This story was first listed in PR Week.
The full-service comms group MHP Group was appointed following a formal tender process, which began in September. Sodali & Co (formerly Powerscourt) had been the incumbent agency for the past 10 years since June 2015.
As the retained UK strategic communications adviser, MHP Group will help Airbus position itself as a “cornerstone of the UK’s high-value manufacturing, technology, and skills economy”, by “showcasing its leadership in the commercial aircraft, defence, space and helicopter sectors”, the agency said.
Airbus is the UK’s largest civil aerospace company. Beyond commercial aviation, the company is also a key supplier to the Royal Air Force, a provider of space satellite technology, and is responsible for around half of the UK’s civil helicopter fleet.
Airbus Group generated revenue of €69.2bn (£60.2bn) in 2024. It employs around 157,000 people globally, including more than 12,000 in the UK.
Ian Middleton, head of national communications coordination in the UK & EU at Airbus, said: “We are delighted to appoint MHP Group following a highly competitive tender process. We were impressed by their ambitious, data-led creative platform, which will be crucial as we look to deepen understanding of Airbus’s full contribution to the UK. MHP has the right strategic and creative capabilities to be our partner for this next chapter and we are excited to get started.”
