Populus Appoints Diamond for New Data Collection Unit

UK polling firm Populus has officially launched its new data collection and processing business, Populus Data Solutions; and named Patrick Diamond, who previously led the CATI and online field and tab agency ICM Direct/newvista, to lead it.

Populus provides online field and tab services using its own panel (Populuslive), alongside random online sampling techniques. Later in the summer, the firm will open an in-house 80-seat CATI operation.

Diamond left ICM Direct last year, after 11 years with the firm, the last ten of them as MD. Prior to this, he served as Associate Director at BMRB, with responsibility for Broadcast and Outdoor Media. Diamond began his research career as a telephone interviewer with NOP, before moving on to manage telephone fieldwork projects, and online research.

Diamond comments: 'I've worked with the founders of Populus since the company's launch and we share a passion for robust data solutions. A modern data services business needs to respond quickly to the needs of clients and technological advances, and we are firmly committed to building a service with this at the forefront of our offer.'

Populus co-founder Andrew Cooper (pictured) says Diamond's experience of building and operating online panels and communities as well as running a CATI agency makes him the 'perfect person' to lead the new initiative.

Web site: www.populus.co.uk .