Press Release: 14 Jun 2010

European crisis network expands

UK risk management and communications specialist Razor (www.razor-pr.com) has boosted its pan-European reach this month, with the expansion of the risk and crisis network it coordinates, adding two new consultancy members.

The seven-strong European Crisis management Partners (ECMP) network has welcomed to its ranks French agency, LJ Corporate, based in Paris, and Warsaw-based Questia.

The nine countries now covered by the network are Belgium (akkanto), Netherlands, (Schuttelaar & Partners), UK (Razor and College Hill), Germany (Kohl PR & Partners), Italy (Luigi Norsa & Associati), Spain (Gabinete Uribe), Portugal (Omniconsul) – and now France and Poland, the latter being the network’s first Eastern European addition.

 Questia, founded in 2001, specialises in work with clients from the pharmaceutical and food industries, heavy industries, financial services and real estate. www.questiapr.pl

LJ Corporate is a subsidiary of LJ Communication, a leading independent PR consultancy firm with its special expertise in the pharmaceutical industry, food, public health, general interest and environmental issues. www.ljcom.net

Chris Woodcock, Managing Director of Razor, part of the College Hill group, who acts as coordinator of the network, said: “We are increasingly seeing a demand in manufacturing industry across Europe for risk and crisis management specialists. This is especially so in the food and drink market, where increasing regulation, legislation and demand for public scrutiny and transparency are driving the need for good governance. It is timely, now that the recession if lifting, that we are able to have connections with more European countries and offer our clients depth of knowledge in each country or vertical market”.

Among the core areas of expertise on offer from Razor and the ECMP network are horizon scanning, risk auditing, reputation risk identification, risk assessment workshops, development of crisis management protocols and resources and media training.

Press Release: 11 Jun 2010

Razor sharpens team with trio of appointments

Oxfordshire and London consultancy, Razor (www.razor-pr.com), part of the College Hill group, has further strengthened its Corporate and crisis management team with three new members, taking it to 18 regular advisers who work with clients across Europe and the USA.

Clare Walder, aged 41, of Fritwell, Oxfordshire has joined the team as Office and Team Manager. She will also support the agency’s training and coaching service. Ian Robinson, aged 39, of Banbury, Oxfordshire has also joined as the business’ new Finance Manager.

Meanwhile Richard Coleman, aged 30, of Ealing, London joins the Corporate team as a Consultant, working under the College Hill brand. Richard joins from a south-east PR agency, where he focused on clients in the financial, energy, aviation and education sectors. Initially, he will play a vital role supporting the team on media relations-led briefs.

Razor head and College Hill Managing Partner, Chris Woodcock, says: “We have been part of College Hill for two years now and, thanks to the joint working across our two offices and the combined strength on offer across College Hill practices, we are able to pitch for more varied briefs from more varied markets, and our revenue has almost doubled in that period as a result. The recession has made the climate tougher but our own horizons have definitely expanded.”

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Press Release: 21 Jul 2009

Razor sharpens team

UK risk management and communications specialist Razor (www.razor-pr.com), has further expanded and strengthened its team with a new consultant and a promotion, taking its regional team to 15 regular advisers who work with clients across Europe and in the USA.

Zoe March, aged 25, joins the Oxfordshire office of the communications business. Their client base includes national and pan-European companies in a variety of sectors - particularly food and drink, health, manufacturing and property management.

Zoe joins from a smaller agency where she focused on environmental and stakeholder communications, risks and issues. Her corporate communications and issues management client portfolio at Razor includes pan-European packaging trade body ACE, the world leader in liquid-repellent nano-coating technology P2i, global food ingredients manufacturer Cargill and engineering consultancy MWH UK.

Meanwhile, Kate Hessian, aged 30, has been promoted to Executive in the Oxfordshire office. Her new responsibilities will see her working across a wide range of clients, on media relations and/or crisis communications, including Cargill, Givaudan, Radical and a US property management company.

