FTI Consulting is advising Sembcorp Salalah, the Omani energy and water desalination company, on the PR and marketing for its $138 million IPO.

The offer, which launched last week, will be the biggest IPO in Oman and one of the biggest in the region so far this year. FTI is coordinating the advertising, marketing and PR activities for the share offer which closes at the end of September.

Earlier this year FTI advised Iraq’s Asiacell on the domestic marketing and global PR for its ground-breaking $5 billion IPO – the first IPO in that country since the fall of Sadam Hussain and the biggest share offer in the Middle East since 2008.

The team for the Sembcorp Salalah share offer includes John Hobday, Jon Earl and Vadia Rai in Dubai and Neil Doyle and Jessica Colman in London.

Rebecca O'Neill has joined the Fitch Group as head of communications for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

She was most recently EMEA communications director for the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA), the global trade association for the OTC derivatives market.

Based in London, Rebecca will report to Daniel Noonan, global head of communications.

Prior to joining ISDA in March 2010, Rebecca was a director of corporate communications at Credit Suisse, serving as deputy to the head of EMEA communications and managing external and internal communications for the fixed income department and the global markets solutions group, which incorporated all EMEA capital markets businesses. Rebecca joined Credit Suisse in 2000 from Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette. Rebecca began her career at Burson-Marsteller in Sydney, Australia.

Fitch Group, a global leader in financial information services with operations in more than 30 countries, is comprised of Fitch Ratings, Fitch Solutions and Fitch Learning. Headquartered in New York and London, Fitch Group is jointly owned by Paris based Fimalac, S.A. and New York based Hearst Corporation.

Rebecca can be reached on +44 (0)20 3530 1697 and rebecca.oneill@fitchratings.com.

FWD has won the PR mandate for the newly merged professional services company focusing on the insurance sector.

Triton Global is a newly formed enterprise consisting of three principal businesses, the law firm Robin Simon, DCS Global, the claims management company, and Walsh PI, the loss adjusting firm. The company recently completed an Alternative Business Structure, regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and combined the three successful entities into a single multi disciplinary company, Triton Global.

The account will be managed by Gug Kyriacou, Director, and Matthew Longbottom, Account Director.

John Coleman, CEO Triton Global, said: “This is an exciting time for Triton Global, not least with the combination of the three businesses and the launch of the ABS. FWD is renowned for its work in our sectors and we look forward to working with them.”

Gug Kyriacou, Director, FWD, added: “Triton Global might be seen as a new entity but it is the combination of three interlinked firms each with solid standing reputations. Our role is to inform the market about the rationale for changes to the business and why it strengthens their overall offering putting them at the forefront of end-to-end claims management.”

Nicolette Botbol has joined State Street Corporation as PR Manager covering for Noreen Shah whilst she is on maternity leave.

Previously, Nicolette worked as PR Manager at Fidelity Worldwide Investment on a contract basis providing maternity leave cover. She has also worked at XL Insurance, MHP and was formerly a reporter at Mortgage Strategy Magazine.

Nicolette can be reached at NBotbol@StateStreet.com and 020 3395 7073/ 07876 885 425

UK tea brand Amanzi has chosen Halpern to handle its consumer and trade PR.

The agency has been briefed to drive footfall to the brand's interactive flagship tea bar on London’s New Cavendish Street.

Halpern will hold a series of in-store events for press to experience the interactive retail and tea bar, and target traditional and online channels, with a focus on titles covering the Marylebone and London area.

The campaign also aims to build brand awareness within national lifestyle and food and drink titles via promotion of Amanzi's product range, which includes more than 150 propriety blends.

Activity will also include profiling the brand’s traditional tea-making, combined with modern techniques, to produce high quality blends.

The team will report to David Elghanayan, CEO of Amanzi.

David said: "The team at Halpern has a wealth of experience promoting lifestyle brands, and a real passion and enthusiasm for tea. We are looking forward to building our brand with them over the coming months."

