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Walbrook PR, which provides high quality Financial PR and Investor Relations advice to Small Cap and AIM listed companies, has agreed a merger with Winningtons Financial Public Relations Ltd. ("Winningtons") that will see Walbrook PR ("Walbrook") become the second largest Financial PR Adviser by number of AIM listed clients.

Background on Winningtons PR

The owners of Winningtons, Tom Cooper and Paul Vann, will join the Walbrook team and bring over 30 years of Financial PR experience to the enlarged group. Tom started his career in Banking before moving into Financial PR and purchasing a 50% stake in Winningtons in 2006. Paul Vann began his City career in 1979 in Stockbroking, latterly in Corporate Finance, before moving into Financial PR in the late 80s. Paul worked for several years at Bell Pottinger before moving to Binns & Co PR, where he was a Director alongside Walbrook founder Paul McManus. Tom and Paul have many years' experience advising UK listed companies, particularly at IPO, as well as across acquisitions, disposals, secondary fundraisings and shareholder restructurings. They have built a well-respected Financial PR firm offering high quality strategic financial communications advice to small and mid-cap growth companies. The business is profitable and growing with strong relationships with the financial media, equity research and investment community.

Merger rationale

Walbrook PR has consistently been one of the best performing Financial PR advisers focussed on smaller growing publically listed companies since the business was founded in 2009 by Paul McManus. Walbrook has a singular focus on offering strategic advice to small-cap and AIM listed companies on their communications to the capital markets. The Walbrook team utilise their extensive network of financial journalists, sell-side investment analysts and fund managers, as well extending its IR services to investor classes beyond the Institutional Investors which are traditionally served by the investment banking community.

The merger with Winningtons is aligned with Walbrook's growth strategy and significantly increases the level of expertise within the enlarged group, enabling Walbrook to continue to deliver the highest possible services and advice to existing clients, as well as providing additional capacity for further profitable growth.

Paul McManus, Managing Director of Walbrook PR, commented:

"Tom and Paul have developed a well-regarded Financial PR business with a number of very strong working relationships, both in the City and with the network of professionals in and around the South West of England. The merger marks our sixth anniversary with a transaction that further expands our capacity and which brings on board two very well respected and likeable PR professionals. I know that they will be a great asset to the team."

Tom Cooper, Director of Winningtons, added:

"We have found a team at Walbrook who shares our philosophy around client care and has ambitions to further grow an already successful practice. I think it speaks volumes that the business should find itself nearing the top of the AIM league tables in a short six years."