Speechly Bircham advised StockWell group, a leading strategic communications consultancy, on its merger with R Holloway & Associates Limited, an international reputation management firm.

The transaction combines two similar-sized advisory firms with extensive boardroom experience, a common focus on reputation management and international reach and perspective. The enlarged firm currently advises 40+ clients in a dozen countries.

StockWell was founded in 2010 by Tim Burt and Philip Gawith and has rapidly established a strong reputation as a leader in the provision of trusted advice to companies around the world, working on some of the most high-profile mandates to have arisen during the period.

The new firm will be led by Managing Partners Tim Burt, Philip Gawith and Richard Holloway who will head a team of 20 consultants with proven strength and depth in reputation management; boardroom strategic communications counsel; financial and transaction communications; media relations (analogue, digital and social); corporate communications; crisis management; and litigation support.

StockWell's three Managing Partners will own a combined majority stake in the enlarged StockWell group. Iceni Capital Partners, StockWell's original financial backers, will be a significant minority shareholder in the firm and Julian Hanson-Smith, a Partner at Iceni, will continue in the role of Chairman at the new firm.

The Speechlys team was led by corporate partner Andrew Clarke, assisted by corporate associate Holly Sage, tax associate Rob Birchall, property associate Sarah Morley and employment associate Ed Hopkins.  Adams & Remers LLP advised Richard Holloway on the deal.

Commenting on the deal Andrew Clarke said. "Having previously worked with Iceni on their initial investment in StockWell, we are extremely pleased to have worked on this strategic merger which sees the combination of two leading communications firms under the StockWell brand."

Julian Hanson-Smith said: "This transaction creates a compelling new force in the communications advisory world and we are delighted to be supporting the continued growth of StockWell. The advice provided by Andrew and his colleagues at Speechly Bircham was critical in bringing the many aspects of this deal to a timely and satisfactory close."

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