Razor Managing Director, Chris Woodcock, says: “In parallel, we are expanding our London team, who work alongside their colleagues in Oxfordshire on a wide variety of UK and international clients. Since we became part of the College Hill group last spring, we have been able to build business from colleagues in other practice teams, which has helped us to withstand some of the knocks of the recessionary period.”

-Ends-

For more information please contact Kate Hessian (Tel: 01869 353 800 or email: kate.Hessian@razor-pr.com )

Notes to editors:

Razor (www.razor-pr.com) is a corporate communications and issues management consultancy that specialises in crisis preparedness, issues management and crisis handling in the European food industry. The company also runs corporate communications, media relations and internal communications programmes and runs communications training courses.

Press Release: 14 May 2009

British Retail Consortium and XL Insurance form strategic alliance

London, UK 14 May - The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and XL Insurance, the global insurance operations of XL Capital Ltd (NYSE: XL), today announced their strategic alliance offering Product Contamination Insurance to BRC Certificated Suppliers.

Under the agreement XL Insurance will be offering Product Contamination Insurance as a preferred supplier to producers certificated under the BRC Global Standards scheme. The insurance covers costs associated with a product recall, ranging from withdrawal expenses to the policyholder's loss of profit. It places an emphasis on risk prevention and emergency response. Included in the premium is a free initial consultation with crisis managers as well as an allocation for risk improvement work such as recall and crisis planning. In the event of a recall the insured has access via a 24-hour hotline to UK-based crisis consultants Razor and other strategic partners, who between them have expertise in areas such as recall strategy development, crisis stakeholder communications, product security, laboratory services and regulatory advice.

Ed Mitchell, Global Product Recall Manager at XL Insurance, said: "We are pleased to have been selected as a preferred supplier to the BRC Global Standards scheme. As the food and drink industry is experiencing increased regulatory scrutiny as well as public interest in food safety, companies are not only concerned about immediate financial impact, but also about protecting their brand and reputation.

"XL Insurance recognises that being prepared and implementing the right recall and crisis management system will ensure companies protect their reputation as well as their bottom line."

Dr Geoff Spriegel, Director of Global Standards and Technical Services, from the BRC commented: "XL Insurance's expertise in this field makes them an ideal partner to offer Product Contamination Insurance to Global Standards scheme our members. From today companies that are BRC certificated can benefit from XL Insurance's expertise and protect themselves against the costs of product recalls. This insurance also gives BRC Certificated Suppliers access to an exclusive network of risk and crisis management consultants."

Notes to Editors

About the British Retail Consortium (BRC)

The British Retail Consortium is the lead trade association representing the whole range of retailers, from the large multiples and department stores through to independents, selling a wide selection of products through centre of town, rural and virtual stores.

About the BRC's Global Standards

The BRC Global Standards are part of a leading global safety and quality certification program used throughout the world by over 14,000 certificated suppliers in over 100 countries through a network of over 80 accredited and BRC recognised Certification Bodies. The BRC Global Standards are widely used by suppliers to global retail industries in order to facilitate the standardisation of quality, safety, operational criteria and manufacturers' fulfilment of legal obligations and help provide protection to the consumer.

About XL Insurance

"XL Insurance" is the global brand used by member insurers of the XL Capital Ltd (NYSE: XL) group of companies. More information about XL Insurance and its products are available at www.xlinsurance.com. Through its operating subsidiaries, XL Capital is a leading provider of global insurance and reinsurance coverage and services to industrial, commercial and professional service firms, insurance companies, and other enterprises on a worldwide basis. More information about XL Capital Ltd is available at www.xlcapital.com.

About Razor

Razor is a highly regarded business communications consultancy specialising in crisis, risk and issues management. Razor works with clients all over Europe with a particular market expertise in the Food & Drink industry. Razor has alliance partnerships with other strategic agencies covering food scientific, security, legal and audit. They also work with clients in industrial manufacturing, engineering, commercial property, logistics, retail, consumer goods and health, among other private and public sector markets. More information about Razor is available at www.razor-pr.com.

