Research Clever strengthens leadership team with appointment of Mona Blaute

Former RONIN and Walnut Unlimited talent joins London office 

Research Clever has appointed Mona Blaute as Associate Director (Operations) to its growing team, bolstering the company’s operational and project delivery expertise as it continues its rapid expansion. Blaute (pictured below) brings more than 20 years of experience in the insights industry, having held a senior leadership positions at Walnut Unlimited and ICM Direct. 

Most recently, Blaute served as Deputy Director of Projects at RONIN International, where she oversaw the delivery of complex qualitative and quantitative studies across global markets. Her experience spans a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, finance, media, technology, manufacturing, and the public sector. She is known for her focus on operational excellence, data collection, quality assurance, and client service. Prior to this, she was the Operations Director at Walnut Unlimited. 

Blaute will support the company’s continued growth by helping to drive operational efficiency, strengthen project delivery processes, and support clients with increasingly complex international research programmes.  

Ross Cafferkey, Founder and CEO, comments: “I started Research Clever because I’d seen too many projects held back by things that should have been avoidable. As we’ve grown, we’ve been deliberate about investing in the people and systems that prevent those problems from day one. 

“We’re actively scaling now, but we simply will not compromise on quality just to grow faster. Mona is another key fixture in maintaining our exceptional operational foundation as we expand. She knows exactly what she’s doing. She’s spent over two decades helping research projects run properly. It’s exciting to see her bring that experience into Research Clever.” 

Blaute adds: “Strong operations are often invisible when they’re working well, but they play a critical role in delivery. Not to mention the speed and reliability of research outcomes. Already, I can tell that quality genuinely drives decision-making here. There’s a real focus on doing things properly, being transparent with clients, and taking ownership of delivery.  

“The company has ambitious plans, but it’s growing in a thoughtful way. That’s rare, and it’s something I was excited to be part of.” 

The appointment follows a period of significant momentum for Research Clever, which has experienced substantial growth since launching in 2023. The company now supports agencies, consultancies, and insight teams globally with survey programming, data collection, and analysis across more than 130 markets.