Hume Brophy

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Hume Brophy is a PR and lobbying firm with offices in London, Dublin and Brussels.

Lobbying for big tobacco

British American Tobacco is one of the firm's major clients, along with shopkeepers' trade body The National Federation of Retail Newsagents, which has fought a high-profile campaign in the fight against a tobacco display ban in UK shops.

In February 2011 the Guardian revealed that Hume Brophy had emailed UK MPs claiming a tobacco display ban would have a "devastating effect on the small business sector in your constituency". [1]

More than 80 MPs backed the federation's campaign – and smaller shops were exempted from the ban on behind-the-counter displays for 18 months, which was a significant victory.
BAT confirmed that Hume Brophy had attended meetings between BAT and the federation in which the campaign was discussed. However, BAT denied it used "underhand tactics" or that the federation was a front for the company.[2]

However a former federation president, Colin Finch told the Guardian: "The federation is a puppet of the tobacco industry." He accused tobacco companies of using "retailers to legitimise their campaign" and said tobacco money flowed into the federation "discreetly" via sponsorship of trade events, annual conferences, seminars, meetings and dinners.[1]

People

Clients

Hume Brophy does not publish a client list but says it works for:[5] Investment banks, Stockbroking firms, Investment management houses, Hedge fund management companies, Funds of hedge funds, Fund administration, Law firms, Accountancy/Audit firms, Insurance brokerages, Mortgage providers, Airports, Industry Associations, Technology groups, Defense and security agencies.

Public Affairs clients

  • Nikko Asset Management - “Hume Brophy presented us with a thorough and proactive plan to position the company as the world’s leading Japanese & Asian fund management company and they have been highly successful in raising our profile with journalists from across the investment spectrum.” Charles Beazley, Nikko AM President (Europe) [10] Also 'Interest Group & Association Management'.
  • Qinetiq - Counsel in regulatory affairs to QinetiQ Airport Technologies. “Given their substantial expertise with the aviation sector, Hume Brophy was the perfect partner for QAT. Hume Brophy designed a comprehensive contact programme with senior airport executives across four continents that provided QAT with a platform to market its automatic FOD detection system. Their assistance in lobbying for regulatory changes at both national and EU level has been first-class.” Phil McLachlan, Managing Director [11]
  • European Travel Retail Council (ETRC). EU Advocacy and Issues Management: “Hume Brophy is a firm that delivers. Their highly-experienced team, understands the intricacies of the decision-making process and knows exactly where you need to be to influence decisions in your favour. In recent years, Hume Brophy’s professional advice and essential guidance has ensured that the European duty-free retail industry has successfully defended its interests against a range of regulatory threats at EU and member-state level.” Keith Spinks, Secretary General, ETRC [12]

Contact

Hume Brophy London Office 31 Davies Street Mayfair London W1K 4LW

Hume Brophy Dublin Office 12 Herbert St Dublin 2 Ireland

Hume Brophy Brussels Office 30 Rue de Spa 1000 Brussels Belgium

Website:http://www.humebrophy.com

References