What Headland Consultancy does

Headland Consultancy is a London-headquartered strategic communications consultancy founded in 2004, delivering advisory services across financial communications, corporate communications, public affairs and policy, campaigning, climate and nature, digital communications, crisis and litigation communications, change and employee communications, leadership coaching, and strategy and insight. Its core technology is human-delivered professional services — no proprietary software, APIs, or AI products are disclosed — supported by an extensive thought-leadership content library distributed via LinkedIn, X, Instagram, email newsletters, and an annual Sustainability Impact Report. The firm serves FTSE 100 and global enterprise clients across financial services, FMCG, retail, technology, energy, defence, aviation, and nonprofit sectors, with named clients including Unilever, TikTok, BAE Systems, KFC, M&S, Iberdrola, Danone, Accenture, Heathrow Airport, PepsiCo, Three (CK Hutchison), and Tata Steel.

Headland operates a professional services revenue model based on project engagements, retainers, and ongoing consultancy arrangements; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The firm is PE-backed, having received investment from LDC (the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group) in May 2021 to fund organic growth and service expansion, and acquired Bladonmore in 2024 to broaden its advisory offer and international reach. Headcount sits in the 101–250 range, with a senior-led direct client engagement model from a single London office at One New Change. Revenue was £14.3 million as of 2020 with a reported 20% pandemic-era increase, and recent signals — multiple senior hires through 2024–2026, M&A activity, and ESG credentials including Good Business Charter accreditation (2025) and full Blueprint diversity mark status (October 2025) — indicate sustained growth and operational scaling.

Name

Headland Consultancy

Legal name

Headland Consultancy Limited

Website

https://headlandconsultancy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Headland Consultancy is a London-based strategic communications consultancy founded in 2004, delivering financial communications, public affairs, corporate communications, climate advisory, and crisis services to FTSE 100 and global enterprise clients including Unilever, TikTok, BAE Systems, and KFC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Communications Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Sector & Policy Consulting (BPAHACAN)

Keywords

• Corporate communications consulting
• Public affairs advisory
• Financial communications services
• Crisis management communications
• Climate communications advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Strategic Communications Consulting: Professional advisory services delivered through project engagements, retainers, and ongoing consultancy arrangements for financial communications, public affairs, corporate communications, crisis communications, and specialized advisory services including climate and nature communications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Headland Consultancy is a UK-based communications consultancy delivering strategic advisory services across ten specialisations: financial communications, corporate communications, public affairs and policy, campaigning, climate and nature, strategy and insight, digital communications and content, leadership communications coaching, crisis and litigation communications, and change and employee communications. Services are delivered through project engagements and retainers to major corporations, financial institutions, advocacy organisations, and public sector clients. The firm operates from a London headquarters and combines multi-disciplinary advisory teams with deep political, financial, and sustainability expertise.

