Welcome to the Tony Cowling Foundation
Our Mission
Guided by Tony's values of inclusion and internationalism, the mission of the Tony Cowling Foundation is to provoke and recognise innovation in the Market Research industry through our Research, Awards and Education programs.
The Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation (CIC). It has been set up as a tribute to the man who had a positive effect on the lives of many people
Its aim is to create a memorial to Tony which will foster the values which he encouraged.
Foremost amongst these were his commitments to inclusion, innovation and internationalism.
2024 Industry Innovation Awards
Realeyes Wins the Tony Cowling Market Research Industry Innovation Award, 2024
The Tony Cowling Foundation is thrilled to announce its Market Industry Award Winner for 2024 as Realeyes, for its innovative project in face verification technology. Realeyes has developed a cutting-edge solution aimed at enhancing survey quality through real-time face verification. This technology ensures the authenticity and accuracy of survey responses, addressing a critical challenge in data collection.
For more information and to apply, visit our Awards Page below.
Watch the award presentation video above.
Award presentation ESOMAR Congress 2024
We’re thrilled to announce that the Realeyes - Vision AI team were on stage as the winners of the Tony Cowling Foundation Market Research Industry Innovation Award 2024!
Joining them to present this honour was Dr Christopher Goard, Chair of the Tony Cowling Foundation Board of Directors, and Joaquim Bretcha, Director General of ESOMAR, to celebrate this incredible achievement.
Now firmly established in the industry, this prestigious international accolade continues to celebrate groundbreaking work in market research, showcasing innovation, data quality, operational excellence, and robust client applications.
Support the work of the Tony Cowling Foundation
Be part of something great!
Your donation will help support the important work that the Tony Cowling Foundation has committed to carry out. We are working to continue to grow funds for our partnership with Cambridge Judge Business School which will allow us to develop the next round of three significant research projects at CJBS, through the lens of innovation, internationalism and inclusivity.
Your donation will also go towards securing funding for the third annual Tony Cowling Market Research Industry Innovation Award to be presented this year at the ESOMAR Annual Congress in Prague (28th September - 1st October 2025)
By donating, you are contributing to not only Tony Cowling’s on-going memorial, but also helping to shape the future of the research industry and create impactful change.
Interviews
Research Network Interview with Tony Cowling
When you can please take the time to listen to Tony himself. This is an interview that Tony did for for the Oral History project of The Research Network
Richard Marks and Mike Kirkham discuss Tony's legacy
In this asiCast, asi’s Research Director Richard Marks discusses the establishment of the Foundation with Mike Kirkham
Mike Kirkham, former CEO of TNS, is one of the leaders of this initiative. He worked closely with Tony for more than fifteen years and explains: ‘Tony was a visionary and a stimulating man to work for. He was committed to the values of inclusion, innovation and internationalism. We want to create a memorial worthy of a man who had such a positive influence on so many people. It will celebrate and perpetuate those values.’
This interview was conducted by asi conferences.