DVL Smith Group recognises its responsibilities as a corporate citizen: we support a number of organisations through pro-bono work, donations to charities, fundraising activities and responsible work practices.
Environmental support
Forest Stewardship Council
DVL Smith Group works with the Forest Stewardship Council in Australia to assist in supporting the development of sustainable forestry practices, and the use of paper products.
Charitable support
UK Market Research Benevolent Association
DVL Smith Group has been an ardent supporter of the UK Market Research Benevolent Association for many years. The Association exists to help those who work or have worked in market research in any capacity, whether as researchers, interviewers, or office staff, as employees or independents, and whether members of The UK Market Research Society or not. In complete confidence, the Association gives financial help to people who are sick, who have been bereaved, who have met with an accident, or who have suffered misfortune in any other way.
In September 2007, David Smith, a Director at DVL Smith Group, with Justin Gutmann and Malcolm Rigg, cycled from Aachen (Aix) in Germany to Ghent in Belgium, to raise funds for the Association. This ride commemorates the Robert Browning (1812-89) poem How They Brought the Good News from Ghent to Aix.
For details of the completed fundraising activity "The Ghent-to-Aix Bike Ride", see page 2 of the Market Research Benevolent Association Newsletter (No.16 Autumn 2007) (pdf).
UK Breast Cancer Awareness
DVL Smith Group recently lost a long-time friend and colleague in Sandra Cook to breast cancer. Sandra (née Mead) died on 6th July 2007 aged 41, after a brave battle against cancer. She leaves her husband Chris and her beloved twins, Simon and Louise, aged four. Sandra worked in the market research industry for over 12 years. She was a founder employee of DVL Smith Ltd, working as an assistant to the Chairman and CEO. Many clients will remember her professionalism, dedication and fantastic good nature. During the period in which David Smith was Chairman of the Market Research Society, Sandra was a stalwart, working on behalf of the Market Research Society, alongside the Secretariat, on a range of different initiatives.
For details of how to make a donation to Chris' chosen charity, please visit the Breast Cancer Care website.