Former Royal PR consultant Jane Atkinson has quit Atkinson Courage
Communications, the agency she formed with Robin Courage 18 months ago,
to join Lowe Bell Consultants.
Atkinson, who resigned as media adviser to Diana, Princess of Wales in
July, six months into the pounds 35,000 a year contract, left Atkinson
Courage last Thursday. She starts her new job in January.
Her partner, Robin Cour-age stressed that the split was amicable. ‘We
were good friends and we still are,’ he said. He confirmed he had bought
the majority of Atkinson’s stake in the company, with holding company
the Beaufort Group taking the rest.
In a statement issued last week, Atkinson said: ‘My wish to pursue
strategic PR consultancy with high profile individuals has moved out of
line with the original ACC business concept and their plans for future
growth’. Later she told PR Week that she chose Lowe Bell because it
offered the opportunity to do more ‘strategic counselling and
consultancy work’.
She is the third member of Diana’s staff to be hired by Lowe Bell
Consultants chairman Sir Tim Bell. Diana’s former private secretary
Patrick Jephson and his secretary Nicky Cockell joined the agency
earlier this year.
Courage said there would be no client fall out from Atkinson’s
departure. Her role will be taken by David Charlton, who joined ACC in
March.
