Paul French was writing on Chinese and South East Asian
consumer markets for several years, prior to the founding of Access Asia,
for many of the leading market research companies in the UK, including Euromonitor, Frost & Sullivan and KeyNote. Paul has also worked as a China analyst for Royal Mail Consulting and a number of other major UK companies. Before concentrating solely on Asia, Paul worked as an Editor for Time Out magazine in London and organized tours to the Soviet Union. As a China specialist he has been quoted in a wide variety of publications including the FT, Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal Asia, the South China Morning Post and the LA Times. Paul studied history & economics in London and also has a M.Phil in Socialist Theories & Economics from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. He studied Chinese at the City Literary Institute in London. Now based in Shanghai, Paul continues to
write much of the strategic analysis for our reports, whilst having taken on the responsibility for
marketing and promoting the work that Access Asia does. Paul is particularly active in organising seminars
conferences both in Asia, Europe and North America. He is also the main point of contact for all of our agents across the world. His areas of special interest include consumer goods, retailing and leisure services as well as writing about North Korea. You can reach Paul on paul@accessasia.co.uk.
Matthew Crabbe - managing director
Matthew Crabbe graduated in Chinese Studies from Leeds University, UK and has also studied in both
mainland China and Taiwan. He wrote a business column for the SiYu Chinese Times, a Chinese-language newspaper published in the UK
and has some 10-year's experience in conducting market research on markets in Asia for several market
research companies and consultancies, including Euromonitor and KeyNote. It was Matthew's insistence that market research on Chinese and Asian markets could be done better than was previously the case that led to the setting-up of Access Asia with Paul French in 1998. Now, having taken on the role of MD, although continuing to write and edit reports,
Matthew is now spending a lot more time developing the company's new electronic delivery systems, as well as keeping the company running on a day-to-day basis.
Matthew is an experienced speaker on consumer markets in China and other parts of Asia, having delivered several presentations in Chinese! His particular areas of expertise are in food and beverage markets and the retailing industry. You can reach Matthew on matthew@accessasia.co.uk.
Lisa Xu - administration officer
Lisa Xu is our new admin officer in Shanghai handling all our bills, expenses, diaries & the boring stuff we hate doing ourselves. Lisa is a graduate of Peijing College in Shanghai and speaks German & English as well as Chinese. Lisa can be reached on lisa@accessasia.co.uk.
Helen Li - marketing manager
Helen Li Xiaofang is Access Asia's new marketing manager, who has taken on responsibility for developing the marketing programme for our reports in Asia, and helping with sales agent communications. Helen has a Masters degree in business administration from the University of Wolverhampton, which makes her one of the best qualified people in the company. Helen is a native of Changsha, in Hunan province, Mao Zedong's home town.helen@access-asia.info.
Li Yinjie (AJ) - researcher
Li Yinjie (AJ) is one of our intrepid researchers who travels around China tracking down data and interviews. Formerly a student in Shanghai she is now seeing parts of China she never imagined.
Search Reports
Download Catalogue
Our complete catalogue is available for download now.
Every single Report, complete with descriptions, in HTML format.
Paul French was writing on Chinese and South East Asian
consumer markets for several years, prior to the founding of Access Asia,
for many of the leading market research companies in the UK, including Euromonitor, Frost & Sullivan and KeyNote. Paul has also worked as a China analyst for Royal Mail Consulting and a number of other major UK companies. Before concentrating solely on Asia, Paul worked as an Editor for Time Out magazine in London and organized tours to the Soviet Union. As a China specialist he has been quoted in a wide variety of publications including the FT, Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal Asia, the South China Morning Post and the LA Times. Paul studied history & economics in London and also has a M.Phil in Socialist Theories & Economics from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. He studied Chinese at the City Literary Institute in London. Now based in Shanghai, Paul continues to
write much of the strategic analysis for our reports, whilst having taken on the responsibility for
marketing and promoting the work that Access Asia does. Paul is particularly active in organising seminars
conferences both in Asia, Europe and North America. He is also the main point of contact for all of our agents across the world. His areas of special interest include consumer goods, retailing and leisure services as well as writing about North Korea. You can reach Paul on 
Matthew Crabbe graduated in Chinese Studies from Leeds University, UK and has also studied in both
mainland China and Taiwan. He wrote a business column for the SiYu Chinese Times, a Chinese-language newspaper published in the UK
and has some 10-year's experience in conducting market research on markets in Asia for several market
research companies and consultancies, including Euromonitor and KeyNote. It was Matthew's insistence that market research on Chinese and Asian markets could be done better than was previously the case that led to the setting-up of Access Asia with Paul French in 1998. Now, having taken on the role of MD, although continuing to write and edit reports,
Matthew is now spending a lot more time developing the company's new electronic delivery systems, as well as keeping the company running on a day-to-day basis.
Matthew is an experienced speaker on consumer markets in China and other parts of Asia, having delivered several presentations in Chinese! His particular areas of expertise are in food and beverage markets and the retailing industry. You can reach Matthew on 
Lisa Xu is our new admin officer in Shanghai handling all our bills, expenses, diaries & the boring stuff we hate doing ourselves. Lisa is a graduate of Peijing College in Shanghai and speaks German & English as well as Chinese. Lisa can be reached on 
Helen Li Xiaofang is Access Asia's new marketing manager, who has taken on responsibility for developing the marketing programme for our reports in Asia, and helping with sales agent communications. Helen has a Masters degree in business administration from the University of Wolverhampton, which makes her one of the best qualified people in the company. Helen is a native of Changsha, in Hunan province, Mao Zedong's home town.
Li Yinjie (AJ) is one of our intrepid researchers who travels around China tracking down data and interviews. Formerly a student in Shanghai she is now seeing parts of China she never imagined.