Phyllis Macfarlane, AMSR Trustee and Chairman of its Contents Committee, has been awarded the Market Research Society’s highest accolade, its prestigious Gold Medal.
The award has been made in recognition of her outstanding contribution to market and social research over a 30-year career dedicated to the sector.
Since joining MRS in 1990, Phyllis has consistently championed the power of insight, twice serving as MRS Chair. Across an extraordinary career, her positions have included managing director of research organisation GfK and chair of the MRS Awards judging panel.
As Program Manager for the University Cooperation Program of GfK Verein Phyllis’ efforts in promoting the sector internationally have helped to build structures for insight professionals and students in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, and played an important part in the establishment of the Ghana Market Research Association.
Phyllis is only the seventeenth recipient of the award since it was first introduced 39 years ago. This year’s Gold Medal will be presented at The MRS Excellence Awards Lunch in September 2021.
Jane Frost CBE, Chief Executive of MRS, commented: “Phyllis has been a true role model for the entire research sector across her career, promoting the power of research across the globe. The support she has given to MRS over the years has been nothing short of phenomenal and we all have reason to be grateful to her. She is a well-deserved recipient of our most notable award.”
Phyllis Macfarlane herself had these thoughts: “I shall always be grateful to the careers advisor at London University who said: ‘Have you thought about Market Research?’ From that point on I never looked back. And what a wonderful industry I joined! … Co-operation is where the sector is at its best. Yes, we can compete, but we can also stand together for the common interest. Long may it continue!”
Date posted: 25th May 2021