Two of Scotland’s leading independent public relations and public affairs consultancies are joining forces this week.
The deal will see Edinburgh-based Pagoda Public Relations acquiring the Morhamburn Consultancy to create a 15-strong company offering an integrated package of public affairs, media relations, community consultation and wider stakeholder communication.
Morhamburn director, John Macgill, joins the board of Pagoda Public Relations. The existing Pagoda PR board members are chair, Sir Michael Hirst, managing director, Ian Coldwell, and director, Giselle Dye.
In a statement issued by Pagoda, Coldwell is quoted, as saying: “Our aim is to reinforce our position as Scotland’s premier consultancy for issues-based PR and public affairs.
“This acquisition not only broadens our pool of expertise but gives us the scale to take on larger projects.”
Employing 11 staff, Pagoda Public Relations is one of only three Scottish registered companies in the PR Week 150. Its clients include The Crown Estate, Waitrose and Alliance Boots.
Earlier this month it scooped three CIPR Scotland Pride awards, including the gold for 'Best Campaign £10k and Under'.
Morhamburn has four staff, all based in Edinburgh. Macgill is quoted, as saying: “This a logical and exciting next step for Morhamburn, offering staff the opportunity to develop their potential as part of a bigger team.”
Before setting up Morhamburn three years ago, Macgill was managing director of Grayling in Scotland. He previously spent 15 years in broadcasting with the BBC, STV and Radio Forth, including time as an editor of Good Morning Scotland. He was also editor of Holyrood magazine and The Parliament (the magazines of the Scottish and European Parliaments respectively). He is a past chair of the Association for Scottish Public Affairs and the Association of Professional Political Consultants in Scotland.
Also moving to Pagoda is assistant director, Niamh Hegarty, who has previously worked in the European Parliament and in public affairs consultancy in Brussels.
The combination builds on co-operation between the companies over the last two years. Morhamburn will operate as a trading subsidiary and the brand will be retained.
