Four Communications Group, a London, UK-based independent integrated communications agency, acquired the Welsh PR and design agency Francis Balsom Associates Ltd (known as FBA).
Four has acquired 100% of the equity in the agency for an undisclosed amount. The two companies already work together in a consortium called Four Cymru and this will be the trading name going forward for all work in Wales.
Founded in 1989, FBA will now join Four Communications’ existing public relations, public affairs, digital & design, sponsorship and media planning & buying practices. The agency, which has a staff of 16, will continue to be led by managing director Meilyr Ceredig who will join the practice board of the group. Founder and chair Sue Balsom will continue to be a consultant to the agency. FBA’s client list includes Welsh Government, Higher Education Wales, Ceredigion Council, Food Innovation Wales, Lantra, Christian Aid, Rachel’s Organic, Visit Wales and Fork2Fork.
This acquisition is the second announced by Four since it secured a £10m investment of equity finance from Business Growth Fund.
Last month the company acquired financial & professional services agency Broadgate Mainland and earlier this year it acquired healthcare media planning & buying agency MSA Media. Previous acquisitions have included Consolidated PR, Colman Getty, bgb and Kinross+Render which are all now integrated into the group.
With offices in London, Edinburgh, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Four currently employs over 250 staff providing public relations, public affairs, marketing, sponsorship, digital & content & media buying with a particular focus on the property, travel, culture, healthcare, financial services and public sectors. The company has over 600 clients including Etihad Airways, The Man Booker Prizes, Sotheby’s International Realty, InterContinental Hotels Group and American Express.
FinSMEs
07/10/2015