NEWGATE

Newgate Communications has been appointed to launch URICA, a new type of “supplier early payment” company. The team is led by Fergus Wylie supported by Jason Nisse and Alistair Kellie in London and John Mullin and James Walter in Edinburgh. URICA has launched initially in Scotland, with a region-by-region rollout planned to follow throughout the UK. The company recently received £20m of investment from institutional investors and the Government’s Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) to enable growth businesses to effectively pay their suppliers more quickly without additional cost, risk or debt. The company has been created by an extremely strong management team with many years’ experience in the financial services industry lead by Lindsay Whitelaw, CEO – a founding partner of Artemis Investment Management LLP.  

Newgate Communications, the fast-growing international integrated communications consultancy, today announced the signing of further network affiliations in Asia with Jet-Go Consulting Group, a leading public affairs firm in Taiwan, and with Corporate Reputation Group International, a corporate communications specialist in Macau.  The new affiliations follow the opening of Newgate’s first Asian office in Hong Kong in January, and further extend the group’s ability to provide its clients with support across multiple international markets.  Over the past year Newgate, a subsidiary of Porta Communications PLC, has been building a growing portfolio of regional and international offices, which already includes London, Edinburgh, Brussels, Frankfurt and Hong Kong.  Its affiliate network in Asia now covers Taiwan, Macau, South Korea and Vietnam.  

On 8 May 2013, the Queen set out the Government's legislative plans for the next year at the State Opening of Parliament. Following last week’s local election results, which were disappointing for the coalition parties, the Government has used today’s announcement to present a coherent message to demonstrate its resolve to turn the country around and that its legislative programme is focused on “backing people who work hard and want to get on in life”. Headline measures include a new Immigration Bill, which will place new curbs on access for recent migrants to public services and allow foreign criminals to be deported more easily. Other notable announcements include a National Insurance Contributions Bill, which cuts the cost of recruiting new employees for small businesses; a Deregulation Bill, to reduce the burden of unnecessary legislation on firms and a Pensions Bill to create a simple, flat rate pension that encourages saving. The Coalition Government is now entering its fourth year of the fixed five-year parliament and today’s speech is arguably the last of any real significance before the next general election (next year’s Queen’s Speech is likely to be solely focused on the coming election, by which time the position and focus of the respective coalition parties is likely hinder a serious and coherent legislative programme). Many commentators have suggested, however, that the coming year in Parliament will not be shaped by the legislation presented today, but instead by the debates focused around the Government’s forthcoming Spending Review and the pace of the UK and global economic recovery, as well as the continued debates over Britain’s place in the EU among the Conservative Party. Despite this, many of the measures announced today will have the potential to have longstanding significance for UK businesses and consumers. In particular, the proposed Bills on pensions and social care are likely to be seen as landmark reforms and will be subject to much scrutiny and debate over the next 12 months.   To see Newgate’s full analysis of the Queen’s Speech 2013, please visit the download section.  

N Brown, the FTSE250 retailer, has appointed Newgate Communications as its retained financial and corporate public relations adviser following a three way competitive pitch. N Brown is a leading multi-channel retailer headquartered in Manchester employing over 3.200 people.  The company focuses on niche markets which are poorly served on the high street, such as the plus size and more mature customer segments.  Online sales now represent over 53% of total revenue, with a growing international presence.    Its retail brands include Simply Be, Jacamo, Fashion World, JD Williams, Marisota, House of Bath, Figleaves, Gray & Osbourn and High and Mighty.   Newgate’s team will be led by Jonathan Clare and Fergus Wylie.  They will report to Alan White, CEO and Dean Moore, Finance Director.   In the summer Angela Spindler will join N Brown as CEO.  

The Biotech Growth Trust PLC, the UK’s best performing investment trust, has appointed Newgate Communications to advise it on financial and corporate communications.  The Biotech Growth Trust was launched in 1997, is managed by OrbiMed Capital LLC, the world’s largest independent healthcare fund manager and it is marketed and administered by Frostrow Capital LLP. The investment objective is to seek capital appreciation through investment in the worldwide biotechnology industry, principally by investing in emerging biotechnology companies.  

One of Newgate Communications' latest recruits has had a contribution published on the influential political blog, ConservativeHome, saying education reform will bridge the “empathy gap.”   

Yorkshire Building Society, the UK’s second largest building society, has handed its public affairs account to the newly created Newgate Communications, following a competitive pitch process.  The assignment will be led by Simon Nayyar, supported by colleagues Gareth Jones and Henry Groundes-Peace.  

