The London-based communications firm’s acquisition is its first move since private equity group LDC reinvested in the business last year.

London-based communications firm Headland has acquired Bladonmore, a digital, brand and content consultancy, in a move aimed at expanding its digital capabilities globally as clients increasingly demand integrated reputation management services.

The deal is Headland’s first transaction since LDC, the private-equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, reinvested in the business last year. "When LDC reinvested, we developed a new strategy to take a broader offer to clients," said Suzanne Morris, chief operating officer at Headland. "Clients are dealing with increasingly complex stakeholder landscapes, heightened scrutiny and a rapidly changing digital environment, and key to that broader offer is digital."

Morris said Bladonmore brings "a much deeper, broader digital offer" with particular strengths in film and content production, allowing Headland to deliver "bigger and more strategic digital mandates." Both firms are exploring the use of artificial intelligence to enhance their digital and content capabilities, though Morris said this was not a driving factor in the acquisition.

Bladonmore CEO Richard Carpenter described the transaction as a growth story for his firm. "Headland gives us the opportunity to offer a wider platform of services to clients," he said, adding that the company will retain its name and offices while collaborating with Headland where appropriate.

Carpenter also claimed that the deal strengthens Bladonmore’s ability to respond to market demand for integrated communications offerings. “There’s a desire for clients to work with a single partner that can provide both strategic advice and digital delivery.”

Bladonmore's international presence, including an office in New York and active engagement in the US private-capital market, was also a factor in the acquisition.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Morris confirmed that Headland had acquired the business in full.

The acquisition is symptomatic of a broader trend, as corporate consultancies clamour into the digital communications space to meet client expectations. In September, global marketing consultancy TEAM LEWIS bought UK corporate communications firm Instinctif. In March, tech-focused PR firm CCGroup was acquired by communications consultancy The Hoffman Agency.