Newsletter from the Market Research Benevolent Association
No. 30 Spring / Summer 2014
Message from the Chairman
“Not everyone
has a pension
beyond the basic
state provision,”
says Ian Brace,
MRBA Chairman.
Let us not forget that without these people
we would not have the industry that we
have today, providing comfortable incomes
and pensions for so many of us.
MRBA Committee
Member Nick Palmer
steps down.
In his budget in March, the Chancellor
announced changes to the way that people
on defined contribution schemes can use
their pension pot to provide themselves with
an income after retirement. For many these
changes are welcome because they give
greater flexibility and the potential to increase
their income by avoiding having to buy an
annuity.
There has been much coverage of this in
the press and other media. But we must
not forget that not everyone has a pension
beyond the basic state provision. Many
people who have been the bedrock of
our industry have worked for years on a
casual or part-time basis. I am thinking,
of course, of that great army of face to
face and telephone interviewers, many of
whom are now pensioners. Few of them
will have had the chance to build up a
pension pot and hardly any will have been
in a final salary scheme.
Constantly, at the MRBA,
we come across people
working as interviewers
into their seventies and
beyond, not because they
want to, but because they
need the income. They
are perpetually close to
not being able to manage
and when that happens
we can be there to catch them and provide
what support we can.
After 15 years on the MRBA Management
Committee, Nick Palmer has decided to step
down. I would like to thank Nick for all he has
done for the association over the years, in
particular his guidance on financial matters,
drawing on his banking background.
And what a terrific online auction we have
had this year. As I write, I understand
the total raised is in excess of £10,700.
My special thanks go to Linda Henshall
who does a superb job every year getting
donations and organising the entire event. In
addition thanks to Pat Molloy who managed
this year’s website; to all of the donors of
the items; as well as those of you who bid
for them; and to our supporters and patrons
mentioned elsewhere who helped us to get
the message out and bring in new bidders
this year.
The Committee is also grateful for the work
Corporate Patron ICG http://theicg.co.uk is
doing for us. As the umbrella organisation for
some 400 independent market researchers,
they’ve added a ‘donate’ button on their website’s shopping cart, as well as on all their
payment receipts. So when members log on
to pay their subscriptions or to attend an event,
they will have an opportunity to donate to the
MRBA directly, as will suppliers who advertise
on the website. And even if they don’t donate,
they will be reminded of our existence, which in
itself is no bad thing! I hope other organisations
will agree to do the same.
Thanks as well to BIG/MRS company partner
Service conference delegates who attended
“A SHOT IN THE DARK” in Brighton for so
generously donating £500 from their raffle to
the MRBA.
Ian Brace
MRS Golf Day 3 July, 2014
In aid of the MRBA, this popular event
is being held again at Chobham Golf
Course on Thursday, 3rd July. Let’s
hope the weather is as good as last year
and raises even more money for the
MRBA! To book your place visit http://
global-research.net/mrsgolf, or email
[email protected]
On other pages
Fund-raising update
Page 2
Friends Campaign update
Page 2
ESOMAR Foundation
Page 2
Kudos & IQCS as Patrons
Page 3
Caseload
Page 3
Case Study
Page 3
Ask the MRBA...
Page 4
Leaving a legacy
Page 4
Research Network News
Page 4