LONDON: Public Policy Holding Company, Inc. (AIM: PPHC), a leading government relations and public affairs group, has announced the acquisition of TrailRunner International LLC, a global communications advisory firm based in Texas. The $33 million transaction, finalized on January 24, 2025, is expected to be immediately accretive to PPHC’s earnings.
The acquisition will enhance PPHC’s capabilities in strategic communications, including corporate affairs, financial communications, crisis communications, litigation communications, and reputation management.
This move aligns with PPHC’s strategy to broaden its geographic reach and service offerings, with TrailRunner’s offices in Dallas/Fort Worth, New York, Nashville, Northern California, London, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai.
PPHC’s CEO, Stewart Hall, emphasized the immediate value to existing and prospective clients as the acquisition strengthens the company’s presence in key business centers across the US and enhances its international footprint.
Founded in 2016 by Executive Chairman Jim Wilkinson, TrailRunner has approximately 80 employees and a strong track record of serving Fortune 500 companies and global institutions. The firm is on track to achieve estimated unaudited net revenues of $25.2 million and a profit before tax of $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The acquisition will also include TrailRunner Sports, a leading sports advisory practice, further diversifying PPHC’s offerings in the high-growth sports sector.
PPHC’s Capital Markets Event is scheduled for January 30, 2025, at the London Stock Exchange, where further updates on the group’s capital allocation policy aimed at accelerating Total Shareholder Returns will be provided.
Completion of the acquisition is subject to certain conditions, expected to be satisfied by April 1, 2025. This marks PPHC’s fifth significant acquisition since its IPO in 2021 and is part of its ongoing commitment to executing a growth strategy through mergers and acquisitions.
“The acquisition of TrailRunner entrenches our market-leading US position and establishes us as a truly global strategic communications group,” Hall said. “By combining TrailRunner’s expertise with our existing capabilities, we create immediate value for clients across all markets.”
Wilkinson added, “Given the collision of factors like corporate reputation, government relations, finance, crisis, litigation, and sports, PPHC is the ideal partner to drive TrailRunner’s future international growth.”