Public Policy Holding Company, Inc. (PPHC), an American headquartered government relations and public affairs group, has announced its binding agreement to acquire TrailRunner International, marking a major expansion of the Group’s capabilities into strategic and financial communications.
The deal, set to close by 1 April 2025, represents PPHC’s fifth significant acquisition since its 2021 IPO and establishes the Group as a truly global player in strategic communications services. Founded in 2016, TrailRunner adds over 80 full-time professionals across eight global offices to PPHC’s network. The acquisition significantly establishes key new capabilities in Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai.
“The acquisition of TrailRunner marks a transformational moment for PPHC as we simultaneously deepen our U.S. position and establish ourselves as a truly global strategic communications group,” said Stewart Hall, CEO of PPHC. “This expansion significantly advances our strategy of building the world’s most comprehensive provider of government relations and corporate communications services.”
TrailRunner’s lengthy roster of clients adds to PPHC’s portfolio of over 1,200 corporates, including nearly half of the Fortune 500, and many leading trade organisations, non-profit institutions, and government entities.
“Today’s global megatrend in our business is the collision of critical practice areas, including corporate reputation, government relations, finance, crisis, litigation, and sports and I can think of no better strategic growth partner to capitalise on it than PPHC,” said Jim Wilkinson, Executive Chairman of TrailRunner International. “TrailRunner is a unique and exciting growth company with a track record of proven financial success, an aggressive strategy for continued growth, and the deep bench of talent required to succeed.”
Jim Hughes, CEO of TrailRunner International, supported these sentiments. “TrailRunner’s robust capabilities across strategic communications complement PPHC’s strong offerings across government relations, public affairs, and public policy, and we are eager to join forces with PPHC to help even more clients around the world build and maintain the stakeholder support they need to achieve their business objectives,” he said.
Through this agreement, TrailRunner hopes to significantly strengthen PPHC’s offerings in corporate affairs, financial communications, litigation communications, and crisis management, and also sports through TrailRunner’s sports practice, TrailRunner Sports.
