Bobby Duffy, previously head of the UK SRI, takes a lead role in the expanded practice as director. Ipsos says social and political research accounts for around €100m of its annual turnover – roughly 10% of total sales.

“The Ipsos Social Research Institute is a key priority for Ipsos,” said co-president Jean-Marc Lech. “We are currently seeing pressure on government budgets all over the world – but there will always be a need for real insight into citizen priorities and understanding what works in social policy. [SRI] can provide that insight from both a local and global perspective.”

SRI began life within Mori, the British polling and research organisation that was acquired by Ipsos in an £88m deal in October 2005.