Press Release: 23 Apr 2009

Razor marks anniversary

UK risk management and communications specialist Razor (www.razor-pr.com) marks its first year anniversary as part of the College Hill Group by adding three new consultants to its UK team this month.

Razor became part of College Hill Group, the country's 12th largest communications consultancy, in March 2008. The Razor business now operates under both brands - retaining the Razor brand for all of it s risk, issues and crisis management work. It has a team of 16 spread between its offices in Oxfordshire and central London.

Among its new joiners, and working in both locations, is Victoria Cross. Her experience includes working on risk management and environmental campaigns, including board-level media training and crisis communications. She began her career more than a decade ago as a graduate trainee at an international agency specialising in risk management PR.

Also joining Razor and College Hill this month are Duncan Mackenzie-Reid, a former Senior Partner of Lexis Public Relations; and Jeremy Durrant, who began his career as a press journalist before picking up corporate and media relations experience in a regional agency in Kent. All of them have managed a variety of issues and risk-based briefs spanning the public and private sector.

Razor managing director, Chris Woodcock, says: "The nature of the work we do - spanning both the protection and the building of reputation - is allowing us to adapt to provide flexible value to clients in the midst of a recession, whether they are facing business problems or opportunities, or both. Being part of the much larger College Hill business is also yielding many new opportunities in terms of business growth and client referrals, and we are focusing hard on making the most of these with our expanded team."

Kate Hessian

01869 353 800

kate.hessian@razor-pr.com

Notes to Editors

Razor (www.razor-pr.com) is a risk, issues and crisis management consultancy that specialises in applying these skills in the European food and drink industry. The company also runs corporate communications, media relations and internal communications programmes and runs communications training courses. It is a member of the Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association.

Press Release: 16 Apr 2009

Corporate manslaughter

New challenges for boardroom and advisers

The increasingly complex landscape of risk management, corporate governance and reputation management changed for ever in the spring of 2008 - 6th April, to be precise.

The new Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act came into operation from that date and applies to all companies, regardless of size. In essence, it introduces a new offence across the UK allowing for prosecution of companies and organisations where there is judged to be a gross failing in health and safety management with fatal consequences. Clearly, it gives the courts greater powers to shame companies and brands  and the people who run them.

Companies will be exposed to more police investigations, higher fines (theoretically, without limit) and a wider range of possible offences, lawyers claim.

The Act is primarily a response to widespread criticism of the existing law, after a series of failed prosecutions over disasters such as the 1987 capsizing of the Herald of Free Enterprise ferry in the English Channel, which resulted in the deaths of 193 people, and the Southall train crash in 1997.

Importantly, for those offering pre-emptive and risk management advice to larger or high-profile business boardroom teams, the new law theoretically makes large companies more vulnerable because prosecutors no longer have to demonstrate that a single senior official is the "controlling mind" and shoulders the main responsibility for a death. The act requires instead that senior management as a whole play an accountable role in the offence.

And, of course, there's a whole new branch of the risk advisory profession that's been emerging in anticipation of the far-reaching implications of the new Act, which will not only cover fatal accidents at work but also cases of death on the roads during work journeys.

Meanwhile, critics of the long-awaited Act say it is too lenient and lets individual managers off the hook. There has also been a cautious but relatively sanguine reaction from some businesses, so far, as only the first test cases will start to alert commercial lawyers and their clients to the real scale of the threat.

However, some industry leaders, at least, are alarmed by proposals that guilty companies could face fines of 10 per cent of turnover, translating into hundreds of millions of pounds for the major corporations.

Such fines could dwarf the largest penalties imposed so far under health and safety legislation. For instance, there was the £11m fine imposed on Network Rail and Balfour Beatty over the Hatfield crash in 2000 and the £15m fine of gas supply company Transco over an explosion in Lanarkshire that killed a family of four in 1999.

