News
LDC invests in Headland to fuel future growth plans
10 May 2021
LDC has made a minority investment in Headland, a London-based agency specialising in financial and corporate reputation, public affairs and campaigning.
The leading mid-market private equity firm will support Headland’s ambitious organic growth strategy, helping the company further broaden and deepen its consultancy capabilities and fulfil its objective to advise a broader range of clients on complex communications matters.
Headland has grown substantially since 2012. The business supported its clients through the pandemic in 2020 and increased revenues by 20%. Today the company employs 117 people and its clients include Accenture, ASOS, Danone, eBay, Future, Just Eat Takeaway.com, PepsiCo, Pret, Saga, Three UK, TikTok, UBS, Versus Arthritis and Watches of Switzerland.
LDC will work in partnership with Headland’s management team, led by Chris Salt and Dan Mines, to fuel their expansion plans. The investment was led by LDC’s David Andrews. The terms of the investment are undisclosed.
Dan Mines, Headland Managing Partner, said: “We are proud of the way in which Headland’s unique client service model has made such an impact in recent years. Our sustained performance and growing reputation have enabled us to build a superb platform, which will continue to allow us to deliver great work for clients. With LDC as our investment partner, today marks the start of a new, exciting adventure for our agency.”
Chris Salt, Headland CEO, said: “This is a pivotal moment in Headland’s development. We have had an incredible nine years, working with fantastic clients and attracting great people to Headland.”
We now welcome LDC as a partner with the right experience and expertise to support our future development. We see amazing possibilities ahead for our clients and our team. We want to continue to advise on interesting and challenging mandates, continue to hire the best people, continue to grow and continue to love what we do.”
David Andrews, Director at LDC in London, said: “The team at Headland has made a remarkable impact upon the communications market over the last few years. We are backing the management team’s vision and are excited to help them drive growth on the next stage of their journey.”
LDC has significant experience in the corporate communications sector. The private equity firm had a successful two-and-a-half-year partnership with reputation management consultancy Blue Rubicon in 2012.
During LDC’s partnership, Blue Rubicon increased fee income by 60% and created almost 100 new roles.
LDC was advised by JEGI CLARITY, DLA, BDO and Plural.
Headland was advised by Waypoint Partners and Lewis Silkin.