DJS Research reaches historic milestone surpassing £5 million annual turnover

13th June 2018 15:12

What started out as a family-run business with a garden shed as its HQ – has just recorded an annual turnover of £5.2 million.

It has been a record-breaking 12 months for DJS Research, with the company achieving double-digit growth for the 12^th consecutive year, as well as opening a second hub in Leeds to support its Stockport head office (no longer a shed, but a multi-storey build in leafy Strines).

Yet again, the company’s 2017/18 annual review has shown ambitious targets have been topped, achieving 11% growth on last year’s figures. Turnover has increased from £4.7million to £5.2million and exceeded the £5million milestone that just ten years ago Managing Director, Danny Sims, casually joked with colleagues about achieving.

“I remember it so clearly,” said Danny, recalling the 2008 conversation with his wife, Ali Sims and other Research Directors, Sharon Nichols, James Hinde and Alasdair Gleed.

“We were growing so quickly; Alasdair had just come on board and we had big plans for the business – but even we couldn’t have predicted growth at the pace we’ve achieved it. Our vision for DJS was to be one of the most successful research agencies in the North West with a £5 million plus turnover, and in just ten years, I think we can say we’ve gone beyond what we could ever have imagined.”

DJS Research - a local success story

Offering clients, ‘More for Less’, DJS Research has experienced year-on-year organic growth since its inception back in 2001; expanding its workforce and becoming a trusted name in market research in the North West.

Just last year the Market Research Society named us as ‘One to Watch' in its annual Research Live Industry report, and we are continuing to attract some of the best research talents in the UK at both our Stockport and Leeds offices.

We were also shortlisted for two awards at the Sports Business Awards, alongside Premier League Football Club, Leicester City, for research that paved the way for a number of improvements to the match-day experiences of disabled fans. At the star-studded ceremony in London on June 1, DJS and Leicester City took home the Bronze award in the Best CSR or Community Scheme category – another high for 2018.

'A tale of hard work, love and dedication'

Speaking of the company’s extraordinary success story since its back-garden genesis, Ali said: “It really is a tale of hard work, dedication and genuine love of what we do. We’ve been committed to moving with the times, improving our services and always seeking to go that extra step for our clients.”

“One thing is for certain though,” she added, “we couldn’t have done it without our incredible, loyal and talented staff. This achievement really is a credit to all of them.”

The future of DJS Research

With recent clients including The National Archives, Leicester City FC and the Consumer Credit Association, DJS looks set to continue its upward trajectory, conducting and delivering high-quality market research to national and international organisations, across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

In 2018, DJS Research has welcomed another Research Director, Jenna Allen, who specialises in Employee Engagement Research. The full consultative service can help improve an organisation’s business performance through detailed employee insight.

As a result of our strong financial performance, growing client base and new Yorkshire office, we now have over 60 permanent staff as well as a dedicated team of field workers and telephone interviewers - with scope for further growth in 2018.

So, what next for DJS research? Time to set another dream target?

“Let’s just say, there are interesting times ahead,” says Danny.

Watch this space.