Big Green Door Strategist and Psychology graduate, with extensive experience across food, drink, digital, personal and home care. Cliff is a climber and photographer who loves to travel

Liz Thompson

Director / Head of North America

Liz is an insight-led, human-centric strategist, who uses her interest and passion for understanding consumer behaviour to spot new business & innovation opportunities. A born problem solver from Pennsylvania, Liz has a background in neuroscience and psychology and has previously held senior strategy roles in New York at Bluemarlin, Dragon Rouge and The Decision Lab. Self-proclaimed puzzle fanatic, movie buff and ice cream aficionado, she enjoys discovering the world and exploring human nature through travel, food and literature

Camila Marcondes

Director / Head of Latin America

Based out of Brazil and heading up our LatAm business, Camila is an experienced creative strategist who has been running and leading insight & innovation projects for more than half a decade at Brand Genetics – both locally and globally. Born in Rio, previously an award-winning Innovator at creative agency Biruta, with an MA from London College of Communications, and an MSc in Future-Focused Innovation at Goldsmiths in London. Photographer, surfer, climber and (perhaps inevitably) a Brazilian football fanatic!

Marc Edwards

Director / Head of New Business & Marketing

An insight & innovation specialist with a track record of driving growth in brands, through strategic thinking and creative execution. Marc joined Brand Genetics in 2016 after nearly 15 years of client-side experience. He started in R&D at P&G before moving to consumer-facing roles with the WHO and Sara Lee until eventually heading up the Global Home Care CMI team at RB. Marc has worked across the FMCG space leading projects on everything from alcoholic drinks and healthcare to male grooming and technology. Marc is a published novelist, award-winning speaker and increasingly a fan of DIY projects.

Mia Christophers

Associate Director

A product of the Ipsos MORI graduate programme, Mia has experience across media, communications and research. Previously a Senior Associate at FreshMinds, she also worked on healthcare for 2 years at Ipsos, including a 6-month secondment at Unilever. Mia has worked in planning at 7Stars Media, has a first class English Language degree from Cardiff University, and an MRS Advanced Certificate distinction in market research. She loves travel, fashion, health and nutrition

Frances O'Donohoe

Associate Director

A strategic insight and innovation specialist, Frances has worked across the globe in categories ranging from travel, finance and hospitality to retail and FMCG - with previous spells at Butterfly London and in the Proposition Development team at C Space. Frances is of Swedish and Irish descent, with a degree in Human Geography from Durham University and a Masters in Global Management: Marketing & Communications. She is a dog lover, spinning devotee and enthusiastic traveller

Hannah Scarf

Associate Director

Happiest when solving big, knotty human problems, Hannah is an innovation and growth strategist with 5 years experience at ?What If! and Accenture. She loves helping global organisations use the power of insight to set more dynamic strategies, launch new innovations and create empowered cultures. Hannah hails from Holland, and outside of work, you’ll find her rolling up her sleeves in the kitchen or diving into questionably cold water

Nathania Messer

Senior Consultant

With a passion for both innovation and consumer understanding, Nathania has travelled extensively, giving her a real thirst to understand global cultural insight and behaviour. Having studied English Literature at the University of Birmingham, she worked as a consultant at Mash Strategy Studio, across a range of multi-market insight, positioning and innovation projects. Nathania helped create an ethical and more sustainable boutique hotel start-up in Bali, Indonesia

Ben Preston

Senior Consultant & New Business Manager

A real entrepreneur, Ben has already founded a chocolate milk start-up (Old Farm No 1) and a ski event and lifestyle business (Shred Ski). With a first-class BSc in Business Administration from the University of Bath, he previously worked in business development at HelloFresh, breaking records for marketing achievements. Ben is a keen sportsman enjoying ice hockey, floorball and especially skiing, and taking any chance to get out to the mountains

Poli Pieratti

Senior Consultant

An experienced insight and innovation specialist, having worked both client and agency side, most recently as Chief Communications Officer for Sui, a new premium RTD partnership with youth lifestyle brand Void General Stores, the first co-creation for ABI’s ZX Ventures in Brazil. Poli previously had agency spells at both FLAGCX and NOIX, she has worked in magazines and films, as well as co-founding Favo, a consultancy for social investment. A graduate in performing arts with a masters in painting, Poli enjoys the visual arts and music, and has a young puppy called Maré!