The countdown to the independence referendum was kick-started by First Minister Alex Salmond when he revealed the date at the Scottish Parliament. Thursday, 18 September, 2014, has been announced as the date when those resident in Scotland will go to the Polls. The date for the vote, which is earlier than many had predicted, was contained in the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill formally lodged at Holyrood by Mr Salmond. It leaves 546 days for the campaigns to make their respective cases. The proposed legislation, which is expected to receive Royal Assent in December after passing through parliament, sets out how the referendum will work and lays down rules governing the conduct of the Yes and No campaigns. However, we will have to wait a further six months for the white paper that will outline how the SNP government envisages independence working. The key details include: • The date: Thursday, 18 September, 2014 • The question: Should Scotland be an independent country? • The referee: The Electoral Commission • Campaign spending limits: From £150,000 (the Greens) up to £1.3 million (the SNP) • Official campaign start date: 29 May, 2014 The timeline: 2013 21 March: Introduction and publication of the bill Early September: ‘Stage 1’ report on the bill published Mid-September: ‘Stage 1’ debate in the chamber on Referendum Bill Early October to mid-October: ‘Stage 2’ scrutiny of the bill takes place Mid-November: ‘Stage 3’ of the bill in the chamber December:  Royal Assent 2014 22-25 May: European elections 29 May: 16 weeks before referendum, beginning of formal campaign period, under which spending limits apply 18 September: Referendum date

On 20 March 2013, the Chancellor George Osborne delivered the coalition’s fourth Budget statement. The Chancellor claimed that it was “a Budget for people who realise there are no easy answers to problems built up over many years” and that the Government was “slowly but surely, fixing our country’s economic problems”. The Budget is arguably one of the most underwhelming in years. This is hardly surprising given the grim economic backdrop, and his accompanying admission of missed targets on economic growth and deficit reduction, falling receipts and retrenched spending.  GDP growth has been downgraded – yet again – by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) with a growth forecast of just 0.6 per cent for 2013 (which, given the predictive margin of error, could easily become negative growth). Although the OBR spared the Chancellor’s blushes by failing to predict a successive quarter of negative growth, there remains, on the basis of the Government’s own assessment, considerable practical scope for the economy to fall back into a dreaded ‘triple-dip recession’. There was more bad news on borrowing – with the OBR predicting that the Government’s promise to have debt falling as a proportion of national income would not now happen until 2017/18  – two years later than originally envisaged. Despite the news, the Chancellor maintained that the UK “must hold to the right track” and stressed that the best way of fixing the country’s economic problems is through a plan which combines monetary activism with fiscal responsibility and supply side reform. Osborne sought to set out a political narrative in his statement, designed to target swing voters, in which he showed that the Government is on the side of “people who aspire to work hard and get on” in what he defined as the distinctly Thatcherite-sounding “Aspiration Nation” which is clearly meant to chime with the aspirations of C1 and C2 voters, and potential UKIP switchers. As part of this, Osborne announced a series of headline measures, which included a new Employment Allowance to cut National Insurance bills for companies, a new scheme called ‘Help to Buy’ to help young people get onto the housing ladder and power a recovery in the house-building sector and a promise to increase the personal allowance on Income Tax to £10,000 by 2014 to help low earners. Other measures, clearly designed to show the Government’s support for hard pressed families, included a cut in beer duty and the scrapping of the proposed 3 pence rise in fuel duty and a very party political elimination of Gordon Brown’s 10p tax rate. As with the his past Budgets, Osborne stressed his measures remain fiscally neutral as a whole. His promise to boost infrastructure spending by £3 billion a year from 2015/16 has been balanced by a matching squeeze on government departments’ budgets and a new single tier pension will be combined with other changes which will result in much of the public sector paying more in National Insurance contributions. Given the news on growth and borrowing, the Official Opposition had plenty of ammunition with which to attack the Chancellor and the Government’s economic strategy. Ed Miliband highlighted that, in every Budget of the Coalition, “things are worse not better for the country” and described the statement as “a more of the same Budget from a downgraded Chancellor” – a pun he is at risk of over-using. Today’s Budget announcements are unlikely to bring the Chancellor’s backbench colleagues much cheer – let alone their constituents (aka voters). But a cynic might well observe that it serves the Chancellor well at this moment to paint a picture of storm clouds gathering and to justify a self-consciously austere and underwhelming Budget. Indeed, he has been successful in playing down expectations ahead of the this year’s statement and there is a realisation among those on the Government benches that the Chancellor can do little more at this stage – mid-term in Parliament – than stick to his plan and hope the economy begins to recover in time for the next election. Osborne will hope that in the final two Budgets of the parliament, he will be able to demonstrate – from this low economic base – rapidly building growth, momentum and opportunity in order to persuade voters that the economy is at last steaming towards recovery and that there’s only one way to vote in 2015.

