BritainThinks Hires Pitman to Build Charity Practice

London-based opinion research specialist BritainThinks has appointed former Shelter exec Julia Pitman as Associate Director, tasked with building the firm's Charity practice.

BritainThinks was launched in 2010 by Opinion Leader co-founders Deborah Mattinson and Viki Cooke, along with their former colleague Ben Shimshon. The firm offers strategic advice based on insight gained from stakeholders, consumers, citizens and employees for political, corporate and not-for-profit clients, while its WorldThinks international division has a specific focus on reputation research.

Most recently, Pitman was Political Adviser to the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions during the 2015 general election. Prior to this, she headed Shelter's media team, leading the charity's campaign to make the affordable housing shortage a top political issue. During her career, she has also worked at Age International, and as a Consultant at Third Sector PR, where her clients included charities Carers UK, Youth Sport Trust and Make-A-Wish Foundation. She began her career as a Parliamentary Researcher in the House of Commons.

In her new role, Pitman is charged with developing BritainThinks' offer to include narrative development and support with PR and campaigns planning for the firm's portfolio of charity clients. Commenting on the appointment, Mattinson said: 'We are delighted to welcome Julia to BritainThinks at this exciting time of growth for the firm. She will be instrumental in developing our charity practice, translating research insight into effective communications strategy'.

Web site: www.britainthinks.com .