Four Communications acquires Insight Consulting Group

Independent integrated agency Four Communications Group (Four) has acquired public affairs and corporate communications specialist Insight Consulting Group (ICG).

ICG, which specialises in corporate policy advice, will rebrand to Four Public Affairs upon its move to Four’s London Bridge headquarters and merge with the existing public affairs team, which specialises in local government, regeneration, property and planning consultancy.

Lehal, who founded ICG in 2006, will become chief executive of the combined public affairs businesses.

Sarah Jones, currently a director at ICG and Ralph Scott, a practice director at Four, will both become deputy MDs of the new combined structure. Karen Alcock, the current public affairs MD at Four, will leave to pursue new opportunities in the spring.

Lehal said: “Insight was established to create innovative campaigns with a purpose and we’ve worked for some of the UK’s leading businesses, charities and pressure groups over the last decade. Our significant growth in revenue and staff numbers has shown that we are not a company that likes to stand still, which is why I am thrilled to be continuing our evolution as part of the Four Communications Group.

“As MD of Insight, I felt a strong sense of responsibility to find a partner agency that provides the best possible fit for our staff and clients. Four is an ambitious agency and we are very excited about what we can achieve together.”

ICG clients include Bristol-Myers Squibb, Learning Disability Voices, Local Government Association, Novartis, Paddy Power-Betfair, Pfizer and Time Inc.

The ICG acquisition is the sixth since Four successfully secured a £10m investment of equity finance from BGF (Business Growth Fund) in 2015 and is its 10th acquisition overall.