UK's College Group acquires PR People Consultancy to gain China foothold

Uhi Hui (许美珍), founder and CEO of PR People Consultancy, established the agency in 2004 in Hong Kong. The company has offices in Shanghai and Beijing. Clients include China Light & Power, Evian, Lotus Tour and Larry Jewellery.

Hui becomes a managing partner of College Group and will also join the Global Corporate Practice Board led by College Group managing partner Tim Fallon. PR People will work alongside and in partnership with College Hill’s existing financial and IR communications business in Hong Kong, under managing partner Anne Pang. The PR People brand name will still be used in the short term. 

Richard Nichols, chief executive of College Group, commented: “The expansion of College Group’s presence in China is a strategic move in our international growth plans and reflects the importance we place on this fast-growing, challenging and exciting part of the world."  

Hui told Campaign Asia-Pacific that the partnership with The College Group, which has a strong expertise in corporate branding in capital market and financial PR, could help to provide more comprehensive services and research resources to existing clients while also bringing in more international clients who want to get into the China market.

Hui has more than 15 years of industry experience. Prior to forming PR People, she worked for MS&L where she was director of the Corporate Services division. The clients she was responsible for included PricewaterhouseCoopers, First Data Corp, Western Union Financial Services, FPDSavills, CPA Australia, Hong Kong Wealth Management, P&G, Thunderbird and Philips. Hui helped the agency to open its Beijing office.

According to College Group’s website , the company has turnover of about US$65 million with 300 employees in 16 offices in Europe, Africa, Asia and the US. As reported by BrandRepublic on 10 September, College Group has established its first Middle East business with the acquisition of M:Communications' former Dubai-based business.