Bell Pottinger collapses following racism scandal

PR firm was deserted by clients for its role in a racially--charged campaign in South Africa

The offices which house the headquarters of Bell Pottinger LLP in London, England. Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
The offices which house the headquarters of Bell Pottinger LLP in London, England. Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

Bell Pottinger LLP collapsed on Tuesday after the public relations agency led a racially-charged political campaign in South Africa that prompted a client exodus.

Having lost customers, partners and its second-biggest shareholder in recent weeks, the company was put into administration by accountants BDO, entering a form of creditor protection after it failed to find a buyer.

“Following an immediate assessment of the financial position, the administrators have made a number of redundancies,” BDO said.

“The administrators are now working with the remaining partners and employees to seek an orderly transfer of Bell Pottinger’s clients to other firms in order to protect and realise value for creditors.”

READ MORE

Reuters

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Listen to the Inside Business podcast for a look at business and economics from an Irish perspective

  • Sign up to the Business Today newsletter for the latest new and commentary in your inbox