The firm will will provide strategic advisory services to help organisations build sustainable performance and value through aligning their purpose and strategy. It will also help organisations to protect and develop their reputations. By building on the expertise of its founding partners and underpinning their services with a data and evidence-based approach.
The initial partners of the new firm are James Acheson-Gray, who resigned as APCO Worldwide's UK chief in November, Jenny Scott and Matt Young. Apella will be chaired by Julian Hanson Smith, and Sarika Haggipavlou will be chief operating officer. Other partners and senior executives will join in the coming months when current employment restrictions allow.
Jenny Scott, founding partner, said: "Our focus is on organisational purpose. In a world of constant disruption, purpose provides the thread that drives strategy, which, when well executed, differentiates and generates exceptional reputations. We are a senior team providing insightful, actionable advice based on robust evidence."
The co-founders have worked for and advised some of the world’s largest companies and organisations including Bank of England, Lockheed Martin and Santander. They have extensive experience as consultants and as in-house communications professionals. "Our clients will be those seeking strategic advice from advisors who have proven expertise in building exceptional reputations," added founding partner Matt Young.
Apella will launch initially in the UK before expanding to other markets. The company has secured funding from Iceni Capital, the private equity firm that previously backed the formation of StockWell Communications in 2010.
