Wilkins worked in Dubai for Bell Pottinger, where he served as a regional campaigns director and oversaw strategies for political and social campaigns across the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

He previously worked as a policy adviser and speech writer at Conservative Central Office for successive Tory leaders and other senior Conservatives. During the 2005 general election he worked as head of brand and advertising and assistant campaign director to political strategist Lynton Crosby.

After working on David Davis’s campaign for the Conservative leadership he moved into the corporate world with spells at M&C Saatchi and CTN.

At Populus, he will work with director Rick Nye to develop the political, social and corporate reputation side of the business and provide senior counsel on communications and brand and reputation management.