Simon Hall

Senior Consultant

Simon has a real passion for helping businesses think creatively about how they innovate. A graduate from Newcastle University, he spent 15 months working and travelling throughout the Southern Hemisphere. Upon returning to the UK, Simon moved into a role at businessthreezero, delivering complex strategy and change programs for global clients. In his spare time, he enjoys rugby and ticking-off destinations on his ever-increasing bucket-list

Luiza Cesario

Senior Consultant

Luiza is highly experienced in human-centred innovation, with a passion for understanding cultural and human behaviour to help develop meaningful new brands, products and experiences. Based in Rio de Janeiro, Luiza is a designer who previously worked at L’Oréal Consumer & Market Insights in Research and Innovation. She has also completed an MBA to deepen her learnings in design thinking, consumer behaviour and strategic marketing. A real prosumer and craft lover, Luiza enjoys sewing her own clothes and making pottery

Ciaran Nilan

Senior Consultant

Strategic insight and innovation consultant Ciarán started his career in the world of tech startups, building and launching new brands. He then joined Big Green Door, where he spent 4 years managing and delivering a wide range of multi-market, strategic and creative projects for some of the world’s leading FMCG brands. His insatiable hunger to learn more about different cultures and what makes people tick means he spends a lot of his spare time on Skyscanner planning his next adventure.

Oli Kriskinans

Oli is a born problem solver and strategic thinker who started at strategic innovation agency Hunch, before working in research and business analysis for retail tech-startup, Bizie. Entrepreneurial by nature, Oli co-founded youth media platform HERD, which he continues to manage and develop as a side-hustle. A passion for sport, travel and food inspires him to understand cultural human behaviour, while his weekly release, watching the mighty Wolverhampton Wanderers, helps bring him back down to earth.

Shivani Nirula

Shivani is a proven entrepreneur and innovator, with experience in design, branding and strategy, who was previously at creative innovation agency Albion. Prior to that, Shivani founded and built Eska, an award-winning Yoga & Wellness clothing brand based in India. With an MBA (University of Bath), a Post-Grad in Entrepreneurship (Mumbai) and a BA in Design (Fashion & Textiles, Delhi), Shivani loves days that include a 'balance' of yoga, good coffee, conversation and dark chocolate!

Mike Woolston

A big picture, strategic thinker, Mike began his career as a strategy consultant at Forward Thinking Inc, running research and analytical projects with clients across the media, financial services and sports sectors. Mike has a first-class degree in Philosophy & English Literature from the University of Edinburgh, where he also followed his keen interests in sports, writing and the arts. His passion for understanding human culture and motivation enticed him into the world of brand innovation, while his underdog mentality led him to West Ham United, where he can frequently be found at weekends

Cecile Hemming

Ceal has a passion for understanding how brands connect with consumers, gained during her time working in innovation at Unilever. Her interest in what makes people ‘tick’ encouraged her to add Psychology to her English degree, while her self-start attitude led her to co-found Go Eco, an online resource to help communities go greener. With the aim of experiencing as many different places (and foods) as possible, Ceal spends a lot of her spare time searching for the cheapest holiday destinations or planning her next restaurant visit (when she’s not watching TV’s Drag Race!)

Robert Jordan

Rob is a strategic thinker with a curiosity for understanding what consumers want from brands, and a passion for how trends, ideas and people change and shape our world. This led him to study Economics & Politics at the University of Sheffield, after which he has worked in commercial strategy and logistics, with a focus on industry innovation and global opportunities. Outside work, Rob is a keen tennis player, with a passion for being out on the water or travelling

Andrea Namirembe

Andrea’s fascination with how human nature influences wider trends across the world has brought her to Brand Genetics during her placement year. She currently studies History at the University of Exeter, where she has spent time working towards better diversity & inclusion, joining debates and doing (some) studying. Andrea’s passion for forward-thinking doesn’t stop her from looking back as well, via museum trips or reciting the whole of the Hamilton musical!

Alex Whyte

Alex’s passion for understanding human behaviour enticed him into the world of insight and innovation. Fresh out of university, he has gained not just one but two degrees from the University of St Andrews, an MA in International Relations & Management, and an MLitt in International Business. In his spare time, Alex enjoys all things health & fitness, and can be regularly found on a rugby pitch or a golf course

Marina Machado

Born and raised in Rio, Marina is consumer and culture obsessed, speaking four languages, and spending her free time as a freelance trend forecaster for TrendWatching, mainly focused on Latin America. She started her career in the fashion industry before her interest in understanding human behaviour sparked her to pursue a new direction, helping brands draw from insight to innovate for their customers. Marina loves to draw, read and practice yoga, she is plant-based and nature plays an important role in her life – from design inspiration to living as sustainably as possible