Newgate Communications, the fast-growing international integrated communications consultancy, today announces the acquisition of the media relations and market intelligence firm, Cauldron Consulting Limited. Since its inception in 2002, Jain Castiau and Anne McMeehan, founder directors of Cauldron, have worked alongside a wide array of clients across the financial services sector - including BNP Paribas, Quilter, TISA (Tax Incentivised Savings Association) and Witan Investment Services.  

Newgate Communications is delighted to have been nominated as a finalist in the category of New Consultancy of the Year in the Holmes Report’s Consultancy of the Year awards. Newgate’s goal is to become one of the leading international public relations consultancies and it already has offices in London, Edinburgh, Brussels, Frankfurt and Hong Kong with well-advanced plans to open offices in Beijing and Singapore later this year.  

The European Pensions and Property Asset Release Group, EPPARG, has appointed the Brussels office of Newgate Communications to provide lobbying and secretariat services as from February 2013.  

  The European Union of Developers and House Builders (UEPC) has appointed the Brussels office of Newgate Communications to provide EU public affairs, lobbying and secretariat support as of January 2013.   Filiep Loosveldt, Managing Director of UEPC, commented: "Real estate development in different EU countries is more and more governed by European regulation. This will continue to be so in the future, due to global economic and financial crisis, EU budget restraints and economic governance, supra-regional environmental challenges (such as the impact of climate change,  resource scarcity) and last but not least, the need for affordable housing, especially in the fast growing regions, due to demographic changes and cross-border and interregional migrations. UEPC adopted its roadmap towards affordable housing policies in the EU in Stockholm in 2012. If UEPC wants to remain a key actor at EU level, the logical step is further professionalisation. I believe UEPC took a very important strategic decision in appointing Newgate Brussels in order to implement its vision, set out in the roadmap, to provide professional help for its members and to negotiate and cooperate with different EU institutions and other relevant federation partners active within the European Housing Forum (EHF) and European Construction Forum (ECF)."   Samantha Seewoosurrun, Managing Director of Newgate Brussels, said: “We are delighted to be working with UEPC. Developers and house builders represent, directly or indirectly, 10% of gross national product and employment in Europe. It is vital that their voice is heard in key policy debates on sustainability, land use and taxation, amongst others.”   Simon Nayyar, Managing Director, Public Affairs, Newgate Communications in London, commented: “We are delighted that our Brussels office has won such a prestigious account as UEPC. Under Samantha’s stewardship, we expect to expand and reinforce our Brussels offering significantly over the months to come.” -Ends-

Newgate Communications, the fast-growing international integrated communications consultancy, today announced the signing of a network affiliation with Access Communications, a leading corporate and financial communications firm in Seoul, South Korea.  The affiliation follows the recent opening of Newgate’s first Asian office, in Hong Kong and represents another stage in its plans for global growth and its ability to provide its clients with support across multiple international markets.  Over the past year Newgate, a subsidiary of Porta Communications PLC, has been building a growing portfolio of regional and international offices, which already includes London, Edinburgh, Brussels, Frankfurt and Hong Kong. Richard Barton, Managing Partner of Newgate Hong Kong, commented: “Our affiliation with the team at Access is an important development in our ability to serve our clients across a growing global footprint.  We have known Access’ leadership team of SS Lee, Carol Park and Jinsoo Kim, for almost ten years and have worked together on some extremely rewarding client mandates.” SS Lee, Chief Executive of Access, added, “Our affiliation with Newgate represents an important validation of our business and we look forward to working with the Newgate network and its clients in navigating the intricacies of the Korean market.” Over the coming months Newgate will also establish new operations in Beijing and Singapore.    