Of course, there are two perspectives former fines did not "reflect the seriousness of the offence of taking a life by negligent management of health and safety, often over a prolonged period, saving money and cutting costs". A fair point, in many people's view, and one that business leaders need to keep carefully in focus if they come under scrutiny.

One further aspect of the Act is worth comment, for now... A further potential penalty facing companies convicted under the Act is the imposition of an "adverse publicity order", requiring them to announce findings in advertisements or letters to suppliers and shareholders. The FT reported on 7th April that some businesses are fearing the reputation implications almost as much as the potential fines. They were reporting on the findings of law firm Norton Rose, which claimed, in its own research, that of the firm's 90 or so clients, 42 per cent said they believed publicity orders were the biggest deterrent under the new rules - only three per cent less than those who said that fines were the biggest threat.

For those approaching the risk arena from a reputation management point of view - that is corporate communicators and corporate affairs professionals - there is a need to review and strengthen all appropriate areas of senior director and management training, risk assessment, insurance and internal reporting. This is going to affect corporate stakeholders and due diligence fundamentally. The legislation is going to demand smart, well-managed culture change and, consequently will fall fair and square into the remit of 'communications'. It will further heighten the scope and significance of the communications team, who can legitimately design and co-ordinate the many tasks and functions involved.

Not a time for over-reaction - but a definite moment for considered and thorough review of company practice, particularly for quoted businesses and their boardroom teams.

Chris Woodcock is Managing Director of risk communications and PR consultancy Razor and a Managing Partner of the College Hill group.

01869 353800

chris.woodcock@razor.eu.com

Press Release: 17 Mar 2008

Risk Specialist Razor Joins InternationaI Agency College Hill

Razor Public Relations, one of the top risk management and communications agencies in Europe, announced today that it has joined College Hill, one of the UK's leading communications consutlancies.

Razor, founded in 1999, has built a leading reputation in international risk management and business continuity, specialising in the food and drinks industry but also operating in manufacturing and property, among other markets. Razor run the DARE risk management service with Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA), designed to suit food industry operations requirements. They also run a tailored product recall service for the same market with XL Insurance.

Chris Woodcock, founder and Managing Director of Razor, becomes a Managing Partner at College Hill, retaining responsibility for Razor' business portfolio. She commented: "The risk and crisis management skills of Razor fit perfectly into the practice structure of College Hill. Our clients will benefit from a wider range of services and resources."

College Hill Chairman Alex Sandberg and Group Chief Executive Richard Nichols, added: "Chris is exceptionally experienced in the PR industry, and the Razor team has built an enviable reputation. Their specialism in the increasingly important area of risk management communications is a valuable enhancement to the services we provide our clients."

Razor will provide a distinct practice within College Hill with capabilities in London, the US, Asia and Africa. Razor's team will operate from dual offices near Oxford, their original base, and from the College Hill head office in Royal Mint Court, London.

Razor was advised by Pembridge Partners LLP

ENQUIRIES: College Hill +44 20 7457 2020 Alex Sandberg, Chairman Richard Nichols, Group Chief Executive Razor +44 1869 353800 Chris Woodcock Managing Director

Notes to Editors
College Hill:
College Hill is an international business communications consultancy offering a wide range of complementary practice skills to businesses and institutions. With both specialist industry sector teams and specialist practices, College Hill consultants bring to our clients the strategic advice and implementation needed in times of change - such as transactions or crises - as well as in the day-to-day management of their valuation, reputation and ultimately, their business objectives.

Razor:
Razor is a specialist in building and protecting corporate, brand or service reputations. The team is recognised as a leader in the field of issues and crisis communication management, particularly in the food, drink and chemical industries

Press Release: 17 Mar 2008

College Hill acquires Risk Management Specialist

Acquisition enhances risk management capabilities and expands coverage of the food and drink sector

College Hill announced today that it has acquired Razor Public Relations.