Paul Marsden

Consumer Psychologist

Chartered psychologist specialising in consumer motivation and wellbeing. PhD in media influence, researching psychology of wearable tech at the London College of Fashion. Applies psychological techniques to uncover new insights and opportunities for brands. Author of Connected Marketing and The Social Commerce Handbook. Fluent in French. Big NBA Miami Heat fan, reformed bodybuilder and diving fanatic

Holly Moore

US Senior Associate

Holly, one of our US-based associates, is a creative insights expert with over 15 years experience of unlocking the voice of the consumer. She has helped many of the world’s leading brands sharpen their relevance and decode shifting consumer needs. A native New Yorker with a global heart, Holly has a BA from NYU, a Masters in Social Psychology & Media from LSE, and a passion for refurbishing furniture and spending time in hardware stores

Charlotte Melford

Senior Associate

A senior insights professional with over 15 years experience of bringing insight, strategy & innovation to business challenges. Previously European Managing Director at Clear and co-founder of Stripe Partners, with experience spanning global strategy, consumer insight & innovation plus activation & engagement. Charlotte started life at the BBC as an internal consultant. A mum of three kids and two kittens, she’s an enthusiastic cook and happiest enjoying a sundowner in sunnier climes

Nan Bai

Asia Senior Associate

Based in Shanghai, Bai is our lead associate in Asia. She has over 10 years of market research and creative strategic planning experience, gained at Added Value China (now Kantar Consulting) and SoooWhat. Bai loves to dig deeper into human needs and nuances, connecting local and global insights to identify marketing, branding and innovation solutions. She loves traveling and immersing herself into different cultures, and is also a big coffee lover and sports fan

Julz Donald

US Senior Associate

Julz is an experienced brand strategist, with a specialism in futures and insights. Julz has worked across North America and Europe, most recently as Group President, Consulting for The Futures Company, with clients including Unilever, Diageo, Coca-Cola, American Express, Samsung and Kraft. Despite living in New York for over a decade, Julz retains her unmistakable Scottish accent and somehow finds time to fit in kickboxing and being a Tinkergarten leader

Olly Wicken

Senior Associate

Qualitative researcher and strategic planner with 30 years experience on marketing’s front line – where brands and consumers meet. Expert in developing successful brands, positioning and communications. Former MD of qualitative research agency DRSM and former Planning Director at Grey, DMB&B and Leo Burnett. Olly’s word skills extend to writing screen plays, and he is also a published author with Watford FC

Neha Ahmed

Born in Pakistan, educated in Saudi Arabia and resident in the UK, Neha is fascinated by culture, human psychology and social enterprise. With first class honours in Business & Management from Aston University and a Masters from LSE, she has worked at IBM in global resource management. Neha’s entrepreneurial ‘Educase’ idea – a portable desk for children in outdoor schools in Pakistan and Nepal – has won Rainmaking’s 2017 Innovation Start-Up Award

Hattie Camp

Hattie is a brand and innovation expert with over 10 years’ experience helping both private and public sector organisations grow, through roles at Clear, Human Innovation and Good Innovation. Passionate about brand-led innovation and design thinking, Hattie loves helping clients bring to life new products, services and brand experiences – especially via the hustle and bustle of a workshop, working side by side with her clients to crack challenges together. A big believer in balance, outside the office you can find her either in the gym or in the pub!

Cat King

Financial Controller

As head of all things financial, Cat is a qualified accountant with over 20 years’ experience, most recently in the creative industry. She previously ran the finance departments at Wordworks and My Chocolate, after starting her career in the corporate world with spells at both Deutsche Bank and BP. Outside work, Cat enjoys travelling and exploring new places with her 2 young kids - when she isn't busy ferrying them around tennis courts and football pitches!

Andrea Sinclair

HR and Office Manager

As PA, HR and office manager, Andrea is the organising force behind the Brand Genetics team – she was previously office manager at global insight & strategy agency Flamingo, running the UK office. With a background in hospitality management, Andrea knows how to make people feel looked after. She enjoys event planning, doing anything creative, and exploring new places to visit with her daughter

Finn

The youngest, friendliest and most energetic member of the Brand Genetics team, this is Finn’s first role in insight and innovation. While he struggles with our “be uniquely human” mantra, Finn makes up for this in other ways. A lover of new creative combinations, Finn is the product of a Clumber Spaniel father and a Poodle mother, making him proud to be a Clumberdoodle!

Could this be you?

We’re a growing family and always on the lookout for diverse, talented and motivated people to join our team from interns to experienced consultants.

Have a look at our openings below. If none are currently listed but you still think you have something special to offer we would love you to get in touch!

Associate Director

London

Global HQ

Senior Consultant

London

Global HQ