Thinks Insight Launches Citizen Engagement Practice

London-based global consultancy Thinks Insight & Strategy has set up a specialist practice called 'Dialogue', building on its experience running major citizen engagement projects in the UK. Company Partner Lucy Farrow will head up the team.

Former in 2023 when research firms BritainThinks and its subsidiary WorldThinks came together under a single brand, the firm works on political, corporate, nfp and reputation research and promises to help clients 'make better decisions, drive positive behaviour, communicate more persuasively and engage more effectively'. Thinks is majority owned by an Employee Ownership Trust and is a certified B-Corp.

The new unit will complement Thinks' existing research and strategy practice and its Behavioural Science Advisory Service, offering customised services for local and central government bodies looking 'to forge new relationships with citizens through innovative engagement'.

Farrow (pictured top) brings fifteen years of experience of citizen engagement work and is a Visiting Fellow at Lancaster University, focusing on participatory climate policy making as part of the Climate Citizens initiative. She is joined on the new team by former Ipsos qual researcher Paul Carrol (pictured below), Director, who also brings fifteen years' experience in the citizen engagement field - including transport & infrastructure, health, the environment and politics - and will serve as a Director. Completing the team are three people hired in November: Emily Cowles-Naja, formerly of third sector specialists Renaisi; ex-CQC researcher Grace Evans; and Louis Mylne, formerly at dialogue agency Hopkins Van Mill.

Farrow says of the new unit: 'Involving citizens in the decisions that affect their lives has never been more important in the context of political polarisation and eroding trust in institutions. In my four years at Thinks I've seen our practice go from strength to strength, and I'm looking forward to continuing to develop our unique offer of practical dialogue solutions that address real world policy and social challenges'.

Company Chair and co-founder Viki Cooke says the team 'is already proving itself to be incredibly successful, working closely on a number of major challenges including Change.NHS, the government's biggest ever conversation with the public and staff to inform the NHS 10 Year Plan'.

Web site: www.thinksinsight.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.