Laurence Stellings (pictured), who joined Populus as a research executive in 2006, has been promoted to director in the company’s Reputation & Strategy division. Five others have been promoted to associate director; in the Business & Consumer Insight division: Tom Anderson, Laura Anderson, Helen Clegg and Tom Scrimgour; and David Rowson in the Reputation & Strategy division.

Lastly, Daisy Powell-Chandler has been promoted to senior consultant.

“I’m delighted that our exceptional growth in the last year has enabled us to promote these really talented people who are greatly valued by clients and their colleagues," said Michael Simmonds, chief executive of Populus.

"We are trying to build a company where people can build lasting, successful and fulfilling careers and so the fact that three of the people we have been able to promote started their working life at Populus is really pleasing.”