Industry‑leading built environment communications consultancies Kanda and Concilio will merge businesses, bringing the two highly respected firms together under the Kanda brand to form a stronger, more dynamic offer for clients across the sector.
The deal - set to formally complete by the 1st of June 2026 - marks a significant moment for both organisations and reflects their shared ambition to deliver deeper insight, broader capability and enhanced senior counsel at a time of rapid political change in the built environment landscape.
A unified consultancy built for the post‑election environment
By coming together, Kanda and Concilio unite a fully integrated communications offer - covering planning communications, strategic communications and media relations, political counsel and community engagement - with unrivalled insight into inner and outer London, regional markets and cross‑party political dynamics. Together, the united consultancy will offer a more powerful combination of national reach and local intelligence, positioning the business to support clients navigating the opportunities and complexities of the post‑local‑election environment.
Karen Alcock, Founder and CEO at Kanda Consulting, commented: “This merger represents a natural and exciting evolution for both our organisations. By joining forces, we will create the UK’s largest independent built-environment focused agency, with the breadth, depth and experience required to help clients thrive in a fast‑shifting and more fragmented political and development landscape.”
Concilio Founder and Managing Director, Nick Dines, said, “There’s a real energy in bringing our two teams together. We share values, ambition and a belief in working collaboratively and thoughtfully. Combining our strengths allows us to offer clients the scale and insight they need - without losing the personal, senior‑led approach they value.”
A consultancy with a forward‑looking growth agenda
As Kanda enters its next phase, our combined consultancy strengthens and broadens the support available to clients, who will have access to a broader and more sophisticated suite of services. These include enhanced multi-party political engagement to reflect a more fragmented landscape, as well as elevated creative / digital community engagement. We will be supporting clients with a transformational and responsible approach to AI, along with enhanced B2B studio support.
A unified and expanded team under the Kanda brand
The new business will offer a 55+ strong team operating under the respected Kanda brand, with a strengthened senior leadership team that will see Karen Alcock step into the newly created role of CEO and Nick Dines join as Managing Director alongside currently Deputy MD, Simon Gartshore and a strong team of specialist Directors that provide senior, strategic advice and guidance. Clients will benefit from increased capacity, wider senior expertise and an expanded geographic footprint - while retaining the trusted relationships and service continuity they rely on.
A forward‑looking partnership
Work to integrate the two businesses will begin immediately following formal completion, with both teams focused on ensuring a smooth and positive transition for clients, partners and employees.