Rachael Penny

Director

Rachael grew up in Gloucestershire and studied Chemistry at Nottingham University. It was during her university years that she had her first introduction to the world of Market Research by working as a telephone recruiter during the holidays, conducting both qualitative and quantitative surveys with medical professionals.

After briefly working in a bead shop, Rachael joined the Criteria ranks in 2007. Now a Director here, Rachael manages her own team of Project Managers alongside account management, being a core contact for many of Criteria's largest clients. She regularly works on Government-related research involving recruitment of niche and hard to find audiences.

In addition to her work for the company, Rachael is an AQR board member and has been involved in organising social events such as AQR conferences, Field Hub meetups and the 'Not' the Christmas party'! She is the AQR representative at the IQCS, and is part of the working group delivering the Recruiter Accreditation Scheme alongside the MRS, helping to recognise the knowledge, skills and competence of professional recruiters, and to raise their profile within the industry.

Beyond market research, Rachael is an expert baker – much to the delight of her colleagues - and enjoys festivals, live music, choir, yoga, crafting, and making silver jewellery, to name just a few of her hobbies!