Day: 10 February 2026

Charity mergers fall 11% as economic uncertainty dampens deal activity

Stuart Mitchell

Mergers in the charity sector fell 11% last year from a record high in 2024 as economic uncertainty took hold, according to analysis of Charity Commission data* by leading audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK. The number of charities recording mergers declined from 142 in 2024 to 126 in 2025. There are over 171,000 registered charities in the UK**, suggesting there’s scope for further consolidation in the sector, particularly where two or more charities are looking for economies of scale, and also have shared goals. Hannah Catchpool, partner and…

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University of Westminster organises first ever climate assembly at a UK university

Stuart Mitchell

The University of Westminster is launching the UK’s first university-based citizens’ assembly on climate, bringing together a representative group from its community to agree on the future direction of the University’s climate action. Climate assemblies bring together a diverse group of everyday people selected by democratic lottery to learn, deliberate and make recommendations on aspects of the climate crisis, according to The Knowledge Network on Climate Assemblies (KNOCA). The innovative decision-making process at the University of Westminster Climate Assembly (UWCA) will consist of six sessions between January and March and…

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CIPR calls for transparency over Mandelson lobbying links

Stuart Mitchell

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has called for the immediate release of full transparency information relating to Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm and its role in securing government contracts for Palantir, warning that the current lobbying system is “failing the public”. The call follows The Guardian reporting that Global Counsel, the firm co-founded by Mandelson, may have been involved in the awarding of public contracts to Palantir after helping to arrange a meeting between the company’s chief executive and the prime minister, Keir Starmer. Global Counsel is registered with…

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Purple Tree Communications Becomes First Agency to Achieve PRCA CMS Go Accreditation

Stuart Mitchell

Purple Tree Communications, a female-founded, independent PR agency, has become the first agency in the UK to be awarded the PRCA CMS Go accreditation, a newly launched best-practice standard developed specifically for small agencies. The Communication Management Standard (CMS) is the only globally recognised best-practice accreditation for PR and communications agencies. Developed by the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), CMS assesses agencies across nine key areas, including Leadership and Communication, Business Planning, Financial Management, Client Satisfaction, People Management, Campaign Delivery, and Equity. In 2025, the PRCA introduced CMS Go,…

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IPAi Forum to help agencies navigate the fast-moving world of Generative AI

Stuart Mitchell

The IPA has launched IPAi Forum, a new, free thought-leadership platform designed to help advertising agencies navigate the fast-moving and increasingly complex world of Generative AI and practical AI deployment. IPAi Forum cuts through the AI hype to provide grounded, real-world insight into where AI is adding genuine value, how agencies are deploying it today and what pitfalls to avoid. It also explores what comes next. Alongside this, the Forum supports agencies in building the skills and capabilities the industry needs, with practical guidance on training, legal and regulatory considerations,…

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