After 16 years as CEO, expanding Mintel’s consumer and category research to over 80 markets worldwide, Peter Haigh takes up a new position as Chairman of the Mintel Board. The company has appointed Matthew Nelson as the new Global Chief Executive Officer. As the world’s leading market intelligence agency, Mintel is the expert in what consumers want and why. The company’s analysis of consumers, markets, product innovation, and competitive landscapes provides a unique perspective on global and local economies. Since 1972, Mintel’s predictive analytics and expert recommendations have enabled its clients to make better business decisions faster.
Matthew Nelson in an exclusive interaction with MediaNews4U elaborates on his plans for Mintel, his expectations on his new role, plans for Indian markets, and more.
Edited Excerpts:
In his key role as the Global CEO of Mintel
As Global CEO, my key role is to lead Mintel’s strategy, which is focused on delivering high-quality data, advanced analytics, innovation through artificial intelligence and data science, and expert insights and recommendations to Mintel clients to help them make better business decisions faster. I am also incredibly focused on growing our culture to further enhance the employee experience and the overall Mintel community.
On investment in talent acquisition
Talent acquisition and employee experience have always been priorities at Mintel as they represent key components of our business strategy. The Mintel community is set to grow exponentially over the next five years as we accelerate our investments. This includes developing existing colleagues to ensure they achieve their maximum potential and attracting the best external candidates.
Supporting the individual and making Mintel an incredible place to work is central to our culture. There are several ways we do this, including through our employee-led resource groups, committees and clubs focused on themes of diversity, inclusion, wellness, charitable giving, sustainability, mentorship, and career development. For example, an ‘unplugged’ initiative from our Mintel Wellness committee includes a meeting-free day every third Friday of the month. Our regional Mintel Gives committees plan monthly initiatives allowing employees to donate their time and/or money to support local, national, and/or global charitable organizations. And our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) bring together individuals with shared characteristics or life experiences, providing support, enhancing career development, and contributing to personal development in the workplace.
On expectations about the new role
Mintel’s purpose is to help people and businesses grow. This is especially true during the uncertainties brought on by COVID-19. As experts in what consumers want and why our high-quality data and expert recommendations about consumer behavior are more valuable to brands and marketers than ever before. Despite the impact brought over by COVID-19, Mintel has been in a very strong position this year. We are seeing record high numbers in some countries and regions, especially APAC, which is one of the most important growth engines. This enables us to invest more in APAC to roll out more products and services to help our clients within the region. As a global company with local wisdom from our local analysts, we will continue to provide class-leading consumer data and insights for our customers in the region and globally as well.
On diversity & inclusion
This is a topic very close to my heart. Mintel Diversity – one of the pillars of Mintel’s culture – is an initiative that was launched in 2020 to make Mintel a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. Led by our Global Diversity Manager, the top priorities center around employee career, and cultural competency, development, and creating awareness among our clients and partners. This includes programs like conscious inclusion training, global leadership development programs, and the Social Awareness Task Force which directly benefits Mintel clients.
It’s early days for the initiative but it has been an overwhelmingly positive experience thus far and has created incredible opportunities for our employees and culture. It has fundamentally improved the way Mintel does business – supporting the whole employee and holding leadership more accountable.
On Mintel’s growth & future trajectory
Mintel is in the best position in its history with a clear and ambitious global growth strategy. We are excited to see our accelerated investment and innovation plans bringing even stronger insights and value to our clients. This will help us achieve my vision for the company which is to have every marketer and innovator look to Mintel for answers and recommendations on how to grow their business.
On Mintel’s contribution towards the Indian subcontinent
My Mintel journey began in India when we set up the India operations out of Mumbai. I led the new business development team at the time. We achieved steady growth and success early and quickly became a valuable partner for our clients. Mintel has always valued client feedback and incorporated that into everything we do. In line with this, adapting to the fast-growing needs of India’s FMCG segment, in 2018 Mintel invested in launching Mintel Reports India – a consumer intelligence platform that caters to India’s challenging, dynamic, and highly innovative marketplace. Mintel’s continued investment in the region builds upon our already established analyst expertise in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. The launch of Mintel Reports India was a key milestone for the company’s long-term global growth strategy and further expansion across the Asia Pacific region.
On opportunities to expect from the Indian market
India is an important market for Mintel, given our current success, leading position within the marketplace and the great potential for further growth. We have a diverse product offering available to clients in India, including Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD), Mintel Reports, Mintel Global Consumer, Mintel Consulting – and the list goes on. Looking forward, we are accelerating our investment in technology through data science, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics – all of which advances the innovation and expertise Mintel delivers to clients in every market we serve.
On services rendered to the clients
Mintel is the expert in what consumers want and why. As the world’s leading market intelligence agency, our analysis of consumers, markets, product innovation, and competitive landscapes provides a unique perspective on global and local economies. Since 1972, our predictive analytics and expert recommendations have enabled our clients to make better business decisions faster. Our purpose is to help businesses and people grow.
