Cooper was deputy director of research for Cameron’s party, the Conservatives, from 1996 through the 1997 general election, after which he became director of strategy, a position he held until setting up Populus in 2003 with another party colleague Michael Simmonds.

Simmonds said today: “This is a great opportunity for Andrew and everyone at Populus wishes him well. It is a tribute to Andrew and colleagues at Populus that the quality of the strategic advice, which he has provided to clients in both the corporate and political worlds, has been recognised by David Cameron.”

Cooper holds the title of strategic director at Populus and counts the Conservative Party as a client. During his leave of absence, Rick Nye will be taking responsibility for all Populus’s political polling work. Nye currently works for clients including the Premier League and BSkyB.