Washington, DC and London, UK – PPHC, the government relations and public
affairs holding company, has acquired Pagefield Communications Limited (“Pagefield”),
a UK-based strategic communications firm headquartered in London, for a consideration
up to £30m1, establishing a foothold outside the US for the first time.
PPHC has been targeting acquisitions within the key political capitals of London and
Brussels, as well as into further key US state capitals, to broaden its geographical
presence. The Group’s healthy M&A pipeline is reflected by the pace of dealmaking, as
the Pagefield deal follows the acquisition of Lucas Public Affairs (“LPA”) based in
Sacramento, CA on 1 May 2024. Today’s announcement is PPHC’s fourth significant
acquisition since IPO in December 2021 on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM, and
Pagefield becomes the 10th complementary brand to sit under the Group’s growing
umbrella.
The addition of Pagefield marks a significant step towards PPHC’s stated goal of being
the world’s premier provider of government relations and integrated communications
services for corporate interests and NGOs, and further solidifies its position as an
industry leader. Founded in 2010, Pagefield has earned widespread recognition for its
excellence and impact in helping clients navigate the UK’s complex legislative and
regulatory environment and is known for high-level reputation, issues management and
strategic communications campaigns. Comprising an entirely cross-party team of 36
full-time employees, the firm has deep familiarity with the UK’s political, business and
media landscapes.
As with each of PPHC’s specialist firms, Pagefield will operate independently as a
wholly owned subsidiary, maintaining its distinct brand identity and management team.
The acquisition sets the stage for significant synergies between the Group’s network of
more than 1,200 clients and 350+ policy and communications experts. Going forward,
Pagefield will serve as a critical anchor for PPHC’s further expansion into Europe, the
Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
“The consequential nature of UK – and U.S. – public policy at this very moment
demonstrates why having leading strategists working in collaboration is so important to
clients across the globe.This is a major milestone for PPHC and it is only possible
because the shared strategic goals between Pagefield and PPHC were clear from the
very start,” said Stewart Hall, PPHC CEO. “The addition of Pagefield’s experienced
team will help us ensure our clients’ needs are met in an increasingly complex public
policy and regulatory environment. The myriad of risks and opportunities faced by
corporate and NGO leaders are no longer determined by borders or time zones. PPHC
is uniquely positioned to advance our clients’ interests at a particularly determinative
time in our political and cultural history.”
“We seek partners, not just acquisitions. And after an extensive, multi-year search for a
consultancy which is capable to serve our clients and help fuel our growth
internationally, to find Pagefield at an inflection point themselves was true serendipity,”
added Thomas Gensemer, PPHC Chief Strategy Officer, who also leads the Group’s
international expansion. “Our goal is to be the premier provider of government relations
and integrated communications around the world and we remain on the lookout for high
quality consultancy partners in the UK, internationally and in additional states across the
US. Our pipeline of acquisition opportunities under development remains extremely
healthy as we solidify our positions.”
Oliver Foster, CEO of Pagefield, commented:
“We are delighted to be joining the PPHC family whilst maintaining the Pagefield brand,
ethos and values. This next phase in our growth will open up a huge well of professional
– and international – expertise to our clients. We already advise and represent a number
of international clients in the UK, and PPHC works with a number of UK clients in the
US. Therefore, the long-term client benefits were crystal clear from the moment we
began our discussions and the opportunities for professional collaboration to add further
value to current, new and shared clients is incredibly exciting.”
Mark Gallagher, Co-Founder of Pagefield, added:
“I am thrilled that we have found a terrific new home for Pagefield and our exceptional
team – a prerequisite for the future of a company we founded some fourteen years ago.
Today we are laying the foundation stone of what I have no doubt will be a transatlantic
PR powerhouse. As founders of the business, Sara Price and I are also delighted to
maintain our involvement in Pagefield and to have a stake in the future success of
PPHC as a whole.”
In addition to the 1 May acquisition of LPA, the Pagefield deal follows the 1 March 2023
acquisition of MultiState Associates, the Washington, DC firm which specialises in statebased government relations across the US and Canadian provinces and territories and
the November 2023, launch of Concordant, a new corporate communications advisory,
based in Chicago.
PPHC’s other brands include Alpine Group Partners, Crossroads Strategies, Forbes
Tate Partners, KP Public Affairs, O’Neill & Associates and Seven Letter.
PPHC is listed on the Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”) of the London Stock
Exchange (Ticker: PPHC)
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About PPHC
Incorporated in 2014, PPHC is a US-based government relations and public affairs
group providing clients with a fully integrated and comprehensive range of services
including government and public relations, research and digital advocacy campaigns.
Retained by over two-thirds of its 1200+ clients, including corporates, trade associations
and non-governmental organisations, the Group is active in all major sectors of the US
economy, including healthcare and pharmaceuticals, financial services, energy,
technology, telecoms and transportation. PPHC’s services support clients to enhance
and defend their reputations, advance policy goals, manage regulatory risk, and engage
with US federal and state-level policy makers, stakeholders, media and the public.
PPHC operates a holding company structure and operates specialized firms in the
strategic communications market. The Group has a strong track record of organic and
acquisitive growth, the latter focused on enhancing its capabilities and establishing new
verticals, either within new geographies or new related offerings.
For more information, see www.pphcompany.com.
About Pagefield
Pagefield is a fully integrated, cross-party, strategic communications consultancy that offers specialist expertise in corporate campaigning, public affairs, public relations and digital. We raise up our clients’ voices by delivering strategic communications designed for impact.
Founded in 2010 – and now proudly a subsidiary company within the international Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC) group – we’ve worked with hundreds of the world’s biggest brands, listed companies, fast-moving start-ups and challengers, inspiring charities, and extraordinary individuals. We provide our clients with best-in-class insight, creative thinking and we are strategically connected to the media and political stakeholders our clients need to help them navigate an increasingly complex world.
We deliver for clients across all sectors of the economy including Hitachi Rail, Klarna, London City Airport, Pennon Group, Pernod Ricard, and Warner Bros Discovery. We relish difficult challenges and have led the campaign to repatriate the Elgin Marbles to Greece; the fightback on behalf of the property industry against legislation undermining investor confidence; and the ongoing push to protect property rights in the telecoms market.
