Bell Pottinger has completed the acquisition of Centreground Political Communications. This is the first acquisition by Bell Pottinger since the 2012 Management Buy Out from Chime Communications plc.
Centrepoint founder and former Tony Blair adviser Darren Murphy will take up the post of Chairman of Bell Pottinger’s specialist Geopolitical business unit, working with Managing Director Charles Vivian. Razi Rahman, one of the other founding Directors of Centreground, will become Managing Director of Bell Pottinger’s UK Political specialism, working with Chairman Tim Collins.
Bell Pottinger, a multinational public relations and marketing organisation, is headquartered in London and has offices in key centres worldwide. Their public relations specialists advise a range of clients, including world leaders in politics and business; companies in every industrial and commercial sector; and other organisations and individuals.
Centreground Political Communications provides insight and analysis of policy and public opinion, communications strategy development, campaign planning and execution to a range of UK and International companies and governments.
Lord Bell, Chairman of Bell Pottinger said:
“I am very pleased that Darren and his colleagues have decided to join us, we are an advisory firm and it is important that our range of skills cover all our client’s needs. Our Geopolitical business is growing at a rapid pace. In a world that is facing all sorts of crises and conflicts, a great deal of our work involves conflict resolution - in that we are now uniquely skilled.”
Darren Murphy, CEO of Centreground said:
“The Centreground team is excited by the opportunity to join Bell Pottinger. Bell Pottinger’s domestic and international offer will be strengthened and complemented by our team’s experience of campaigns, communications, politics and government. Insight, strategy and campaigns: these have been at the heart of our business since its inception. We look forward to bringing these skills to Bell Pottinger as part of a full spectrum political communications offer.”
James Henderson, CEO of Bell Pottinger commented:
“Bell Pottinger’s clients will benefit from the addition of a team with an excellent understanding of the workings of government, UK Labour Party politics and the successful strategic planning and execution of election campaigns both in the UK and internationally. Darren and his team will complement our existing team of over 50 consultants providing both domestic UK political strategy and Geopolitical analysis and advice.”