Ex-Goverment pair Oliver Hickson and Caroline Wright in start-ups

Oliver Hickson, previously COI PR and client director, has launched Hickson Communications, specialising in public sector, sport and consumer PR.

Hickson said: 'There is a demand from agencies to be well positioned to work with the public sector, as there is an expectation that the current downturn in public sector comms will not last more than another 12 months.'

He has already picked up three clients.

In addition, former Department for Education director of comms Caroline Wright is launching a comms consultancy, having taken voluntary redundancy.

It is understood that Wright's new agency will specialise in communicating with women.