Jen Burner, Halpern MD, said: "We are thrilled to be involved in communicating Amanzi’s unique concept to the UK media as well as ensuring the brand grows within the UK market."

Train operator East Coast has appointed Umpf to handle its social media following a three-way pitch.

East Coast has focused on Twitter as its primary social media channel to date. Umpf has been briefed to help the train operator's in-house team develop its strategy and drive integration of social media across all areas of the business.

Umpf will provide strategic advice, tactical initiatives, proactive content and community management, as well as wider campaigns for the brand.

East Coast social media manager Nick Wood said: "The rail industry generally prioritises much of its social media efforts towards customer comms channels like Twitter, and whilst this is the case for East Coast, we recognise the need to develop our whole social offering through a variety of channels.

"There are many great opportunities to integrate social media operationally and commercially to grow our customer engagement. Umpf has demonstrated an excellent track record in its approach to social media, and we're delighted it will work with us to deliver and develop our existing marketing and communications channels, as well to assist us creatively in exploring new and exciting ways to communicate with our customers."

Umpf founder and MD Adrian Johnson said: "This is the first time East Coast has appointed a dedicated social media agency so we are delighted to be working with the team as it integrates social media more deeply within the company and more broadly externally.

"We know from our research, and external independent reports, that the East Coast brand ranks high in terms of Twitter engagement and positive sentiment in comparison with other train operating companies. We want to build on that success and enhance the brand's social footprint and community reach."

East Coast, which launched in 2009, carries more than 18 million passengers per year, operating up to 156 train services each weekday between London King's Cross, the East Midlands, Yorkshire, North East England and Scotland.

Oliver Buckley and Tom Reynolds have both joined The Madano Partnership's energy practice.

Oliver (right) has joined as an account director, with a particular focus on energy clients. Previously at RLM Finsbury, he was a member of their Russian/CIS team, focusing on natural resources. Fluent in Russian and German, he brings a wealth of experience in cross-border communications, understanding the complexities of tailoring messages to audiences across different cultures, languages and outlooks.

Tom, who joins as an account executive, also brings further energy expertise to Madano as well as knowledge of the property sector. Previously at PPS Group, Tom is experienced in carrying out stakeholder engagement, media relations and issues management. He has also worked in the Westminster office of Margot James MP, where he was responsible for policy research and constituency matters.

“We are excited that Oliver and Tom have joined Madano,” says Partner, Michael Evans. “They bring expertise and experience that will boost not only our energy practice specifically, but our overall client offering.”

The Madano Partnership was recently acquired by Canada’s National Public Relations.

Oliver and Tom can be reached at oliver.buckley@madano.com and tom.reynolds@madano.com

TSB bank will be back on the high street next week and has a new team in place to manage its media relations headed up by Charlotte Sjoberg.

The team is made up of a retail and business banking team and a corporate team: Charlotte Sjoberg, Head of Media: charlotte.sjoberg@tsb.co.uk 020 7003 9281 / 07901 104 067

Retail and Business Banking Team:

Claire Miller, Senior Manager: claire.miller@tsb.co.uk 020 7003 9363 / 07900 276 400.
Risha Parmar, Manager: risha.parmar@tsb.co.uk 020 7003 9390 / 07876 858 874.
Julia Chapman, Manager: julia.chapman@tsb.co.uk 020 7003 9362 / 07766 474 068.
Rachael Snelling, Assistant Manager: rachael.snelling@tsb.co.uk 020 7003 9381 / 07876 230 701.

Corporate Team:

Roy Beale, Senior Manager: roy.beale@tsb.co.uk 020 7003 9368 / 07867 349 319.
Gillian Slater, Manager: gillian.slater@tsb.uk 020 7003 9367 / 07867 349 218.
Claire Newell, Manager: claire.newell@tsb.co.uk 020 7003 9484 / 07584 263 128.

The team have experience across a number of financial and consumer brands, including Nationwide Building Society, Sainsbury’s, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Aviva and Lloyds Banking Group.

