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FGS Global

Global strategic advisor for stakeholder economy

Overview

FGS Global acts as a strategic advisor for the stakeholder economy, helping organizations manage relationships with investors, employees, customers, communities, and governments. It delivers advisory services—strategy, risk and issue assessment, communications, and governance guidance—through client engagements using a global team and network. It focuses on the stakeholder economy with deep expertise and a global footprint, enabling multinational, coordinated guidance. Its goal is to help clients create durable value for all stakeholders by aligning strategy, communications, and governance with broader social interests.

Significant Headcount Growth

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About FGS Global

Simplify's Rating
Why FGS Global is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Data & AnalyticsConsultingSocial Impact

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Acquired

Total Funding

$74.3M

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

1994

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What believers are saying

  • October 14, 2026 Russell Group deal deepens food, agriculture, and Washington policy coverage.
  • August 5, 2026 RFA added financial services and energy advocacy revenue streams.
  • March 2026 equity advisory hires strengthen investor relations work for boards and IPOs.

What critics are saying

  • KKR bought majority control in 2024, sharpening exit pressure and margin discipline.
  • Rapid acquisitions of RFA, Russell Group, and Tarplin strain integration across 31 markets.
  • A major integration failure destroys the cross-sell thesis.

What makes FGS Global unique

  • FGS Global built integrated policy, communications, and crisis platform through RFA and Tarplin.
  • It now spans 31 markets and 1,400 employees after October 2026 expansion.
  • Hires like Tim Davie, Focco Vijselaar, and Nathalie Wappler deepen elite access.

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Funding

Total Funding

$74.3M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

0 Rounds

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Paid Time Off

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

18%

1 year growth

18%

2 year growth

18%
Provoke Media
Nov 3rd, 2026
SEC Newgate recruits John Hobday from FGS to lead Middle East operations.

SEC Newgate recruits John Hobday from FGS to lead Middle East operations. Hobday joins after seven years as partner at FGS, where he was charged with the development of its regional business with a specific focus on its capital markets. Paul Holmes 03 Nov 2026 // 3:47PM GMT DUBAI - SEC Newgate has appointed John Hobday as the new CEO of SEC Newgate Middle East, which has operations in Dubai and Riyadh. He joins after seven years as partner in FGS Global's Dubai office, where he was charged with the development of its regional business with a specific focus on its capital markets practice. Hobday takes on the role following the decision of former CEO and founding partner Elena Gramatica to move to the US for family reasons. He brings more than 25 years' experience in financial communications and corporate affairs advising global corporations, Middle East institutions, investors and key regional players across all GCC markets. He began his career in London and moved to Dubai in 2003 to establish Citigate Middle East - later acquired by FTI Condulting - a pioneer in financial and corporate communications in the Gulf region. According to SEC Newgate CEO Fiorenzo Tagliabue, "A stronger integration with the group's international offering is also a priority in order to expand the combination of financial comms, corporate diplomacy, crisis management and institutional relations advice in Middle East markets as well as adding support in the Gulf for international investments projects. "The Middle East is one of our key strategic priorities as we see increasing demand for strategic advice, especially in our core specialism area of corporate affairs." Article tags News direct to your inbox The agency playbook. The PR industry's most comprehensive listing of firms from every region and specialty.

MEPRA
Nov 3rd, 2026
SEC Newgate appoints John Hobday as the new CEO and head of Middle East.

SEC Newgate appoints John Hobday as the new CEO and head of Middle East. · John Hobday brings more than 25 years of experience in financial communications and corporate affairs and a deep understanding of GCC markets to boost the Group's development in one of its priority markets. Dubai, UAE, 3 November 2026: SEC Newgate, the global insight, communications and advocacy group, has appointed John Hobday as the new CEO of SEC Newgate Middle East, with operations in Dubai and Riyadh. John steps in following the decision of former CEO and founding partner Elena Gramatica to move to the US for family reasons. John Hobday brings more than 25 years' experience in financial communications and corporate affairs advising global corporations, Middle East institutions, investors and key regional players across all GCC markets. John joins after seven years as partner in FGS Global's Dubai office, where he was charged with the development of its regional business with a specific focus on its capital markets practice. Hobday began his career in London and moved to Dubai in 2003 to establish Citigate Middle East - the first specialist financial and corporate communications business to set up in the GCC. Citigate Middle East was acquired by Financial Dynamics in 2006, which was itself acquired by FTI Consulting later that year. John continued to spearhead the Middle East operations of FTI as Senior Managing Director until his departure in 2017. SEC Newgate Middle East counts among its clients several large multinationals and local institutions and is a specialist in the luxury, art and culture sectors. Hobday's focus will be on growth and developing this specialism into new sectors. A stronger integration with the Group's international offering is also a priority in order to expand the combination of financial comms, corporate diplomacy, crisis management and institutional relations advice in Middle East markets as well as adding support in the Gulf for international investments projects. Despite increased uncertainty and conflict in the Middle East region, it remains strategically important to the SEC Newgate Group. Fiorenzo Tagliabue, SEC Newgate CEO, said: "The Middle East is one of our key strategic priorities as we see increasing demand for strategic advice, especially in our core specialism area of corporate affairs. John has a perfect profile combining long-term working experience with international brands, full understanding of the Middle East context and an extensive network of relations with key stakeholders and influencers. With John leading our incredible teams in UAE and KSA we can offer the right answers to tackle the many demanding challenges we see in reputation management, investment promotion and business positioning we see arising in these markets. Last and not least I wish to thank Elena Gramatica for her strong leadership and contribution when we decided to start together this business back in 2021." John Hobday said: "SEC Newgate is a significant and growing player in Corporate Affairs and Strategic Communications globally and it is a privilege to join the business as its Middle East CEO. I am thrilled to be joining a brilliant local team who has already built a stellar reputation in the Gulf for strategic insight, sound counsel and excellent execution." Sebastian Hejnowski, Head of Eastern EMEA, added: "Our commitment to the Middle East is long-term and ambitious. We want to continue investing in our people, capabilities and presence across the region, while making the Middle East - that has been a high growth area for the Group so far - an increasingly important part of SEC Newgate's global offering. I am very much looking forward to working with John and our teams in Dubai and Riyadh as we enter the next phase of our growth." SEC Newgate Group wishes Elena all the best in her new chapter and wishes to thank her for 5 years' leadership that produced significant results. Contributed by Sec Newgate

