PIN Communications

What PIN Communications does

PIN Communications is a UK-based, privately held communications and election services firm operating as a trading division of Print Image Network Ltd from Stockport. Founded in 2000 and rebranded to its current name in 2024 (previously UK Engage and Print Image Network Ltd), the company delivers multi-channel communication solutions to three core segments: UK local authorities (statutory elections, BID ballots, canvass services), membership organisations such as trade unions, building societies, NHS Foundation Trusts, professional bodies and charities (AGM voting, electronic voting, proxy voting, virtual AGMs), and private sector brands (direct mail, marketing print, fulfilment, postal management). Named clients include Leeds City Council, Warrington Borough Council, Nationwide Pension Fund, Exeter Friendly Society, Cornish Mutual, the PDA Union, the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, and BASC.\n\nThe technology backbone consists of secure, browser-based online voting and Virtual AGM platforms with end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and ISO 27001 / Cyber Essentials Plus certified production environments. The Hybrid Mail platform is delivered as a web portal or print driver with a built-in API for document management system integration, and integrates with Microsoft Teams and Zoom for hybrid meeting delivery. Election delivery supports postal, online, hybrid, and in-person modalities with consolidated counting across data sources.\n\nPIN Communications earns revenue through a mix of professional services (full-service election administration, managed accounts), recurring platform subscriptions (Voting Platform, Virtual AGM Platform, Hybrid Mail portal), and per-item transaction fees (hybrid mail printing and postage, direct mail campaigns). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; commercial relationships are typically structured as multi-year contracts and framework agreements. The company operates a consultative, sales-led go-to-market targeting enterprise and government buyers, with marketing executed through PIN Insights content, case studies, LinkedIn, and SEO, and no external equity funding disclosed.

Name

PIN Communications

Legal name

Print Image Network Ltd

Website

https://pin-communications.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PIN Communications is a UK-based, privately held multi-channel communications firm serving local authorities, membership organisations, and private sector clients with election administration, secure communications, hybrid mail, and direct mail services from its Stockport headquarters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Election Administration & Multi-Channel Communications Services

NAICS

Direct Mail Advertising (541860)

SIC

Services-Direct Mail Advertising Services (7331), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTLAAAAAN

Government & Public Service Mail (Official Communications, Elections)

Transportation & Logistics/Courier, Express & Parcel (CEP) / Last-Mile Delivery/National Postal Operators (Letters & Parcels)

Keywords

• Election administration services
• Online voting platforms
• Virtual AGM services
• Hybrid mail solutions
• Direct mail campaigns

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockport

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Election Services & Professional Services: Full-service election administration including postal voting, online voting, AGM voting services, ballot management, and independent scrutineer services for trade unions and membership organisations. Delivered as managed professional services with dedicated account management.
2. Digital Platform Subscriptions: Subscription-based access to voting platforms (online voting, virtual AGM platform, hybrid mail portal). Clients pay for platform access and usage rights on an ongoing basis.
3. Hybrid Mail Services: Digital-to-physical mailing solution where clients upload documents for printing, finishing, and postal dispatch. Charged per-item with postal discounting for volume.
4. Direct Mail & Marketing Print: End-to-end direct mail campaigns including creative services, print, fulfilment, and postal delivery. Charged per campaign or per mail pack.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PIN Communications provides managed election administration and multi-channel communications services for UK local authorities and membership organisations, spanning electoral printing and mailing, online and hybrid voting, AGM voting and proxy voting, and BEIS-approved independent scrutineer services for trade union ballots. It also delivers secure communications (billing, critical communications, hybrid mail) and marketing activation (direct mail, creative, POS print, fulfilment) to private sector brands. The offering combines consultative professional services with proprietary digital platforms (Virtual AGM, online voting and Hybrid Mail) used on a subscription and per-use basis.