January-February 2013 Referendum Bill paving the way for vote in autumn 2014 introduced to parliament.   February 2013 Electoral Commission gives its verdict on the wording of the question: "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?"   February-June 2013 Scottish Parliament scrutiny of Referendum Bill.   April 2013 Scottish Labour unveils interim report on future of devolution at party conference in Inverness. Scottish Labour's own referendum campaign, under Anas Sarwar, expected to be launched by then.   September 2013 Bill passed by MSPs.   October 2013 Bill receives Royal Assent.   November 2013 SNP Government publishes its detailed blueprint for an independent Scotland in eagerly anticipated white paper.   October- November 2013 The Electoral Commission's interim report on preparations to hold the vote.     For more information and analysis please contact: Newgate Communications John Mullin, Managing Director T: 0131 524 9546 E: John.Mullin@newgatecomms.com  

Newgate Communications, the fast-growing international integrated communications consultancy, today announced the opening of its first Asian office, in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong office, which has been established by twelve-year Asia veteran Richard Barton, the former Asia Managing Partner of Kreab Gavin Anderson, represents the latest stage in Newgate’s plans for global growth and its ability to provide its clients with support across multiple international markets.  Over the past year Newgate, a subsidiary of Porta Communications PLC, has been building a growing portfolio of regional and international offices, which already includes London, Edinburgh, Brussels and Frankfurt. Newgate’s opening in Hong Kong is the first step in a broader build-out of its Asia operations, which will shortly include offices in Beijing and Singapore. Richard Barton, Managing Partner of Newgate Hong Kong, commented: “To join Newgate at the start of the rapid development of its international network is an unique opportunity.  As Western companies continue to operate, invest and raise capital in Asia, and Asian businesses rapidly develop their global expansion plans, Newgate is well placed to advise clients across multiple geographies on a broad array of complex communications issues. “Over the coming months we will also establish new operations in Beijing and Singapore and are actively recruiting corporate and financial communications and public affairs specialists at all levels across the three markets.” Barton is joined by another former colleague, Grace Zhang, as a Partner in Hong Kong. Jonathan Clare, Chairman of Newgate Communications, said, “Hong Kong is an important bridgehead to the Greater China and broader Asian markets and marks a significant development for Newgate and its clients.  Richard has built a strong reputation for giving top quality client advice and building businesses over his years in Asia and we now look forward to establishing one of the leading networks in the region.”  

On 5 December 2012, the Chancellor George Osborne delivered the Autumn Statement to Parliament. Newgate has produced a short summary of the the Chancellor's Statement, covering key announcements on the UK's economic outlook as well as key measures on taxation, public spending and enterprise intiatives.  If you need further details about any of the Chancellor’s announcements, please do contact us.  

On 1 December 2012, Mullin Consultancy Ltd officially becomes part of Newgate Communications, the London headquartered integrated communications agency and subsidiary of Porta Communications plc. Mullin Consultancy Ltd (formerly trading as Mullin Magowan) will in future trade under the name of Newgate Communications. This announcement represents the latest stage in Newgate’s plans for global growth and its ability to provide its clients with support wherever they need it.  It also demonstrates the company’s faith in a Scottish economy that can deliver dividends for companies that are willing to invest. Mullin Consultancy Ltd has been officially trading since February 2012, headed up by John Mullin, a former Director of Citigate Dewe Rogerson. Mr Mullin will become Managing Director of the Scottish office of Newgate Communications. The changes will not alter the former company’s operational processes, nor will it impact staff members or clients.  The company will continue to operate out of 7/9 North St David Street, Edinburgh. Since its inception, Mullin Consultancy Ltd has built an impressive portfolio of clients and a reputation for providing high quality, professional PR and Public Affairs services. Under Newgate Communications, the company will seek to build on its current offering to become a fully integrated communications agency.  A greater presence and prominence in local, national and international markets will also enable the Scottish office to provide a global reach to its existing clients and prospects. Newgate is building a growing portfolio of regional and international offices, which including presence in London, Brussels and Frankfurt. John Mullin, Managing Director of Newgate Communications in Scotland comments: “I am delighted to announce this move. This development creates the opportunity for much quicker business growth and to build on the business strategy begun by Mullin Consultancy Ltd. From the point of view of all of our clients, it also gives us the ability to call upon a wider range of services and the expertise and experience vested in a larger team of accomplished communications professionals”. Simon Nayyar, Managing Director of Newgate’s Public Affairs businesses, comments: “John is an exceptionally experienced and accomplished communications performer whom I’ve been fortunate to know and work with over many years. I am thrilled that we shall be working closely together again in order to build a business of outstanding value and reputation.”

