BGF injects £10m into Four Communications

Following completion of the deal, Four Communications will undertake an international buy-and-build growth strategy with a specific focus on the UK, the Middle East and south-east Asia.

The media agency has made a number of acquisitions since 2010, most recently bolting on MSA Media in May 2015. Other acquisitions include BGB in 2011, Colman Getty in 2012, Kinross & Render in 2013 and Consolidated PR in 2014.

BGF has a track record of investing in media and communications agencies. In January 2015 it invested £6m in another London-based company, Zone, in exchange for a minority stake.

Debt
In addition to the funding round, Four Communications has also secured a debt facility arranged by HSBC.

Company
Four Communications was founded in 2001 and offers media and marketing services including public relations, event management, advertising and branding. It has 600 clients including Etihad Airways, The Man Booker Prizes, Sotheby’s International Realty and Intercontinental Hotels Group.

The agency has a headcount of 200, with additional offices in Edinburgh, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Its turnover has increased from £15m in 2010 to around £32m in 2014.

People
BGF investor Chris Hodges will take a seat on the Four Communications board as part of the deal. George Tsangarides and Thomas McDonnell also worked on the transaction for BGF. Nan Williams is chief executive of Four Communications. 

Advisers
Equity – WY Partners (Financial due diligence); Charles Russell Speechlys (Legal).
Company – Ingenious Corporate Finance (Corporate finance); Grant Thornton (Corporate finance); Lewis Silkin (Legal).

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• Topics
• Expansion
• UK / Ireland
• Media
• United Kingdom
• BGF (Business Growth Fund)