THE UK's largest public affairs agency Cicero is set to join AMO, a network of communications firms owned by or affiliated to Parisbased media giant Havas. Cicero, which is currently based in the City, will move into Havas' Kings Cross offices this weekend.

As part of the agreement Cicero, which was founded by well-known Square Mile lobbyist Iain Anderson and chief executive Jeremy Swan in 2001, will work closely alongside fellow PR giant Maitland.

City-watchers expect a formal deal to be announced within weeks, with Havas potentially acquiring a controlling stake in Cicero.

"This agreement ensures we will stay ahead of the curve," said Anderson. "We will combine our world-class services to create the leading strategic communications offer and access the specialisms, expertise and creativity of both the AMO and the Havas networks."

The tie-up marks a beefing up of public affairs expertise for AMO, which is active in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as well as financial PR.

Last year the group's US lobbying division Abernathy Macgregor opened a government affairs office in Washington in a bid to capitalise on booming demand.

"We are delighted to welcome Cicero into AMO's growing global network and we all look forward to working with Iain and Jeremy," said AMO chairman Angus Maitland.

AMO operates in 11 countries, and advised on almost 60 M&A deals worth over €230bn (£195bn) in the first half of 2019. Cicero will now rebrand to Cicero/AMO.

(c) 2020 City A.M., source Newspaper