Our Vision

Better Decisions make better business

We believe that all organisations have control over their reputations. Reputation is a consequence of the decisions you take – directly and indirectly – as much as the context in which you operate.

Far better to evaluate the potential impacts of a decision as you make it, than to try to manage consequences down the line.

“You can’t talk your way out of something you have behaved your way into.”

Stephen R. Covey

The drive to relieve immediate pressure must not undermine long-held values or commitments. For too long, corporate affairs and communications advisors have been too quick to offer a PR fix to a strategic reputational business challenge. Communications can’t – and should not attempt to – fix strategic reputational challenges.

By applying approaches rooted in risk management, organisations can safeguard their reputational capital. We help our clients to establish control, identify their choices in the toughest situations and anticipate how they could play out.

In simple terms, we help them to take better decisions when the stakes are highest, because we believe that better decisions make better business.

“In the wake of scandals involving organisations that appeared to put protecting reputation above acting upon hard truths, managing reputational risk has become a byword for obfuscation and poor behaviour.

“It should not be. Securing long-term trust is about taking conscious leadership decisions to deliver on an organisation’s commitments and values – or to explain honestly when and why you can’t. As well as helping organisations of all kinds to anticipate emerging risks, we hold up a mirror and provide honest counsel on how they are delivering against stakeholder expectations.”

George Hutchinson, CEO and Founder, River Effra