Clarkson (pictured) has been managing director of Blue Marble since 2022. His promotion to joint managing director of the two companies comes after EMB Group acquired Blue Marble in 2024.

The appointment represents a new, merged management structure across Blue Marble and full-service research agency Pye Tait Consulting.

In taking the helm at Pye Tait, Clarkson replaces Miranda Pye, who co-founded the business with Keith Pye in 1991, with the founding directors leaving the company.

Blue Marble will now offer formative and summative process and impact evaluations.

New expertise includes services linked to skills and education, including labour market assessments. 

Clarkson will work with Blue Marble founding director Emma Partridge and four newly promoted senior research directors: Adrian Smith, Amélie Treppass, Olivier Boelman and Dr Tom Wilson.

Consultancy business EMB Group acquired Pye Tait in 2023.

EMB Group chief executive Danielle Gillett said: “When EMB moved into the research sector, both Blue Marble and Pye Tait ticked all our boxes. They were well established; had stellar client lists; great reputations for thorough and insightful work and very talented teams.

“Bringing the teams together under Tom’s leadership has been the obvious next step and we’re excited about the breadth and depth of our extended offer.”

Clarkson said: “I’m delighted to be leading a team of highly talented, curious researchers who are extremely motivated to deliver strategically valuable and actionable insights to our clients.”