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Natalie Alfonso
Administrator
Favourite Pastime:
Lazy movie nights in with friends, catching up, drinking wine and eating lots of food.
Proudest Moment:
Graduation! From hearing my name read out and the long walk across the stage, to seeing the smiles, excitement and relief on everyone’s faces!
Guilty Pleasure:
Chicken nuggets
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The warm, friendly atmosphere of the company.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 items would you want with you and why?
A tent for shelter, friends for company and moral support, music to keep us entertained, cocktails and chicken nuggets.
Anthony Armfield
Project Manager
Favourite Pastime:
Watching David Attenborough documentaries.
Proudest Moment:
Spending 6 months living in Melbourne.
Guilty Pleasure:
Classic 70s rock and power ballads! Can’t beat a bit of Toto or Meatloaf to get the party started...
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The friendly atmosphere in the office and the satisfaction when you complete a challenging project!
If you could invite 3 people (living or dead) to a dinner party who would you invite and why?
David Attenborough for the obvious reason that he’s an absolute legend, Louie CK because he’s hilarious and Gordon Ramsey to make us delicious food.
Becky Belton
Senior Project Manager
Favourite Pastime:
Baking – I LOVE cake.
Proudest Moment:
Reaching Machu Picchu after 4 days trekking the Inca Trail.
Guilty Pleasure:
The Daily Mail Sidebar of Shame and the Kardashians.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
It’s really varied and I get to liaise with a lot of different people who span every aspect of the market research process
If you could have a super power what would it be and why?
Invisibility – I’m extremely nosey so would love to be able to spy on people and listen in on all their private conversations!
Alisha Bhupal
Project Manager
Favourite Pastime:
Visiting new places.
Proudest Moment:
Being chosen for a professional Bollywood dance team and performing in front of huge crowds.
Guilty Pleasure:
Chocolate!
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Learning something new every day and the diversity of the role!
If you could have a super power what would it be and why?
Flying! Free travel, you’d never see me again!
Elaine Francis
Founder
Favourite Pastime:
Being a couch potato with my daughter Maddie and my dogs.
Proudest Moment:
MBO Party with Criteria and Clients at the Aquarium.
Guilty Pleasure:
Hiking with my 2 dogs.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Meeting people, anyone really, but especially recruiters.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 items would you want with you and why?
The internet, mashed potato (and beetroot and broccoli as they count as one thing), a grand piano and a good sea kayak.
Andrew Gavriel
Senior Project Manager
Favourite Pastime:
Any activity where I’m chasing a ball, preferably in sunshine.
Proudest Moment:
Cycling to the summit of a skate ramp to save my dignity having tried, and failed, on several occasions to remain upright on an actual skate board in front of far too many people.
Guilty Pleasure:
Avril Lavigne!
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The tight-knit, supportive environment you get from working in a small team. Plus the wonderful people who ensure there’s always a cup of tea waiting for me when I arrive!
If you could invite 3 people (living or dead) to a dinner party who would you invite and why?
The 3 Musketeers (they were real!) They’d probably have a few stories to tell, though my lack of knowledge of medieval French might be a problem. I may have to bump one of them for a translator.
Alice Hall
Project Manager
Favourite Pastime:
Having lunch with my friends and catching up on gossip and life.
Proudest Moment:
Passing my driving test even though I had to do a parallel park.
Guilty Pleasure:
Crime books and TV programmes! Any kind of CSI or investigative programme I love.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The variety of the projects and seeing all the smaller details coming together.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 items would you want with you and why?
Some sort of radio or ipod to play music, a lot of water, sun cream, sunglasses and a flare gun. The first four are to use and enjoy while I am there. The flare gun is for when I get too hot, want to leave and need rescuing.
Vanessa Kelly
Office Manager
Favourite Pastime:
Going to the Ballet.
Proudest Moment:
Passing the PGCE.
Guilty Pleasure:
Anything with Angela Lansbury and 90’s RnB/Hip-hop.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Event bookings and working with the admin team.
If you could invite 3 people (living or dead) to a dinner party who would you invite and why?
Carlos Acosta, Michael Jackson and Gene Kelly.
Heather Makin
Senior Project Manager
Favourite Pastime:
DJing and all things related to electronic/club music.
Proudest Moment:
DJing at the closing down party of Pacha London.
Guilty Pleasure:
Michael Jackson: the man, the music and the endless memorabilia.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The atmosphere and camaraderie that comes with working in a close knit team.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 items would you want with you and why?
Music (because I believe it to be the best medicine), suntan lotion (because nobody likes the sunburnt lobster look), some good friends, a monopoly/poker set and a huge bottle of vodka.
Rachael Penny
Associate Director
Favourite Pastime:
Going to music festivals and gigs, Glastonbury is my favourite weekend of the year.
Proudest Moment:
My friends and I made a recipe calendar for charity and posted a copy to Delia Smith. My proudest moment was receiving a letter and signed cookbook back from Delia!
Guilty Pleasure:
Watching Eurovision
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy the process of successfully seeing a project though from commission to completion, solving any issues as they arise along the way.
If you could invite 3 people (living or dead) to a dinner party who would you invite and why?
Joshua Homme, Mark Lanegan and Dave Grohl so the dinner party would turn into my own Queens of the Stone Age concert!
Mica Powell
Project Manager
Favourite Pastime:
PJ days!
Proudest Moment:
Graduating from unviersity with a 2:1.
Guilty Pleasure:
Watching back to back episodes of “Say Yes to the Dress” on TLC!
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The variety of project topics I get to work on and coming up with questions for the screeners!
If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 items would you want with you and why?
