Haslimann Taylor deputy Kent set to whistle a new tune

THE former deputy managing director of Haslimann Taylor has left the Sutton Coldfield PR agency to set up a new venture.

Sarah Kent has left the company after 13 years to launch new PR consultancy, Whistle PR. The agency will provide a comprehensive range of public relations services to national and regional clients in both consumer and business-to-business sectors.

The agency, which is based in Fort Dunlop, is owned by Emerge, a full service marketing and communications group that has offices in Bournemouth, London, Reigate, Edinburgh and Manchester as well as the Custard Factory in Birmingham.

Ms Kent, who is managing director, said: “I loved my time at HT, but I felt that it was finally time to move and on and lose the ‘deputy’ from my title. The opportunity to build a brand new PR consultancy from scratch really appealed to me and I have a clear vision for Whistle.

“Our focus will be on delivering strategic consultancy and stand-out creativity to provide tangible business benefit.  Marketing departments are under an enormous amount of pressure and are looking to work with senior PR consultants who understand their brand and aren’t afraid to push the boundaries.

“The growth of digital communications and social media has created overlap between marketing disciplines and clients are increasingly looking for a more integrated approach. Being part of the Emerge Group allows us to offer that whilst still retaining our own independence, flexibility and culture.”

The company will deliver bespoke PR programmes for clients including media relations, crisis communications, corporate responsibility, community engagement, event management and digital PR. As well as working on a retained and project basis, Whistle will also provide a one-off PR audit and consultancy service for in-house teams and SMEs.

Matt Fleming, founding director of the Emerge Group, said: “The Emerge vision is based on combining best in class consultancies to provide clients with a truly integrated offering. PR was the missing piece of that jigsaw.

“We always wanted to create a stand-alone consultancy rather than go down the route of some of our competitors and have PR as a ‘bolt-on’ service. Securing someone of Sarah’s calibre to head up the new business is a real coup.”