About | Consumer Research | Product Testing

Wirral Sensory Services

Established in 1997, Wirral Sensory Services conducts sensory and consumer research for the food, beverage and household product industries.

At WSS we offer a flexible and personalised product testing service. We provide detailed, statistically robust results based on your requirements. Our research aids product optimisation, improved customer satisfaction and increased sales potential.

Our Approach

Our approach allows us to be extremely competitive on cost and with the flexibility to meet the most exacting of deadlines.

Whether you are a start up company looking to break into a supermarket or a global brand assessing a range of new concepts, our research can help your business.

We pride ourselves on building strong relationships with our clients; when we conduct research for a new client our aim is that rather than being an individual piece of research, it will be the start of an ongoing partnership to produce the best possible products.

Meet Our Team

Paul Melville

Project Director

Paul joined WSS becoming the second member of the management team & was instrumental in moving the company forward.

David Barry

Marketing Director

Dave joined the business as marketing director in 1999 after working in investments and acquisitions.

Debbie Melville

Research Director

Debbie Melville joined WSS in 08. She is a qualified Veterinarian & before joining she managed a successful animal veterinary practice.

Jon-Paul Realey

Associate Director

Jp joined the business in 2010 after completing a business degree. He is now responsible for digital strategy & key accounts.

Lynn Deyes

Senior Manager

Lynn’s background is in education & IT. She previously worked for a multinational law firm conducting research & training.

Nick Watson

Senior Account Manager

Nick joined us in 2011 & works on one of our major client accounts, responsible for data analysis & reporting.

Diane Smith

Accounts Manager

Diane Smith joined us in 2010 & is now a full time Accounts Manager. Previously, Diane worked as a mortgage underwriter.

Gill Evans

Senior Project Executive

Gill has been instrumental in developing software applications to support the business as well as working on data & reports.

Chris Toal

Senior Project Executive

Chris brings enthusiasm & a fine eye for detail to the role. He currently works on NPD work & a supermarket account.

Chris Realey

Project Manager

Chris joined the business in 2021 to work on the pet-food arm of WSS & is now instrumental in the organisation of regular testing.

Joe Wood

Project Executive

Joe studied Chemistry at LJMU & joined the business in 2022 where he helps out on bespoke projects both in the UK & in Europe.

Ben Ellis

Project Executive

Ben joined the business in late 2023 to help with a key account and also works on sensory optimisation projects.

Amy Davies

Project Executive

Amy re-joined the business in late 2023 to help manage a number of new client accounts and to work on sensory optimisation projects. She studied Food and Nutrition at LJMU and has a background in research and development.

Marie Hanafin

Project Executive

Marie joined WSS in early 2023 to work on key accounts after studying Biomedical sciences as Liverpool University.

Stuart Blair

Kitchen Manager

Stuart’s main focus is the preparation of the samples for the panellists to test & making sure clients’ guidelines are followed.

Rob Bonsall

Marketing Manager

Rob has recently joined in a sales & marketing role. Rob has vast b2b sales experience, applying knowledge from his marketing background to develop client relations.