Charlotte Sjoberg said: “This is the first time a bank of this size has ever been launched and my team and I are looking forward to bringing such a well loved brand back to the high street. TSB’s commitment to local banking is something to be proud of and we’re full steam ahead for next Monday’s launch."

The team can also be reached on the main media number: 020 7003 9369 or media@tsb.co.uk and you can follow them on twitter at @TSB_News.

Florist brand Wild at Heart, famous for its opulent style, has brought in freelance PR consultant Tamara Keefe as PR and marketing manager.

Tamara previously worked across a range of consumer and corporate accounts across the fashion, food and drink, events, awards and publishing sectors.

Freelance PR and events consultant Hannah Jago has also joined Wild at Heart as social media and new business manager.

In her new role, she will oversee all social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, and will manage the brand’s website and write a daily blog, a wedding blog and a newsletter.

Hannah has worked across a portfolio of music accounts and wedding-related clients and events. She was also a multimedia journalist for Reveal magazine.

Tamara and Hannah will both report to Nikki Tibbles, founder of Wild at Heart.

Established by Nikki in 1993, there are two Wild at Heart London shops, a concession in Liberty and a nationwide delivery service. Clients include Apple, Betty Jackson, Estee Lauder, Harper Collins, Harrods, Jo Malone, JP Morgan, Nomura, Solange Azugary Partridge, Soho House and The National Gallery.

Global Radio has brought in Seven Dials, the agency launched earlier this year by Simon Kelner, former editor-in-chief of The Independent, to handle its consumer and corporate PR.

The agency has been briefed to handle all PR for Global Radio's individual stations alongside its in-house team, as well as the corporate comms for the overall brand.

Ashley Tabor, founder and executive president of Global Radio, said: "We are excited about working with Seven Dials, who have an energy and freshness that matches our own spirit."

Seven Dials was launched in May by Simon, in partnership with ad agency Beattie McGuinness Bungay, and he described the Global account as a "landmark win for the agency".

"Every day, Global's stations produce high quality content, and our job is to maximise the impact and reach of this content, further cementing the bond between listener and station. We are excited by the challenge that Global presents."

Stephen Miron, group CEO of Global, said: "As a business that is growing and developing every year, we are keen to tell the Global story to a bigger audience. We were looking for an agency partner that speaks the same language as us and we found that in Seven Dials."

Global Radio is home to radio stations including Capital FM, Heart, Classic FM, LBC, Xfm, Choice FM and Gold and achieved a record high in the latest RAJARs, pulling in 20.2 million listeners every week.

As well as its radio stations and TV channels, Global has a talent and publishing division representing acts including Ellie Goulding, The Wanted, Lawson and Corinne Bailey Rae.

A specialist healthcare PR and investor relations practice has been launched by Hume Brophy, headed by Mary Clark who joins as managing director and brings with her over 20 years’ experience.

She joins Hume Brophy from M: Communications where she was head of life sciences. Prior to this, Mary built and led the healthcare and life sciences practice at Capital MSL. She also previously held the role of head of the European consulting team at Thomson Reuters, where she advised major international companies on investor relations strategies. She started her career at BTG plc, where she was head of investor relations.

Hollie Vile also joins Hume Brophy as account director and will work alongside Mary in the new division. Hollie was previously at M: Communications and Capital MSL. She has been advising European healthcare companies across the pharmaceuticals, medtech and biotech sectors.

“The setting up of a dedicated healthcare PR and IR practice is a logical and strategic next step for us, and Mary and her team will be working closely with our healthcare experts and teams across our Brussels, Dublin, Paris and Singapore offices," explained founding partner Eoin Brophy. "For some time, we have recognised the need for companies to communicate to a much wider set of stakeholders in the new age of healthcare, and that it is no longer sufficient for practitioners only to have certain skill sets and markets. With the scrutiny on healthcare systems as constant and intense as it is now, it’s critical that the industry is communicating its message properly and as widely as possible.”

