Callum Budd of MRA Research is a seasoned market researcher with extensive experience across consumer, IT and technology, and construction sectors. His expertise spans the full spectrum of research, including customer feedback analysis, market insights, and brand benchmarking.
We sat down with Callum to discuss MRA Research as a company as well as his keynote speech as Build North Expo.
Q) Who are MRA Research and what is your role within the company?
A) MRA is a specialist B2B market research agency focused on the construction industry and the built environment. We are research experts dedicated to solving business challenges by providing practical, actionable insights, clear recommendations, and strategic direction.
As Research Projects Director, I lead and oversee all research activities at MRA, ranging from customer satisfaction trackers and market insights to ad-hoc brand and content-driven research. This year, my focus is on helping our clients better leverage research to thrive in a challenging market. Our expertise spans four key areas: customer satisfaction, brand health, research for content, and market insights.
Q) What are you looking to bring to Build North Expo?
A) Our goal is to help companies in the construction industry harness the full potential of research to gain a competitive advantage. Through strategic use of research, businesses can enhance customer retention, attract new clients, and make better-informed decisions.
Q) Based off your presentation, what are you hoping that visitors learn about industry trends and market insights moving into 2025?
A) Even in a difficult market, research plays a critical role. Companies making difficult decisions, such as cutting budgets, need to stand out and retain their customers, and research can be a key driver in that process. Companies who invest in research during challenging times are better positioned to identify new opportunities, retain customer loyalty, and adapt their strategies for long-term success.
Q) Does the building/ construction industry have a right to be optimistic moving into 2025? And if so, why?
A) While there is cautious optimism for 2025, the recovery in the construction sector is expected to be gradual. The UK construction workforce saw a slight increase in Q3 2024, signalling the beginning of a recovery in housebuilding after a sharp downturn in 2023. However, employment levels are still below pre-2023 levels, and activity in housebuilding and RM&I remains subdued. In such an environment, businesses must continue to leverage research to navigate the challenges ahead, retain their customer base, and uncover opportunities as the market slowly recovers.
Q) How do you believe MRA Research is going to benefit by being in attendance at Build North Expo?
A) MRA Research is committed to bringing its expertise and demonstrating the significant benefits of research to the construction industry. We’ve already worked with numerous leading companies in the sector and believe there is a large untapped market of businesses that are only just beginning to realise the true value of research. By helping companies understand and implement research, we enable them to make informed decisions and drive their business success, even in uncertain times.
