Two of the best-known communications directors in Great Britain have resigned from their roles to set up a London-based agency.
Paddy Harverson, communications secretary at Clarence House, and DJ Collins, VP of public policy and communications for Google EMEA, are looking to advise corporate clients and high net-worth individuals.
Harverson and Collins will launch the yet-to-be-named consultancy next spring, after serving out their respective notice periods, which are believed to be six months.
Harverson, who has just turned 50, is understood to be keen on a discreet, low-key consultancy that will advise public figures in the post-Leveson era. After nearly nine years protecting the reputations of Princes Charles, William, and Harry – and previously, four years helping Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United – he is well-placed for such a role.
The Leveson Inquiry is a government investigation into the phone hacking scandal that has rocked the British press establishment in the past two years.
Collins, 41, will bring equal experience from the corporate and political worlds. He has been with Google since 2006. Before that, he worked in Weber Shandwick's corporate and public affairs practice. A close friend of British Labour Party heavyweight David Miliband, Collins is well-connected in New Labour circles.
No other consultants are expected to join the agency before launch.
Both Harverson and Collins were featured on PRWeek UK's 2012 list of top 10 operators in the UK, with Harverson named PR Professional of the Year in 2011.
This article originally appeared on the website of PRWeek UK, the sister publication of PRWeek at Haymarket Media.
