Shares in SEC Newgate S.p.A., a newly created strategic global communications firm began trading on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM).

The result of the merger of European communications firm SEC with Porta, the parent company of the award-winning Newgate Communications, SEC Newgate will offer clients a full suite of research-backed strategic communications and advocacy services across its extensive network.

SEC Newgate is being positioned as specialists in transformational communications offering global excellence through local experts.

The new SEC Newgate team comprises circa 600 people working out of 30 offices, in 14 countries, across four continents. Its comprehensive range of integrated services include public affairs and advocacy, financial and corporate communications, digital insights, research, crisis management and consumer PR.

With immediate effect, cross-border client projects will now be managed under the SEC Newgate brand whilst domestic projects will continue to be delivered under the local agency brand. 

Fiorenzo Tagliabue, group chief executive, says, “Today marks a key milestone in the group’s history. SEC Newgate is now among the world’s top 30 communications groups, offering global excellence and local expertise with the scale to deliver seamless services across our extensive, owned footprint.  

“We look forward to the hard work ahead that will be matched by our ambitions to seize the significant opportunity we believe exists for our team, clients and shareholders.  Our focus will be on promoting our distinctive business model and positioning ourselves as the industry’s preferred partner committed to building brands and protecting reputations, managing the complexity of stakeholder relations, and boosting our clients’ businesses.”

The change of company name to SEC Newgate S.p.A took effect from 5 September.