Meakin (pictured) joins from research and training consultancy Lorien Connect where he was a senior researcher. He will be based at the offices of Opinion Leader.

He is the latest in a string of senior hires made by Crispin Beale since he took over as CEO of the division, following the departure of Opinion Leader founders Deborah Mattinson and Viki Cooke, who had served as co-chairs of the division.

Reporting on its performance in the first half of this year, Chime said last week that the research division as a whole had improved thanks to a management restructure, but that Opinion Leader’s performance had “not yet shown the benefits of the restructuring”. The division’s adjusted operating profit (excluding costs related to acquisitions and restructuring) was up 10.9% on the first half of last year, to £379,000.

“There is a real buzz in the industry about Opinion Leader,” said Meakin, “so when Crispin approached me with an offer to join the company I felt I couldn’t refuse.”

Before joining Lorien he worked on the agencyside as an associate director at Network Research and BJM Research & Consultancy.

Alongside Opinion Leader, companies in Chime’s research and engagement division include Facts International, Caucus, Tree, Naked Eye and Brand Democracy.