Product overview

PIN Communications is a multi-channel communication solutions provider operating under a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offerings include three main service lines: (1) Elections Services for Local Authorities and Membership Organisations (encompassing AGM Voting, Electronic Voting, Handheld Voting, Proxy Voting, Voting & Election Services, and Virtual AGM Platform), (2) Secure Communications (including Hybrid Mail, Billing & Statements, and Critical Communications), and (3) Marketing Activation (covering Direct Mail, Creative Services, Exhibitions & Events, Fulfilment & Logistics, Marketing Print, Point of Sale Print, Postal Management, and Promotional Incentives). The digital infrastructure is anchored by the Virtual AGM Platform, Voting Platform, and Hybrid Mail system, which serve as the technology backbone enabling cross-channel election and communication delivery. PIN Communications positions itself as a trusted election services provider backed by over 25 years of experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Elections: Local Authority Services Comprehensive election services for UK local authorities covering BID Ballots, Canvass, Community Ballot and Elections, Council Tax communications, Electoral Print and Mail (poll cards, ballot papers, postal vote packs), and Electoral Support Products. Designed for councils and local government organisations running statutory and democratic processes with high-volume, time-critical deadlines.
• Elections: Membership & Full-Service Full-service elections, ballots, polls, referendums and AGMs for membership organisations (professional bodies, trade unions, building societies, NHS Foundation Trusts, charities, pension funds), supporting AGM voting, electronic voting, handheld voting, proxy voting, voting and election services, and virtual AGM delivery.
• Secure Communications Critical, data-sensitive communications services for regulated sectors covering secure production and delivery of Billing & Statements, time-sensitive Critical Communications, and Postal Management with tracked delivery. Serves organisations needing guaranteed, compliant communications.
• Marketing Activation End-to-end marketing activation services for brands spanning Creative Services, Direct Mail, Exhibitions and Events, Fulfilment and Logistics, Marketing Print, Point of Sale Print, Postal Management, and Promotional Incentives (branded merchandise). Designed for brands and commercial organisations executing multi-channel marketing campaigns.
• Digital Communications Digital campaign delivery and channel management services including multi-channel digital campaign execution and ongoing optimisation of digital communication channels for member and customer engagement.
• Hybrid Mail Platform Digital-to-physical mailing solution allowing users to upload data, select templates, review proofs, and dispatch printed mail through an ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus certified secure production environment. Available as a web portal or print driver, with a built-in API for integration with document management systems. Used by organisations needing auditable, secure postal delivery.
• Virtual AGM Platform End-to-end single sign-on virtual AGM service integrating proxy voting, video streaming (with Microsoft Teams and Zoom integration), live Q&A, and real-time voting with instant result display. Used by membership organisations running hybrid, virtual or in-person AGMs and general meetings.
• Voting Platform Secure browser-based online voting platform enabling eligible voters to cast ballots over the internet using any device, featuring unique security codes, quick vote functionality, and proxy appointment capabilities. Used by membership organisations running online or hybrid elections.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% on-time despatch rate for 1.2 million+ items during peak election period
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered supporting.

• EpicTechsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAudio/visual technology partner providing enhanced live streaming and production services for PIN Communications' virtual and hybrid AGM platform. Collaboration delivers broadcast-quality video, graphical overlays, and professional live event production for AGM meetings.
• Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside (CLM)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit regeneration organisation that partnered with PIN Communications and Warrington Borough Council to conduct the BID2 ballot. Groundwork CLM provided project coordination and business support services alongside PIN's election administration.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Electoral Reform Services (ERS): UK-based provider of independent election services, ballot administration, and AGMs for membership organisations, trade unions, and professional bodies. Directly comparable to PIN's Membership Organisations & Full-Service elections line, including postal, online, and hybrid voting.
• OnePost: UK provider of hybrid mail services that lets organisations send physical mail via a cloud platform using Royal Mail's postal infrastructure. Directly comparable to PIN's Hybrid Mail solution with similar last-mile postal model.
• CFH Docmail: UK hybrid mail and direct mail provider offering digital-to-physical mailing solutions for businesses, with bulk-print and postal fulfilment. Directly comparable to PIN's Hybrid Mail platform and direct mail campaign services.
• Bluestone (part of UK Marketing Group): UK direct marketing services provider operating across direct mail, creative, print, fulfilment, and data. Directly comparable to PIN's Marketing Activation product line including Direct Mail, Creative Services, and Fulfilment & Logistics.
• Civica Election Services: One of the largest UK providers of election services to local authorities, delivering postal vote packs, ballot papers, and election management software. Directly comparable to PIN's core Local Authority election services business.

Broad incumbents

• Communisis: Large UK customer communications and print services provider serving regulated sectors with billing, statements, and direct marketing. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering overlapping secure communications and marketing activation capabilities.
• Paragon Customer Communications: UK-based customer communications provider delivering secure, transactional, and digital communications to regulated industries. Comparable as a larger-scale incumbent in the secure communications and hybrid mail space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PrintImageNetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pin-communications

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 PIN Communications