Welcome to our new Head of Research

Jim Eccleston has over 30 years’ experience designing and leading major consumer, customer and brand research programmes in the UK and internationally.  In 2019, he co-founded 56 Degree Insight, an Edinburgh based Insights and Research Agency with clients across the tourism, travel, recreation and sports sectors. Before establishing 56 Degree Insight, Jim held senior leadership roles at Kantar, the world’s largest research agency, for more than two decades, including leading its Scottish business. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1987 with an Honours degree in Geography and then from the University of Strathclyde in 1988 with a post graduate degree in Tourism.

Jim has devoted his career to research across a range of sectors – primarily in the  travel, tourism and leisure fields, but also across energy, sport (including having the SFA as a client) and the FMCG sectors. His experience covers population surveys and polls, consumer segmentation, customer experience, brand development and strategic planning - experience that will be invaluable to the SFU in the years ahead..

Jim has a passionate love of football across all levels.  He has recently written a book recounting tales of 120 matches he attended over an 11-month period from July 2025 to May 2026 – matches across 14 countries and at all levels in Scotland, with all the profits going to the Food-bank at his local club.

Stuart Murphy, CEO, the Scottish Football Union

Footnote: like all our team, Jim is a volunteer, so he won't be giving up his day job any day yet. Nonetheless, we're looking forward to working with and learning from him.