Michael Simmonds
Managing Director

Michael set up Populus with Andrew Cooper in 2003. He is responsible for the management of the company and its research team as well as for developing the growth of the business.

Michael is a graduate of the University of Leeds. After a spell working for a leading think tank, he served as special adviser to three cabinet ministers and as Deputy Director of Research for The Conservative Party. Between these political posts, he worked at the BBC’s Political Research Unit. Following the 1997 General Election, he was Director of Membership and Marketing for The Conservative Party with responsibility for introducing a national membership database.

Michael has led projects for a wide range of clients including Barclays, PepsiCo and the Football League.