Public Sector: Investment body calls in FH to attract firms to UK

Through Business Link centres, UKTI also provides advice and training for UK businesses, such as the 'passport to export' scheme.

FH will target business titles and vertical press in the UKTI's industry sectors, including IT, telecoms, pharma, biotechnology, environmental technology and chemicals.

The campaign will also see UKTI team up with third-party inward investment bodies, such as regional development agencies. FH will also help to co-ordinate the agency's global PR network, which was put in place last year.

UKTI agencies include Burson-Marsteller in the US and Germany, Fleishman-Hillard in Canada and Japan, and Hill & Knowlton in Asia-Pacific.

UKTI was created in October 2003 by the merger of Trade Partners UK, which retained GCI, and British Trade International, which retained Prowse & Co.

The body subsequently merged the two PR briefs and FH beat both incumbents, as well as Blue Rubicon and Edelman, to win the account.

FH director Suzanne Hitchcock will lead the account, reporting to Peter McDermott, UKTI head of marketing and communications.

Over their 25 years of operation, investment agencies have assisted more than 20,000 companies.

UKTI reports to the Department for Trade and Industry and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.