About
Finding Clarity
Dan started Clarity started in Hackney in July 2025:
“With 15 years’ experience in social research, I have travelled the country meeting people from all walks of life – from lords to landlords …
“I will partner with you to grow both your business and network with other local businesses. I know I can bring you value. Let’s find out how …”
A word about the research I do
This research service gathers and reports on information from public sources for general insight purposes. Although I am a member of the Market Research Society (MRS), it is not formal market research and is not affiliated with them.
Clients should assess findings in context before making business decisions.
“Quality is the best business plan. Period.” – John Lasseter
Interviewing Experience
Over the years, I have interviewed on projects commissioned by all the principal government departments. In addition, I’ve met senior representatives of some of the UK’s biggest businesses. To name a few:
Public Sector Clients I’ve worked with:
- Department for Work and Pensions
- His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (previously Inland Revenue)
- Deparment for Business and Trade (previously Business & Industrial Strategy)
- Department for Education
- His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service
- Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (Foreign Office)
- Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
Organisations I’ve interviewed:
- Rio Tinto
- Ernst & Young
- Aviva
- HSBC
- JCB Group
What inspired Clarity?
“I used to be very shy and quiet. Happy to help in the kitchen at a party. In 2008, I started work as a cold-calling phone interviewer. After a couple of years, I was asked to try qualitative research and was very quickly hooked.
“My first day, I called someone and, a few hours later, was on my way to Reading to meet them. The inteview was fascinating. As I got more experience, I got more confident challenging what people believed and why. I spent years travelling the country and listening – giving them the chance to reveal their stories.
“Early in 2025, I received the seed money and the time to start my own business. Clarity gives me the chance to do what I really love – meeting new people and finding the special in them.”
How would you describe yourself?
“I’m politely persistent in everything I do. I love listening and learning. My motto is ‘Always have time for people’.
I’ve lived in the centre of Hackney with my wife for 8 years. We love the variety and vibrancy here. My local community is a mix of Caribbean (Hackney Carnival), Vietnamese and hipster cultures. As well as a lot of Lime bikes. I am passionate about language, whether that be reading a book or learning a new one (currently Cantonese). I’m serious about my faith and have volunteered in the Chinese community across London for decades.
“When I need some headspace, I’ll drown myself in some rock music. (If you know Rush, we will definitely be friends). What else? FPL (Fantasy Premier League), dark beer, long walks, and ancient history.”
Nice Things People Have Said
UNCOVERING INSIGHTS
“As ever your communication with the team was strong, your feedback … and your contributions to the analysis meetings was critical.”
Director
UNCOVERING INSIGHTS
“Really useful sources, and some useful insight indeed … Thanks so much for going to the extra effort to make sure we got this detail!”
Senior Research Manager
INTERVIEWING SKILLS
“Your flexibility, adaptiveness and tackling challenges as they came up has been impressive and no doubt helped to achieve that success.”
Scottish Government
INTERVIEWING SKILLS
“On a personal level, I simply find you a joy to work with … your knowledge of qual[itative research] and how it works is always appreciated and I feel like I learn from you when we work together.”
Associate Director
GENERAL FEEDBACK
“I question how accessible participating in our research actually is … SPEAK TO DAN C – he has SO MUCH GREAT STUFF to say on this topic.”
Senior Research Executive
GENERAL FEEDBACK
“You are an excellent colleague. Highly focussed, with a fantastic ethic (not just work ethic).”
Associate Director
Recent Events
I attended a fabulous 6 week business course organised by Small Business Britain.
Week 2 was Marketing and a real eye-opener.
TOP TIP
Visualise: Imagine your ideal customer. Then think of all the places and actions they take during a typical day. Where and how could you interact with them?
Personalise: Are they likely to have kids?
Solution: What about sponsoring a local sports team? Or hiring a hoarding at the pracise pitch?
I participated in Kickstart Your Business, a 2 day programme that gives you the basics on how to plan your business, identify and understand your target market, get your IP and copyright sorted out, write a mission statement and much more. Check out the BIPC for research resource.
TOP TIP
What is a Business Model Canvas?
Imagine your business plan on one piece of paper but nothing on there is permanent … it’s a living version. It’s easier to review and helps you focus on what matters.
Data Protection
Clarity uses Blip for secure file transfers. It’s totally free and transfers take seconds. All you have to do is download the app, register with your email address, then search for me and send.
Is Blip safe?
Files are sent directly to the person you choose, without being uploaded to a public website where anyone with the link can get to them. Files are also encrypted in-transit with the latest TLS 1.3 protocol.