ORS was founded in 1988, and was based in the Innovation Centre at Swansea University. The company has seen rapid growth, now employing more than 20 full time staff, and has built an impressive client list. In 2002 we moved to our current premises in the centre of Swansea, but still maintain close links with the University.

ORS specialises in applied social research and regularly undertakes innovative and problematic studies requiring the highest methodological standards. The company’s expertise covers census analysis, database design and management, geography, housing, mathematics, philosophy, planning, politics, programming, psychology, statistics, and training needs analysis.

Our public sector clients include the Association of Election Administrators, Audit Commission, District Audit, Equal Opportunities Commission, fire brigades, health authorities and trusts, Home Office Equal Opportunities Fire Service Task Group, Housing Corporation, Local Government Association, National Assembly for Wales, police forces, Race Equality Council, Scottish Homes, SoLACE, Welsh Federation of Housing Associations, and numerous local authorities and housing associations.

MANAGING DIRECTOR

The MD is Dale Hall (BA, MSc (Econ)). He is a Research Fellow in Politics and also the Centre for Public Policy Research at the University of Wales Swansea. He has considerable experience of applied research for both the public and private sectors, and he has served as a member of the Medical Research Ethics Committee for Wales and on the board of a housing association. He is a non-executive director of Iechyd Morgannwg Health, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Market Research Society. He jointly authored Building our Future: The Housing Challenge for Wales (Institute of Welsh Affairs, 1997) and an Evaluation of the European Election Training Programme (1999). He recently completed the feasibility study, Local Voices: Towards the Comparative Measurement of Public Satisfaction with Local Government in Wales for the National Assembly in Wales (2001). He lectures regularly at conferences and is Warden of Clyne Halls, a collegiate hall of residence in the University of Wales Swansea.

THOUGHTFUL ANALYSIS

We are ready to give advice on methods and strategy because we recognise that complex projects rarely have a single correct approach. We seek to provide reliable analysis, based on clear assumptions, sound methods, thoughtful interpretation and creative project design. ORS has the expertise to develop innovative methodologies based upon a partnership with clients.

ORS is not comprised of loosely organised associates but is a permanent team with wide-ranging expertise. Our senior members are involved in projects throughout and clients can call ORS without feeling a clock is running.

All data inputting and processing is done in house to protect client confidentiality and ensure high standards of accuracy.

Our thoughtful reports are written by senior staff, and we use the latest technology for the clear and effective presentation of findings.

We also have an experienced fieldwork team whose members are well known to us; and interviewers are carefully selected with their honesty, speech, appearance and manner in mind.

Our Staff