27 July 2023, Melbourne —Communications consultancy, SenateSHJ, announced today it has acquired Forge Communications, the Melbourne-based corporate communications firm founded in 2021 by partners, Scott Thomson and Amy Watson.
The acquisition extends SenateSHJ’s bench of senior corporate advisors and builds on its Australian corporate affairs capabilities, including reputation management, media and stakeholder engagement, and crisis and issues management.
Darren Behar, Managing Partner of SenateSHJ, said: “Our clients face a host of reputation opportunities and challenges, including connecting with stakeholders and navigating complex environments. Communication matters in this environment – and Scott and Amy have the experience and insight to help. We are delighted they chose to join SenateSHJ.”
Scott Thomson said; “We’re thrilled to be joining forces with SenateSHJ. We founded Forge two-and-a-half years ago to focus on doing meaningful work for clients that are making a positive difference in the world. Joining SenateSHJ allows us to immediately expand our reach and impact, with access to a world-class in-house team that shares our values, and a global network of agency partners through the PROI Worldwide consortium.”
Amy Watson said; “With growing environmental, financial, and social complexities, stakeholders are expecting organisations to drive transformative change. SenateSHJ’s focus on bringing new and innovative thinking to reputation and communication challenges is perfectly aligned with Forge’s founding mission, and we are excited to work together to achieve critical business outcomes.”
The Forge team adds over three decades of international corporate communications experience, supporting clients in the public, private and not for profit sectors, and in industries including energy, infrastructure, property, technology, financial services, manufacturing, waste, food and beverage and agriculture.
Thomson and Watson will become SenateSHJ partners and will help drive growth of the consultancy’s corporate communications business.
–ENDS—
Media contact: Darren Behar, +61 458 001 296 or darren@senateshj.com.au
About SenateSHJ
SenateSHJ was founded in 2002, and since that time we have grown to become one of Australasia’s most successful independent consultancies. We have won multiple awards, including being recognised as the 2022 PRovoke Media winner of the Asia-Pacific Corporate/Public Affairs Consultancy of the Year.
Our diverse backgrounds include government, healthcare, journalism, marketing and business consulting, digital and social strategy management, as well as communication consulting. We pride ourselves on our work, our people and our industry.