“Our ten-strong international healthcare specialist team is now able to combine global industry knowledge and expertise in public relations, investor relations with our skills in the government & EU regulatory affairs spaces," explained Mary Clark, managing director of healthcare at Hume Brophy. "We understand the diverse nature of the healthcare industry and the roles that its constituents play. This means that we can deliver unrivalled healthcare solutions to help clients communicate with all the major decision makers and important influencers across the investment community, media, regulatory & legislative bodies, and, major political parties and institutions in Europe.”

Mary can be reached at mary.clark@humebrophy.com.

The London office of Communications and Network Consulting has hired former M: consultants Louise Tingström and Kevin Soady.

Louise and Kevin arrive from M:Communications and will be joined by former M: colleagues, senior consultant Teresa Wincrantz and team assistant Helena King.

Louise is an M&A and restructuring expert, and advises many of the continent's leading companies. Before joining M: in 2002 she was head of the Financial Dynamics (FTI) French and Continental Europe client group and previously ran international communications for British Airways and Visa.

Kevin specialises in the development of multi-disciplinary communications solutions for IPOs, reputation and corporate positioning, working across the spectrum of marketing techniques from social media to IR. Prior to joining M: in 2004 he led the international team at Dewe Rogerson, then Citigate Dewe Rogerson for many years.

"Louise, Kevin and the new team are central to our plans for a strong London-based strategic and financial communications hub to complement the international resources of CNC and the wider MSLGROUP. They bring outstanding experience and network to the team," said CNC’s CEO, Christoph Walther. Louise commented: "We know CNC well and have enjoyed working with the teams over many years. They are the best in the business at what they do. This is a great opportunity to build a market-leading financial and strategic communications business in London". This is part of MSLGROUP’s strategy to expand its strategic footprint in major centres and financial hubs. MSLGROUP’s other financial communications offering in London is Capital MSL.

The new hires will join the CNC (UK) team, which is headed by CNC Partner and co-founder Roland Klein and managed by Senior Consultant Oliver Mann. CNC (UK), along with CNC’s headquarters in Munich, was a founding office from which the company started to build its international presence with 11 partners, around 100 consultants and 9 offices in 7 countries.

CNC also confirmed the hiring of Jacqueline Hénard as head of CNC’s French operations. With Jacqueline’s excellent network in France and Germany, CNC will continue to expand its foothold in the French market and work on strengthening Franco-German relations, in close co-operation with MSLGROUP’s Paris-based agency, Publicis Consultants.

At CNC India, Gaurav Trivedi has been promoted to Managing Director of CNC India. Gaurav comes with extensive experience in Management Consulting, Corporate Affairs and Financial Analysis which he gained working in the USA, UK, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and India. His international background and his diverse industry and consulting expertise mean Gaurav is well qualified for the new position at CNC’s New Delhi office, working closely with MSLGROUP’s larger Indian team.

Louise and Kevin can be reached at Kevin.Soady@cnc-communications.com and Louise.Tingstrom@cnc-communications.com.

Jenny Shierson has joined FWD as an account manager having previously held a range of marketing and communications roles in the insurance, financial services and entertainment industry.

Prior to joining FWD, Jenny worked as a marketing and communications executive at international insurance broker, Arthur J. Gallagher. Previous to that she worked at The Financial Services Forum where she gained an understanding of the communications issues facing the financial services industry. She holds a professional diploma in marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, as well as a BA (Hons) degree.

“We are delighted to welcome Jenny to the FWD team," explained Michael Gaughan, chief executive of FWD. "She has a broad range of experience and skills in both insurance and financial services which will help us widen the scope of what we deliver to our clients."

Jenny can be reached at jenny.shierson@fwdpr.co.uk.

Oil-infused hair and body care range Moroccanoil has brought in M&C Saatchi PR to handle its PR in the UK and Ireland.

The agency has been briefed to provide a strategic consumer PR campaign to promote the brand's position as the original, premium oil-infused range of hair and body care products.

