Merger sees Manchester agency join wider network

Communications and advocacy agencies Newgate Communications, based in Manchester, and London’s Newington Communications have merged and rebranded as SEC Newgate UK.

Newgate and Newington were the two largest UK agencies of SEC Newgate S.p.A.

The combined entity now has 130 staff and teams across the UK including Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Cardiff, in addition to its London headquarters.

The agency’s current client roster in the North West includes Vistry Partnerships, Muse Developments and Momentum Global Investment Management, which recently acquired Liverpool-based Seneca Investment Managers.

The agency is also advising on some major renewable energy projects across the North, and advising companies across sectors including electric vehicles, legal and technology.

SEC Newgate UK provides strategic, integrated consultancy across corporate and financial communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and research. It also owns consumer PR agency Publicasity, which is to retain its own brand.

By the end of this year it is intended that all agencies across the SEC Newgate group will transition to the SEC Newgate brand.

This will enable advice to be delivered under one brand by more than 600 professionals across six continents, providing clients with around the clock counsel and support, implementing campaigns locally, nationally and internationally.

As part of the merger, SEC Newgate is increasing its stake in Newington from 60% to 100% and the business and assets of Newington have been transferred to SEC Newgate UK Ltd. Newington chief executive Mark Glover becomes chairman of SEC Newgate UK.

Emma Kane, chief executive of SEC Newgate UK and deputy group CEO, said: “We’ve all learnt lots during the pandemic, not least the importance of community and local knowledge, which is why we are continuing to invest in and grow our UK-wide network of offices.

“The marriage of Newgate and Newington creates a fully integrated service across communications, advocacy and research, all under one P&L. Our new brand reflects our strong local roots, global reach and true entrepreneurial spirit.

“This is great news for our talented team of people and the organisations we partner with as our clients.”

Ian Morris, director in SEC Newgate UK’s Manchester office, said: “This merger is great news for us in the North West market and gives us a much deeper pool of talent to service clients.”