UK polling firm Populus has appointed Chris Wilkins as an Associate Director. He will work closely with Director Rick Nye to develop the political, social and corporate reputation side of the business, while providing counsel on communications and brand/reputation management.

Populus provides online field and tab services using its own panel (Populuslive), alongside random online sampling techniques. Last year, the firm opened its own data collection and processing business, Populus Data Solutions.

Wilkins joins from communications group Bell Pottinger Public Advocacy in Dubai, where he worked as Regional Campaigns Director, devising and overseeing strategies for political and social campaigns across the Middle East and South East Asia. Prior to this, he served as Head of Brand Strategy at real estate group Majid Al Futtaim in Dubai, and in London as a Director at M&C Saatchi, a Campaign Manager at Bell Pottinger, and an Account Director at CTN Communications.

He began his career with the Conservative Party as a policy adviser and speech writer for successive Conservative Leaders (2000-05) and other senior Tories including David Davis, Andrew Lansley and Theresa May. During the 2005 election campaign he served as Head of Brand and Advertising and Assistant Campaign Director to Lynton Crosby, and after the election he worked for David Davis on his leadership campaign.

Populus MD Michael Simmonds comments: ‘Chris’s career as a campaigner and communications adviser has been built on understanding people: why they think and act as they do, and what it will take to shift those opinions and behaviours. He will be an excellent addition to our top team and boost Populus’s capabilities across the reputation spectrum.’

Web site: www.populus.co.uk .

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