Big Society Capital, the world’s first social investment bank, has hired Newgate Communications as PR and Public Affairs advisors. The Account will be led by Newgate directors Jason Nisse and Andrew Robinson. Big Society Capital was launched by Prime Minister David Cameron in April 2012 to be the cornerstone investor and develop the market infrastructure for the emerging UK Social Investment Market. Newgate has a mandate to assist Big Society Capital in in support of its business strategy, and to assist with communications around the creation of the market itself. Alastair Ballantyne, Head of Communications for Big Society Capital said: “Big Society Capital is developing a strong, diverse and sustainable social investment market in the UK.  Our challenge is to reach out  and influence a diverse range of stakeholders – from social and charitable organisations, to local government and financial audiences. Newgate proved itself to be the right partner for us, displaying an integrated approach with strong policy and PR expertise. ”    

Former Euro RSCG / Havas board director Andrew Robinson has joined the team at Newgate Communications. Over the past six years Robinson has served as a board director at Havas London (formerly Euro RSCG) running a team servicing a range of UK and international clients. Newgate, established at the end of 2011 under the leadership of former Citigate Dewe Rogerson CEO Jonathan Clare, is fast establishing itself as a global, integrated communications consultancy. The company has wholly owned offices in London, Edinburgh, Brussels, Frankfurt. Clare commented: ‘Andrew is one of the most experienced and recognised PR professionals in the field of international corporate communications. His insight as a senior practitioner and his cross-border client experience at Havas PR will be of immense value to both Newgate and its clients as we continue to expand our international network and offering.’ Before joining Havas (then known as  Biss Lancaster) in 2006, Robinson spent four years at Citigate Dewe Rogerson in London and five years at Gavin Anderson & Company in Hong Kong. Robinson added: ‘My time at Havas was very rewarding and I had the privilege of working with some talented people, but Newgate is my big opportunity to be at the start of building a powerful force in international communications.” Newgate is owned by Porta Communications, the marcoms vehicle established by Citigate founder David Wright.    

Motive Television PLC (“Motive”), the AIM-listed digital TV technology developer, is appointing Newgate Communications as its financial PR advisor. The team at Newgate, led by Jason Nisse, will work with Motive from 1 January to help promote the business to its key financial audiences in the United Kingdom. Motive is the developer of the Television Anytime Anywhere platform that uses patented technology to enable broadcasters and pay TV operators to generate higher revenues by better utilizing their existing assets without having to invest in new infrastructure.  

It’s been less than a year since we started Newgate Communications.   We’ve outgrown our original offices and today we have moved to:  5th Floor 33 King William Street London EC4R 9AS All our telephone numbers and email addresses will remain the same. We hope to welcome you to our new offices soon.

Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST) Limited, the international maritime protection company, has appointed Newgate Communications to undertake a corporate reputation programme encompassing corporate public relations and public policy. MAST was established in 2005 and provides specialist global security services for the maritime community from its headquarters in Malta. Services include: providing armed protection teams for commercial ships and yachts; hijack negotiation for ship operators and their insurers; crisis response; maritime safety and security training; explosive ordnance disposal and the design and installation of specialist super-yacht security system. MAST Ltd. is the latest in a series of account wins that Newgate has secured since January 2012. These include, amongst others: the international banking group, Investec; global insulation giant, Rockwool; support services company, May Gurney; wealth managers, SCM Private and Tissue Regenix, the AIM-listed regenerative medical devices company.    

Tissue Regenix Group, the AIM-listed regenerative medical devices company, has appointed Newgate Communications to undertake a corporate reputation programme encompassing financial and corporate public relations, including analyst relations, public policy and social media advisory. Tissue Regenix was established in 2006 to commercialise academic research from the University of Leeds in the field of tissue decellularisation. . The company, which floated on AIM in 2010, has pioneered its patented dCELL® technology which can swap worn out or damaged body parts with replacements taken from a human donor or animal. The potential applications of this process address many critical clinical needs such as vascular disease, heart valve replacement and knee repair. "We are delighted to have been chosen by a growing British company that has world-beating technology and products. Tissue Regenix recognises that to continue the successful commercialisation of its technology and products it needs to be able to communicate the potential of its technology .which will be able to address some widespread medical conditions much more effectively and efficiently, to a range of audiences from the City to clinicians and is compelling enough to interest the man and woman on the street", said Deborah Saw, Managing Director of Newgate Communications. Antony Odell, Managing Director of Tissue Regenix commented, " I saw several agencies and Newgate impressed me immediately with its fresh thinking and its recognition that to ensure under-­‐ standing of the power of our technology we have to have an integrated approach to our communications. The Newgate team convinced me that they had the breadth of strategic thinking and skills to do just that."  

Newgate Communications, the international communications consultancy of Porta Communications plc announces that since the beginning of the year it has won business equivalent to an annualised fee income of £1.2M. Clients secured over this period include: the international banking group, Investec; global insulation giant, Rockwool; support services company, May Gurney; wealth managers, SCM Private and Jordan International Bank as well as continuing to provide strategic communications advice to a leading FTSE 100 company.