Strakan shortlists agencies for help with IPO planning

The five-year-old company has already held talks with up to ten financial PR consultancies for the business and has drawn up a shortlist of potentials to help prepare the firm for its IPO.

Strakan head of corporate communications David Watt, while pitching this summer, said the firm would look to appoint officially four months ahead of the flotation date, which is set for spring next year.

'I've drawn up a shortlist of agencies who will be seen again in the summer, with a view to appointing by the end of the year,' said Watt.

He added: 'We are going to wait until the markets are ready to receive us and then go for it.'

Strakan confirmed it had appointed Credit Suisse First Boston as financial adviser for the stock market listing.

The Galashiels-based company already retains James Harbison & Co in Edinburgh for general external communications support.