Our Team
Avis and Toby each have over 25 years’ experience tackling social challenges in the UK and internationally.
They established Social Engine in 2015 in order to continue their long-standing commitment to tackle inequality. With experience from diverse working environments they are motivated to improve the not for profit and public sectors with innovative but proven approaches.
Creative, evidence-driven and pragmatic, they continue to oversee the many and varied projects undertaken by the team.
Avis Johns
Director, Co-Founder
Avis specialises in the application of behavioural insights and social marketing and has worked in public health, education, community and commercial settings to devise, lead and evaluate activities that improve lives.
She leads our work in strategic planning and brand engagement bringing her passion for facilitation and co-creation to support our clients on the journey.
She brings empathy, ambition, creativity and evidence to every project. Whether it’s asking hard questions about organisational objectives or drilling down into what makes people tick she brings her passion – and pragmatism - to every project.
Get in touch: avis@social-engine.co.uk or 07958 931 465
Toby Blume
Director, Co-Founder
Toby has been designing and delivering new ways to tackle social, economic and environmental challenges in the public and not for profit sectors since the 1990s. Astute and precise, he interrogates data and evidence sources to reveal the insights that drive improvement.
Combined with his practitioner experience he understands how to translate evidence into practice ensuring that the solutions are grounded in what is practical.
A pioneer in the application of behavioural insights in local government his earliest trials in revenue collection, demand management and channel shift are award-winning. From supporting the smallest community and marginalised groups, through to navigating Government Departments and public bodies, Toby brings authority, experience and a vision for change focused squarely on improving lives and working practices.
Get in touch: toby@social-engine.co.uk or 07985 440 276
Marios Petropoulos
Senior Analyst
With a background in psychology, Marios combines academic knowledge with practitioner experience. Ensuring even the most complex insights are simple to understand, his research and analysis skills provide the insights which drive project success.
Annika Hagel
Project Manager
Holding degrees in Governance and Gender Studies, Annika brings an analytical mindset and a strong understanding of complex social issues to every project. Using her organisational and interpersonal skills, she makes sure that our clients’ needs are always at the centre of our work.
Kelvicia Venn
Projects Officer
With a background in psychology, Kelvicia applies her academic and practical skills to provide valuable insights and perspectives to our work. Her empathy, curiosity and passion for social change combined with a methodological approach ensures our projects are delivered efficiently and with kindness.
Peter John
Senior Research Advisor
Peter John is Professor of Public Policy at King’s College London and a global expert in behavioural insights and randomised controlled trials.
Author of several books on behavioural interventions in public policy including Nudge, Nudge, Think, Think: Experimenting with Ways to Change Civic Behaviour (Bloomsbury, 2011) and Field Experiments in Political Science, he has extensive experience of applying academic rigour to projects across numerous local authorities and government departments.
Penny Neu
Communications Specialist
Penny’s communications specialism has been honed by many years advising leadership teams and boards on how to maximise their impact and engagement activities.
Expert in developing strategy, building and leading teams, her astute approach to stakeholder management is behind many successful projects - from Whitehall to local government and the BBC.
Mike Williams
Creative Lead
A creative brand strategist and writer, Mike builds purposeful brands that help change the world for the better.
He loves empowering great clients with a 'big idea’, which is underpinned by an effective brand strategy and brought to life with resonant copy, human stories and compelling logos and creative.
He has delivered successful brands, digital and campaigns for almost 20 years, first as a client, then as a consultant, for high profile organisations including The Royal Society, The Electoral Commission, and Mencap.
Working with our core team we have a bank of specialists providing additional design, digital, copywriting, comms and engagement expertise, as required by our projects.