Vaseline, because I get really dry lips, an endless supply of water so I stay hydrated, a toothbrush and toothpaste so I can keep my breath minty fresh, and pasta because I love it!
Ridha Qureshi
Project Manager
Favourite Pastime:
Drawing and sketching
Proudest Moment:
Graduating from university
Guilty Pleasure:
Reality trash TV – I just love it.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The people I work with; the friendly social atmosphere in Criteria really makes the day much more enjoyable.
If you could invite 3 people (living or dead) to a dinner party who would you invite and why?
Gianni Versace, Tupac and Michael Jackson, to see if they can shed any light on their mysterious deaths.
Amelia Richardson
Project Manager
Favourite Pastime:
Skiing down a wide piste with an incredible view!
Proudest Moment:
Finishing the Milton Keynes marathon (even if I did collapse on the other side of the finish line!)
Guilty Pleasure:
Getting lost in YouTube for several hours!
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The people, everyone is lovely!
Who would play you in a film about your life, and why?
Whatever the female equivalent of Rowan Atkinson is?! (Perhaps Miranda Hart)
James Sainsbury
Managing Director
Favourite Pastime:
It’s hard to choose between Lawn Bowls and Pétanque.
Proudest Moment:
Achieving a first class honours in my degree, and of course, becoming MD at Criteria.
Guilty Pleasure:
Super Mario 64. Am I showing my age?
What do you enjoy most about your role?
For me, every day is different – I’m involved in day to day fieldwork but also in running our business, planning for the future and the continual development of our systems for all aspects of field management. Often it’s challenging, often exhausting but always rewarding.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 items would you want with you and why?
A Nintendo 64, TV, power supply, Mario 64 and a controller.
Tom Sandey
Project Manager
Favourite Pastime:
Cooking (but mainly eating) lots of new foods
Proudest Moment:
Realising at the age of 11 that I was related to Leeds United and England hero Nigel Martyn.
Guilty Pleasure:
Ketchup Cheetos are irritatingly addictive.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The diversity of the role and constant learning that comes from the vast topics of market research.
If you could have a super power what would it be and why?
Bernard’s watch. I know it’s an object and not a superpower but sometimes it would be extremely useful to be able to stop time.
Mihaela Simic
Administrator
Favourite Pastime:
Nail Art
Proudest Moment:
Graduating from University
Guilty Pleasure:
Candy Crush
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The friendly atmosphere and the satisfaction of completing my workload every day.
Who would play you in a film about your life, and why?
Natalie Portman – She’s very versatile, humble and also short.
Danielle Simpson (Maternity Leave)
Director
Favourite Pastime:
Wearing, making and buying hats!
Proudest Moment:
Being selected to play for the adult football team (out of the whole school camp) when I was 10 (and of course becoming a Director at Criteria).
Guilty Pleasure:
Watching Sharpe
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The satisfaction felt when a challenging project comes together.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 items would you want with you and why?
A mix of impractical and practical items: my favourite fascinator, champagne, an unlimited supply of suncream, a pet rabbit and a plane.
Stephanie Surdeau
Quality Manager
Favourite Pastime:
Foot massages in front of the TV.
Proudest Moment:
Being offered a management role at the age of 14.
Guilty Pleasure:
Chocolate milkshakes.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The challenge of a speedy turnaround project.
Who would play you in a film about your life, and why?
Courtney Cox for her realistic portrayal of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in ‘Friends’.
Daniel Taylor-Lund
Director
Favourite Pastime:
Singing and exercising, sometimes together!
Proudest Moment:
Celebrating graduation with my whole family.
Guilty Pleasure:
My new found sweet tooth.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Receiving positive feedback!
If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 items would you want with you and why?
The Spice Girls! Because with our brain power we would surely hatch a great escape plan and have an awesome beach party!
Abi Walcott-Daniel
Project Manager
Favourite Pastime:
Being with my friends and family.
Proudest Moment:
Finishing my training to become a mentor for a charity supporting the homeless.
Guilty Pleasure:
Candy Crush and watching videos I know will make me tear up – soldiers returning home, people being able to hear for the first time - I love a happy ending.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The variety! Every day brings something new.
If you could have a super power what would it be and why?
Teleportation, so that I could travel the world.
Deborah Waldock
Senior Project Manager
Favourite Pastime:
There's nothing like a good festival! The great outdoors, fantastic music, freedom, creativity; friendly people and of course sunshine (with occasional showers!!!)
Proudest Moment:
Helping to save someone’s life.
Guilty Pleasure:
It's got to be hummus!
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The satisfaction of successfully completing a challenging project and when I get the chance, a good chin wag with a nice recruiter.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 items would you want with you and why?
My music collection, a fishing net, my boyfriend, family and friends (Sorry, is that cheating?!) (Oh, and a toothbrush)
Lucy Waring
Project Manager
Favourite Pastime:
Photography- particularly exploring somewhere new with my camera.
Proudest Moment:
Getting a first in my dissertation.
Guilty Pleasure:
Man vs Food on the Food Network.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Working with such a lovely group of people.
If you could have a super power what would it be and why?
Flying would make commuting much more fun!
Adam White
Finance Director
Favourite Pastime:
All things Football.
Proudest Moment:
Watching Chelsea win the Champions League in Munich 2012.
Guilty Pleasure:
80s music (especially belting it out on Singstar)
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Variation: Finance seems to come into everything so I’m never bored!
If you could invite 3 people (living or dead) to a dinner party who would you invite and why?
Mrs White (I didn’t say my wedding day was my proudest moment), Freddie Mercury (never got to hear him sing live) and Winston Churchill (he’d have a few stories to tell)