Product overview

Headland Consultancy is a UK-based communications consultancy offering a unified suite of advisory services rather than a software product. The company provides integrated communications services across ten distinct specializations: Financial Communications, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs & Policy, Campaigning, Climate and Nature, Strategy and Insight, Digital Communications & Content, Leadership Communications Coaching, Crisis & Litigation Communications, and Change & Employee Communications. These services are delivered by specialists through a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach to build reputations for clients across various sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Financial Communications Advisory services for financial public relations, investor relations communications, and messaging around financial performance and corporate transactions, delivered to listed corporates, banks, asset managers, and PE firms.
• Corporate Communications Strategic communications counsel for corporate messaging, reputation management, and internal and external stakeholder communications for major brands across FMCG, retail, tech, aviation, defence, and energy sectors.
• Public Affairs & Policy Government relations, political lobbying, and policy-focused communications to influence regulatory and legislative environments, drawing on Headland's Westminster relationships including former Keir Starmer Political Director Luke Sullivan.
• Campaigning Advocacy and issue-based campaign development to drive public engagement and influence opinion on specific causes or policy positions, serving NGOs, charities, and advocacy clients such as RSPB and The Body Shop.
• Climate and Nature Communications advisory focused on sustainability strategy, climate action narratives, net-zero transitions, and environmental reputation management, co-led with The Chancery Lane Project and delivered to clients such as Unilever, The Nature Conservancy, and CDP.
• Strategy and Insight Research-driven strategic communications planning, market intelligence, and stakeholder insight analysis to inform messaging and campaign development for client engagements.
• Digital Communications & Content Social media strategy, digital content creation, platform optimization, and online engagement campaigns across digital channels, including creator-led media and social listening capabilities.
• Leadership Communications Coaching Executive media training, speech coaching, and personal brand development for senior leaders and C-suite executives across Headland's client base.
• Crisis & Litigation Communications Rapid response communications support during corporate crises, legal proceedings, and reputational threats including media management and stakeholder messaging.
• Change & Employee Communications Internal communications strategy for organisational change, mergers, restructuring, and employee engagement initiatives, supporting clients such as M&S, Heathrow, and Randstad.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20% revenue increase during pandemic period
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Chancery Lane ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeadland co-leads climate and nature work with The Chancery Lane Project, a non-profit developing open-source climate-positive contract clauses. Tom Lawless serves as an adviser to the organization. Collaboration on climate risk tools and contractual climate solutions.
• Good Business CharterminorOthersHeadland received Good Business Charter accreditation in May 2025, committing to all 10 GBC components covering employees, clients, suppliers, tax, and the environment. Active participant in Good Business Week initiatives.
• Taylor Bennett FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 2022 to encourage people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to pursue careers in communications. Headland delivers Summer Internship Programme helping young talent enter the industry.
• AMOS BursaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeadland provides regular mentoring and learning sessions to AMOS Bursary students and sponsors a dedicated student as part of long-term development programme. Supports talented young people of African and Caribbean heritage.
• SeismicminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSeismic Change helped Headland review Scope 1-3 Carbon Footprint and create action plan to achieve climate goals including near-term Science Based Target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030.
• EarthlyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeadland committed to net zero through Earthly's platform, supporting environmental restoration projects and carbon offsetting initiatives as part of comprehensive sustainability strategy.
• The Blueprint (The Pros Collective)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHeadland worked with The Blueprint team over two years to achieve full Blueprint diversity mark status in October 2025, demonstrating commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of business.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Brunswick Group: Global strategic communications consultancy with strong financial communications, public affairs and crisis practices. Closest direct competitor to Headland given overlapping service portfolio, FTSE 100 / global corporate client base, and integrated advisory model.
• Finsbury Glover Hering: Global strategic communications and advisory firm with deep financial communications, investor relations and public affairs capabilities. Highly comparable to Headland on client type (corporates, financial institutions) and core service lines.
• MHP Group: UK-headquartered strategic communications consultancy combining corporate, public affairs and financial communications. Closest UK mid-market competitor to Headland in scale and multi-discipline positioning.
• Teneo: Global strategic advisory firm spanning communications, consulting and financial advisory. Competes directly with Headland for corporate reputation, financial communications and public affairs mandates, particularly in cross-border engagements.
• Portland Communications: UK-headquartered strategic communications and public affairs consultancy with strong political insight and corporate reputation practices. Direct competitor to Headland in public affairs and policy-led corporate communications.
• Hawthorn Advisors: UK public affairs and strategic communications consultancy. Comparable to Headland in targeting UK corporates and policy-sensitive clients, though narrower in service breadth.
• SEC Newgate: Global strategic communications and public affairs group. Overlaps with Headland in corporate communications, public affairs, and campaigning mandates for listed corporates and policy-sensitive organizations.
• Cicero Group: UK-based public affairs, policy and corporate communications consultancy. Direct competitor to Headland in public affairs and policy-led corporate communications for UK and European clients.
• Instinctif Partners: UK-headquartered communications and investor relations advisory firm. Closely comparable to Headland on financial communications, corporate reputation and capital markets advisory for UK and European mid-large caps.

Broad incumbents

• FTI Consulting: Global professional services firm with a large Strategic Communications segment spanning financial communications, public affairs and crisis. Broader incumbent that competes with Headland on large-cap corporate mandates as part of a wider consulting portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HeadlandComms
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/headland-consultancy
• Instagraminstagram.com/headlandcomms

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Headland Consultancy