Glass was chief executive of the firm from 2000, but because of his illness his activities were taken over by acting CEO Simon Anderson in October last year. He died at home with his family on Saturday at the age of 63.

Young joins NatCen from the BBC Trust, where she led a programme of research and engagement designed to put the licence fee payer at the heart of the Trust’s decision making. Prior to this she was research director at consumer organisation Which? for five years.

She said: “NatCen deservedly has an incredible reputation for providing high quality information, and tackling difficult subjects using innovative methodologies. I’m delighted to be working with such talented colleagues across NatCen, and look forward to us delivering even more insight that will have real impact on social policy.”

NatCen is the UK’s largest independent social research organisation with an annual turnover of around £40m. It is best known for the British Social Attitudes Survey and also runs the National Travel Survey, Family Resources Survey and health surveys for England, Wales and Scotland. It is also working with the Institute of Social and Economic Research on Understanding Society, the UK’s largest ever social research project.