The acquisition will lead to a change in leadership as eDigitalResearch founders Michelle Fuller and Chris Russell step down from their roles as joint executive chair. MARU Group will be led by Ged Parton, who most recently held global CEO roles at Synovate and Ipsos.

EDigitalResearch’s chief technical officer Shane Wright will become CTO at MARU Group. They will both continue to work with eDigitalResearch’s current board of directors, including MD Steve Brockway (pictured). All 146 current eDigitalResearch employees will remain in their roles within the new independent company. The merged firms will form and operate under maru/edr.

“This is another exciting chapter in our history," said Brockway. "Since Chris and Michelle founded the company over fifteen years ago, we’ve strived as a company to stay at the forefront of research innovation and technology.

"Joining MARU Group gives us the opportunity to work with new technology and be a part of a new feedback venture that delivers fast and strategic insight whilst maintaining the essence of eDigitalResearch in our people.”