A Corporate and Financial PR consultancy based in London

Bridging the gap

How we help

Here are examples of sectors in which we work and projects we have undertaken:

View in-depth case studies of some of our work.

Accountancy

PricewaterhouseCooperspwc

We have worked with the in-house team on a range of communications projects, providing support and an outside perspective. Our understanding of the working of the firm and the profession meant that we could be trusted to devise and run projects independently.

Banks and building societies

Cheltenham & GloucesterC&G

We improved the clarity of design and writing of annual mortgage mailings, this client’s most important customer communication.

NatWestNatwest

We were asked to provide support for the busy NatWest in-house communications team when they needed extra capacity and an outside perspective.

Biotech

ImmuPharma ImmuPharma

We advised this drug discovery and development group on its AIM launch and designed the corporate identity and website.

Industry

Pioneer Expeditions

We ran a training programme for staff of this travel business to help them to raise the level of their communications activities.

TetraPakTetraPak

We devised a web-based, customer benchmark research study for this packaging and food processing company and trained an in-house team to handle the tracking research.

Insurance insolvency

PricewaterhouseCooperspwc

We devised an international campaign which secured overwhelming support for the rescue of one of the world’s largest insurance insolvencies. In regular updates on the run-off, we reiterated the key facts to the changing cadre of media, keeping in mind the need to keep the communication of complex messages as succinct as possible. We also created an in-house newsletter to improve internal communications worldwide.

Legal

Fenwick ElliottFenwick Elliot

We initially advised on communications surrounding the departure of the eponymous founder. We were subsequently retained to advise on and implement marketing, communications, and corporate identity programmes.

View the case study.

The Legal Services CommissionLegal Services Commission

We were called in to improve the complaints-handling team’s letter-writing skills which led to our being asked to advise on other confidential projects.

Life assurance and pensions

NatWest LifeNatWest Life

We devised and managed a major arts project that created immense public interest and goodwill, and reinforced the client’s national brand and reputation within its local community.

Pearl AssurancePearl Assurance

As a fully-integrated part of an in-house team, we completed a major and highly sensitive communications programme for Pearl’s staff and customers. Our re-designed customer statements and letters led to a Plain English Campaign award.

Management consultancy

The FoundationThe Foundation

We gained constructive media coverage for a management consultancy, which has generated new business leads and established the senior partner as an industry commentator. We helped to restructure a major research study to give it more impact.

Senn DelaneySenn Delaney

Senn Delaney, which advises the world’s largest organisations on corporate culture, approached us to raise the firm’s profile. We helped to refine the message and initiated a media relations programme, which has generated quality coverage of their work.

Private equity and venture capital

Bowmark CapitalBowmark Capital

We devised, wrote, produced and promoted the Bowmark Entrepreneurs’ Index. The Index provides quality trend data and has generated valuable editorial coverage in national and trade media for Bowmark’s target sectors.

View the case study.

Graphite CapitalGraphite Capital

Initially we provided PR advice for three retail transactions – the sales of Maplin Electronics and Paperchase, and the refinancing of Wagamama. Subsequently we were retained to raise the firm’s corporate profile.

View the case study.

Gresham Private EquityGresham Private Equity

We ran a highly successful media campaign securing a much higher profile for this private equity house. We also devised the Gresham Monitor, a biannual survey of mid-market companies, creating new benchmarks to assess the performance of this key sector of the UK economy.

Quester

We worked with venture capital firm, Quester, to raise the firm’s profile and to support its venture capital trust launches.

Professional bodies and member groups

Association of Independent Financial AdvisersAIFA

We provided strategic support and advice during the maternity leave of the in-house public affairs manager.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

We were brought in to help train the junior public relations team. As their skills and experience grew, we worked with them to develop the public relations programme.

The Chartered Institute of TaxationChartered Institute of Taxation

We planned a campaign to highlight the brand and put the body representing Britain’s taxation professionals firmly and permanently in the public arena. Now the Institute has an established reputation for setting the agenda for the radical improvement of taxation legislation.

Institute of Chartered AccountantsInstitute of Chartered Accountants

We have run training seminars for the corporate finance team to help maximise the impact of their activities across the different stakeholder groups.

Our work with professional bodies and member groups

Our work for professional bodies and member organisations has often involved improving their communications, primarily to attract new members.

Where required, we have helped these organisations to develop a PR strategy to support their corporate thinking and further their business objectives. We have trained spokespeople; developed themes and news stories; and run workshops to improve the communications skills of in-house teams.

Our skills include creating networking opportunities for members, providing training as appropriate; arranging conferences and seminars with high profile speakers; and running, and popularising, less formal events. We help maximise PR opportunities for officers, whose time is limited by full-time jobs, by capitalising on tactical PR opportunities, writing speeches, ghosting articles and developing briefing packs.

Our success has consistently been measured by growing membership lists, better attendances at meetings, improving media profiles and greater member satisfaction.

Caroline Cecil has also played a leading role in rejuvenating the Chartered Institute of Public Relations’ Corporate and Financial Group; and in running the Reform Club Media Group.

Research and academia

Imperial CollegeImperial College

We researched and wrote the material promoting a successful centenary fund-raising campaign. Following briefings, we produced a draft which we reviewed with the team so clarifying and focusing the messages.

London Business SchoolLondon Business School

We promoted the launch of an international management programme for senior executives across Europe.

Medical Research CouncilMedical Research Council

Working with the different groups and teams within the organisation, we advised on the development and implementation of a comprehensive internal communications programme to explain and facilitate a major transformation.

Wealth management

SG HambrosSG Hambros

We helped launch a new wealth management group, following a high profile merger including a carefully targeted media campaign.

View the case study.