Fishawack buys UK med comms agency Facilitate

The Fishawack Group has acquired Brighton-based Facilitate as part of its 'buy and build' strategy.

The acquisition, Fishawack's third in just over a year, will see it a full-service a medical communications agency known for its Global Leadership Board service, which provides daily content analysis by expert physicians at key medical congresses.

Established in 2002 by Ann Dieckmann and Alan Bromley, Facilitate has worked primarily with global pharmaceutical clients based in the US and Europe.

Following the completion of the deal Bromley plans to leave the medical communications sector, but Dieckmann has confirmed she will stay with the business.

Dieckmann said: “We wanted to become part of a group that has global reach but remained focussed on medical communications. I am excited to be part of the Fishawack Group both for myself and for the team.”

Facilitate will be integrated into the Fishawack Group, which will rebrand it as Fishawack-Facilitate and provide it with additional resources and representation in the US.

Oliver Dennis, CEO of Fishawack, said: “Medical communications in the UK is based around an axis that connects Manchester to Oxford to London to Brighton.

“Being present in those areas puts you within reach of 75 per cent of all experienced medical communications professionals. Brighton is a great place for Fishawack to be.”

Dennis also thanked Fishawack investor Growth Capital Partners for its continued support, which had allowed his group to make three acquisitions in a short period of time.

Gail Flockhart, group managing director, said: “Whenever we acquire a new business, we are focussed on the reputation of the team, team fit with Fishawack, and great client relationships.

“We've been collaborating with Facilitate for the past six months and have a clear plan for supporting them with additional resource. Facilitate joining the group brings our global team to over 240 staff, a significant size for an independent organisation in the medical communications sector.”