Populus co-founder Cooper given peerage

UK — Andrew Cooper, who took a leave of absence from Populus to work for David Cameron as his director of strategy, is to be made a peer.

Cooper (pictured) was deputy director of research for the Conservatives from 1996 through the 1997 general election, and was then made director of strategy. He held that position until he set up Populus in 2003 with party colleague Michael Simmonds.

Cooper then took a leave of absence from Populus in February 2011 to work for Cameron, returning in October 2013.