FGS Global launches in the Netherlands, 8th office in Europe
International communications consultancy FGS Global has launched a new office in Amsterdam, the firm’s eighth in Europe.
Formed a year ago through the merger of Finsbury Glover Hering en Sard Verbinnen & Company, FGS Global has a team of around 1,200 professionals working from 20+ offices.
“As we continue to drive our growth across Europe, Amsterdam is the next logical step. The Netherlands has many blue-chip companies, a vital tech scene, and an increasingly important listing place with Euronext Amsterdam,” said global board member Phoebe Kebbel about the move into the Dutch capital city.
FGS Global specialises in financial communications. The company advises clients on how they can build (or protect) their brand and reputation during mergers & acquisitions, initial public offerings, or spin-offs. The firm is also hired by clients in cases of crisis, including situations such as activist attacks or having to deal with major negative press.
Leading the Dutch venture are the duo, Tim van der Zanden and Andreas Kolbe. The latter is currently a leader at FGS Global in Düsseldorf, specialised in cross-border M&A and strategic positioning work.
The Dutchman Van der Zanden has joined the firm externally from Philips, where he was part of the team that successfully accompanied the spin-off of the Domestic Appliances business. Earlier, he held various communications leadership roles at companies including The Heineken Company, Ahold Delhaize and AkzoNobel, after beginning his career at H&K Strategies.
FGS Global is majority owned by global advertising giant WPP. The remaining stake is owned by management and employees, and American private equity firm Golden Gate Capital.