Nick Sparrow joins Populus

Growing research and strategy consultancy Populus has recruited Nick Sparrow as a Special Adviser. Nick will advise the company on a range of issues focussing on business growth and methodological innovation.

Populus Managing Director, Michael Simmonds, said: ‘When it comes to building a company Nick has been
there and done it and he is renowned for his methodological skill and innovation. It will be great to be able to tap
into the experience of such an industry giant.’

Nick added: ‘I am really thrilled to be joining the excellent team at Populus, it is my kind of company. It is ideally
placed to expand rapidly, having invested heavily in new services staffed by an excellent team of researchers.
The company as a whole is determined to deliver the best advice to clients based on new, innovative and reliable
research methodologies.’

Nick will be working closely with Rick Nye the Populus Director responsible for all the company’s political polling
work.

Rick said: ‘Nick’s track record in keeping ahead of the curve in opinion polling methodology is legendary. I’m
looking forward to involving him in the development of robust methodological solutions for our clients.’

Nick Sparrow’s appointment is the latest in a series of senior hires, with others scheduled in the next few months.

Ends

Notes to editors

About Nick Sparrow

Nick Sparrow founded ICM in 1989 and led the company from that time. He and his fellow directors sold ICM in 2006 to Creston Plc and Nick left the company in 2009 following the successful completion of the sale agreement. Under his leadership ICM achieved sales of almost £20 million in the final year of his tenure.

Throughout his career in market research Nick has been at the forefront of implementing new innovations in data collection and interpretation. In the early 1980s Nick was one of the first to adopt telephone research methods in the UK. His current focus is on developing reliable online research methodologies and making full use of the possibilities for new research techniques this offers. For his work on research methodologies Nick has been awarded the MRS Silver Medal on two occasions in 1995 and again in 2007.

Populus

Populus, which was established in 2003, is pollster to The Times and works for a wide range of clients, including the Premier League, PepsiCo and Asda. In 2010 Populus launched Populus Data Solutions headed by former ICM Direct MD Patrick Diamond providing online and CATI field and tab services to a growing list of agencies.