Razor, founded in 1999, has built a leading reputation in international risk management and business continuity communications, particularly in the food and drinks industry. Razor's existing clients include a wide range of FMCG food brands and food ingredient manufacturers across Europe, as well as clients in other sectors, including property and chemicals.

Chris Woodcock, Founder and Managing Director of Razor, becomes a Managing Partner at College Hill. She commented: "The risk and crisis management skills of Razor fit perfectly into the practice structure of College Hill. Our clients will benefit from a wider range of services and resources."

College Hill Chairman Alex Sandberg and Group Chief Executive, Richard Nichols, added: "Chris is exceptionally experienced in the PR industry and the Razor team has built an enviable reputation. Their specialism in the increasingly important area of risk management communications is a valuable enhancement to the services we provide our clients."

Razor was advised by Pembridge Partners LLP

College Hill +44 20 7457 2020 Alex Sandberg, Chairman Richard Nichols, Group Chief Executive Razor +44 1869 353800 Chris Woodcock Managing Director

Notes to Editors

College Hill

College Hill is an international business communications consultancy offering a wide range of complementary practice skills to businesses and institutions. With both specialist industry sector teams and specialist practices, College Hill consultants bring to our clients the strategic advice and implementation needed in times of change - such as transactions or crises - as well as in the day-to-day management of their valuation, reputation and ultimately, their business objectives.

Razor

Razor is a specialist in building and protecting corporate reputation. The team is recognised as a leader in the field of international risk management communications, particularly in the food, drink, chemical and property industries.

Press Release: 24 Jan 2008

Oxfordshire consultancy sharpens up with dual appointment

Oxfordshire PR consultancy, Razor (www.razor-pr.com), further boosts its team this spring with the appointments of Nikki Barber and Floyd Jebson.

Nikki and Floyd join the communications consultancy, based just outside Oxford, which specialises in crisis, risk and issues management and whose client base includes national and pan-European food manufacturers, as well as government-related bodies and utility-related organisations.

Nikki Barber, from Chesterton, near Bicester, has joined the specialist agency, bringing seven years of consultancy and in-house experience from the private, public and voluntary sectors. Most recently, Nikki was Public Relations Manager for Helen & Douglas House, the pioneering charity in Oxford providing respite and end of life care for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions.

In joining Razor, Nikki has returned to her heritage of food PR, having previously been a Senior Press Officer for the Food Standards Agency on the Consumer Health and Nutrition Team and a Consultant for Banbury-based agency, Porter Novelli, with clients such as Danish Bacon, Kraft Foods and Heinz.

A Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, Floyd joins Razor from a Birmingham-based agency where, amongst other clients, he undertook general media relations, including a programme of MP visits, for a FTSE100 pub company.

Previously, Floyd worked for Alliance & Leicester as Communications Manager. He has also worked for Royal Mail Group as a Media Relations Manager, covering the three group brands: Royal Mail, Post Office Ltd and Parcelforce Worldwide.

Before moving into public relations Floyd worked for 12 years in local newspapers in production and journalism, before studying full-time for a degree in Communication, Culture and Media.

Razor managing director, Chris Woodcock, says: "Both Nikki and Floyd are great fits for Razor. Our client base is increasingly looking for a combination of positive media relations ability plus risk management, so covering both reputation building and protection. These appointments reflect a period of busy growth for us; we're finding that more and more companies are looking for an agency that can offer 'big agency' thinking without the corresponding price tag. Being based in Oxfordshire enables us to offer exactly that."

Nikki and Floyd's clients at Razor include leading utility and environmental engineering consultancy MWH, international food ingredients manufacturer Cargill, a global property management company and Skills for Logistics, the sector skills council for the logistics industry.

Kate Hessian

01869 353 800

kate.hessian@razor-pr.com

Notes to Editors
Razor (www.razor-pr.com) is a public relations and issues management consultancy that specialises in crisis preparedness, issues management and crisis handling in the European food industry. The company also runs corporate communications, media relations and internal communications programmes and runs communications training courses. It is a member of the Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association.