The team will also promote the brand's industry expertise and ambassadors.

Maureen Hockley, MD of UK and Ireland Moroccanoil distributor Joy Limited, said: "M&C Saatchi PR provides great insight into the industry and really understands the opportunity to continue to enhance and grow Moroccanoil's position within the UK hair market. We are very much looking forward to working with them as we move forward onto the next phase of Moroccanoil’s journey."

Molly Aldridge, Global CEO at M&C Saatchi PR, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Moroccanoil. It's a global beauty brand that has established itself firmly within both the consumer and professional hair care markets and we are looking forward to helping them expand their business even further."

Moroccanoil has quickly become a runaway hit among fashion and beauty insiders and has generated a devoted following among top stylists and their A-list celebrity clients. Launched seven years ago, Moroccanoil products are now available in more than 40 countries around the world.

Moonlight Media has announced that Tina Clark is joining the agency as head of the social media team.

Tina previously held lead social media roles with Facebook Preferred Marketing Developer, Betapond, and has also worked with LOCOG (London 2012 Olympics), University of Greenwich and The Daily Telegraph. A social media specialist with a MA in Public Relations, Tina also holds a BA (Hons) in Events Management both gained from the University of Greenwich in London.

“Moonlight Media has an unusual approach to social media, which works exceptionally well for clients," explained Tina Clark. "It has been very fast in responding to the changing PR landscape, taking proactive action to keep its clients at the forefront of financial service technology communications. I am looking forward to developing our social media programme further and working with our clients to stay ahead of changes in social media. In today‘s digital world it is important for companies to be fully engaged in social media and have quantifiable results.”

“Tina’s appointment will give Moonlight Media added depth of knowledge in social media," explained John Norris, managing director of Moonlight Media. "Her insights from her previous roles will provide an additional dimension and capability to the team's existing expertise and skills which will quickly benefit our clients.”

Tina can be reached at tina@moonlightmedia.co.uk.

Chesnara, the life assurance company that owns Countrywide Assured plc and Movestic Livförsäkringar AB, has appointed Newgate Threadneedle as its financial public relations adviser.

Listed on the London Stock Exchange since May 2004, Chesnara has a current market capitalisation of just over £300 million. The Newgate Threadneedle team is headed by Roddy Watt.

CA is a UK life assurance subsidiary that is closed to new business. In 2005 Chesnara acquired a further closed life insurance company - City of Westminster Assurance - for £47.8m. Save & Prosper Insurance Limited, and its subsidiary, Save & Prosper Pensions Limited were acquired in 2010 for £63.5m. This business was subsequently transferred into CA.

Movestic, a Swedish life assurance company which originally focused on pensions and savings, was acquired in 2009 for £20m. The company is open to new business and seeks to grow its position in the Swedish unit-linked market.

“Operating in both the closed- and open-book sectors of the life assurance markets and having significant operations in the UK and Sweden, means that clear communications are critical to Chesnara," explained Graham Kettleborough, Chesnara’s chief executive officer. "As such we have recently undertaken a review of our public relations strategy and are pleased to announce that we have engaged Newgate Threadneedle to ensure that our current and potential stakeholders are fully informed as regards our successful strategy in the UK and Western Europe.”

Charlie Geller has joined Redleaf Polhill's City and Corporate team as an account director.

He has over 10 years’ experience spanning financial PR, investor relations consultancy and small to mid cap stockbroking, where he worked as an equity salesman, raising funds for a number of IPOs and equity placings during 2012.

He brings expertise in providing equity marketing consultancy to help companies establish new investor opportunities, understand and reflect their investment demands, and define and communicate compelling investment propositions. He has advised over 100 companies across a number of sectors ranging in size from small cap to FTSE 250.

"We are delighted to welcome Charlie to our growing team," explained director Rebecca Sanders-Hewett. "Redleaf Polhill has enjoyed significant success over the past year, continuing to achieve both great results for existing clients, and also adding to the client list with a number of new companies. This addition will further strengthen the depth of services and advice we offer to our clients."

