Member Article

Four Communications acquires Welsh PR and design agency

Four Communications Group, has acquired the Welsh market leading PR and design agency, Francis Balsom Associates Ltd (FBA).

The London integrated communications agency has acquired a 100 per cent equity stake in the Welsh agency. 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.

This acquisition is the second announced by Four since it successfully secured a £10m investment of equity finance from BGF (Business Growth Fund).

As part of the investment, Four also secured an additional debt facility from HSBC. Last month Four 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 successfully integrated into the group. The company continues to explore further acquisitions.

Four Communications Group chief executive Nan Williams said: “The acquisition of FBA is the third acquisition this year for the Four Communications Group. As well as our phenomenal organic growth since 2001, we are committed to an intelligent acquisition programme of top notch independent companies which are leaders in their field.

“The energy, heritage and passion of FBA makes it one of the most impressive independent consultancies in Wales today. We are proud that it will become part of our Four family and thrilled to welcome the exceptional leaders of FBA management to our senior management team.

“Born and brought up in Wales, I am also particularly pleased to be able to invest in Wales and see major opportunities ahead for the Welsh creative economy.”

Meilyr Ceredig , managing director of FBA added: “We wanted to merge with Four because the people there have the same commitment to their clients and their people as we have at FBA. It also means that we can offer clients in Wales a wider UK and international reach with more sector specialisms.

“As Four Cymru, we will be able to provide both staff and clients with a much broader, deeper service. As part of an integrated, but still independent group, we can now offer more and new services like digital, advertising and media buying.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .