SEC, Newington’s majority shareholder and Italy’s largest communications agency, has agreed a £3 million equity investment in Porta Communications, a global integrated communications and marketing group with offices in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

SEC and Porta will establish a central marketing and new business function for the development of joint new business opportunities internationally.

Commenting on the move, Mark Glover, Chief Executive of Newington, said; “We welcome the opportunities this strategic partnership presents for Newington in participating for international contracts and, where appropriate, to investigate collaboration opportunities for mutual benefit between the two entities in the UK.”

Alongside SEC’s strategic investment and the commercial collaboration agreement, Fiorenzo Tagliabue, CEO and founder of SEC, will be appointed to the board of Porta, as Non-Executive Deputy Chairman.

The investment follows two major acquisitions last year where SEC took a 60% stake in both Newington and Poland-based Martis Consulting, adding to its European offer which spans Italy, Brussels, Germany and Spain.