Charlie can be reached at cg@redleafpr.com.

Consilium Strategic Communications, a strategic communications advisor for the healthcare sector, has re-appointed Emma Thompson as a partner following the opening of its first Asian office, in Singapore’s Central Business District.

Emma re-joins the Consilium team as a co-founder and partner of the company, having previously co-founded M:Communications’ successful international healthcare team in 2009 prior to the management buy-out in 2013.

She was most recently account director at AKA Asia, a Singapore-based agency, where she gained local market knowledge leading the communication strategies for pan-regional clients, and was also previously a healthcare advisor at FD (FTI Consulting) in Europe.

Emma will lead the development of Consilium’s operations in the region, mirroring the focus of the European-based team on devising and implementing corporate and financial communications strategies for public and private healthcare companies internationally.

“We are delighted that Emma has chosen to rejoin the Consilium team," explained Mary-Jane Elliott, managing partner of Consilium Strategic Communications. "She has significant experience as a strategic healthcare communications advisor and we look forward to her contribution as we continue to grow. The increasing significance of Asia for the healthcare and investment markets is evident and the opening of our first office in the region is another important milestone for Consilium.”

“I am excited to be re-joining the incredibly successful healthcare team and to spearhead Consilium’s Asian operations," added Emma Thompson, partner and co-founder of Consilium Strategic Communications. "Consilium’s professional and proactive approach to strategic communications ensures that our healthcare clients receive unparalleled and trusted advice on their communications goals from our headquarters in Europe and now also from one of the fastest growing regions of the world.”

Frank PR has been chosen to launch Playboy's Bunny Bootcamp to the UK market following a competitive pitch.

The agency has been called in by IMGLicensing, part of global sports, fashion and media company IMG Worldwide, to support the launch and drive media interest ahead of the UK arrival of the new workout.

Frank PR client GYMBOX will work alongside IMG and host the Bunny Bootcamp exclusively in its gyms this month before it becomes available for licensing elsewhere.

Matthew Primack, vice president of licensing at IMG, said: "We wanted to appoint an agency we felt understood what we are trying to achieve with the Playboy brand in the UK and specifically with the Playboy Bunny Bootcamp. We were impressed by Frank's passion and creative ideas and are thrilled to be working alongside the team for this exciting launch."

Graham Goodkind, Frank PR CEO, said: "IMG is the world's best in licensing and Playboy is one of the world's most iconic brands, so we are very excited to be on this journey with them to launch the Playboy Bunny Bootcamp in the UK."

Following a competitive pitch, Kreab Gavin Anderson has been appointed by Brintons, one of the UK’s oldest and most prestigious carpet manufacturers, to provide corporate communications support in the UK and US.

Kidderminster-based Brintons has been weaving carpets since 1783 and has a reputation as one of the world’s premier carpet manufacturers. The business holds a Royal Warrant in recognition of supplying carpets to Royal residences. It was acquired by The Carlyle Group in September 2011 and has had a successful entry into new international markets and the implementation of proprietary technology.

Kreab Gavin Anderson will support Brintons to raise its profile in the UK and internationally amongst key business audiences. The Kreab team comprising of Marc Cohen, director, Matthew Jervois, director, and Ross Gillam, associate, will work directly with Don Coates, managing director for Brintons, and Rita Bancroft, marketing director for Brintons, as well as Catherine Armstrong, media relations manager for The Carlyle Group.

“We are delighted to work with Brintons, a business that blends heritage and history, with innovation and market-leading design," explained Marc Cohen. "It has such a strong story to tell. I am also pleased to be working with Carlyle Group, one of the world’s pre-eminent investment firms, in supporting their investment in Brintons.”

“Throughout the pitch process the Kreab team showed an excellent understanding of what makes our business unique and successful," explained Don Coates. "We are confident that given their expertise and experience, Kreab will help Brintons continue its upwards trajectory in new markets and sectors.”