PR Report
Nov 3rd, 2026
News / Nathalie Wappler begins at FGS Global.

News / Nathalie Wappler begins at FGS Global. Nathalie Wappler (photo: SRF/Gian Vaitl) Share article Nathalie Wappler begins at FGS Global The communications consultancy FGS Global in Zurich has recruited former SRF director Nathalie Wappler as a senior advisor. Wappler worked for Swiss Television (SRF) from 2005, initially as an editor for the magazine "Kulturplatz". In 2008, she became editorial head of the series "Sternstunden"; from 2011, she headed the culture department. In 2016, Wappler moved to Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) as program director. In spring 2019, she returned to SRF as director. At the beginning of 2020, she took over the position of deputy director general at the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG). At the end of April this year, Wappler ended her role as SRF director and SRG executive board member. The media manager currently heads the Media Council for Public Broadcasting in Germany. The expert panel, based in Weimar, examines how ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio fulfill their statutory mandate. At FGS Global, according to a LinkedIn post by FGS-CGO Christine Graeff, Wappler is to advise clients on Swiss stakeholder management, strategy and transformation. Tip: Head to PR Report Camp 2026. This year, too, the most important major event for junior talent and young professionals will take place: digitally on November 11 and in person in Berlin on November 12. Free for students, Volos and trainees! Register now! More topics 21.10.2026 08.10.2026 23.10.2026 30.10.2026 29.10.2026 Do you always want to stay up to date?

Central Valley Bean Cooperative
Oct 15th, 2026
Prominent Ag Lobbying Firm The Russell Group Acquired By FGS Global

Prominent Ag Lobbying Firm The Russell Group Acquired By FGS Global | Published on: Oct 15, 2026

GlobeNewswire
Sep 2nd, 2026
PRSA-NY announces 2026 Individual Honorees for the Big Apple Awards.

PRSA-NY announces 2026 Individual Honorees for the Big Apple Awards. Sharon Moshavi, Aaron Kwittken, Ray Day, Rana Foroohar, Judy Smith and Jano Cabrera to be honored September 17 at Sony Hall in New York City. September 02, 2026 10:33 ET | Source: PRSA-NY NEW YORK, Sept. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - PRSA-NY today announced the six distinguished leaders who will receive 2026 Individual Awards at the 39th Annual Big Apple Awards Gala on Thursday, September 17, at Sony Hall in New York City. "They have strengthened independent journalism and access to reliable information; mentored and inspired generations of young talent; elevated communications..." "The talent represented by this year's honorees is extraordinary - these are true legends in their fields. What makes this group even more remarkable is the..." "They have strengthened independent journalism and access to reliable information; mentored and inspired generations of young talent; elevated communications..." "The talent represented by this year's honorees is extraordinary - these are true legends in their fields. What makes this group even more remarkable is the..." This year's honorees represent journalism, business, communication, innovation, mentorship and public service, with careers that demonstrate the extraordinary influence trusted communicators and leaders can have on organizations, institutions and society. The 2026 Individual Honorees are: Sharon Moshavi, President's Award Sharon Moshavi, President of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and Co-CEO of the Plus alliance, will receive the PRSA-NY President's Award, recognizing her leadership and commitment to strengthening journalism at a time when trusted, independent information has never been more important. A journalist herself, Moshavi spent more than 15 years as a reporter, including over a decade as an international correspondent based in Delhi, Jerusalem and Tokyo, before joining ICFJ in 2007 and becoming its president in 2021. Her career reflects a deep commitment to supporting journalists around the world, expanding access to reliable information and helping journalism innovate and adapt while remaining grounded in its essential public service mission. Aaron Kwittken, Mentoring Award Aaron Kwittken, Partner and Global Head of AI and Innovation at FGS Global, will receive the PRSA-NY Mentoring Award, honoring a career that has combined entrepreneurship, innovation and a longstanding commitment to developing and championing the next generation of communication leaders. Over more than three decades, Kwittken has founded and built businesses, advised major organizations and helped lead the profession's embrace of emerging technology and AI. A past president of PRSA-NY and former adjunct professor at NYU, he has consistently made mentorship and service a part of his leadership. That commitment extends from the workplace to the classroom and his community, including establishing the Kwittken Fund for Strategic Communication Internships and Mentoring at George Washington University to help students gain career-building experience and mentorship, as well as serving as a volunteer firefighter in his local community. Throughout his career, Kwittken has created opportunities for emerging talent, generously shared his experience and encouraged others to think bigger about their careers, their potential and the future of the profession. Ray Day, PRSA-NY Lifetime Achievement Award Ray Day, Vice Chair of Stagwell and Executive Chair of Allison Worldwide, will receive the PRSA-NY Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing more than three decades of leadership across some of the world's most influential companies and brands. Day has served as a chief communication officer and senior leader at organizations including IBM and Ford Motor Company, and today helps shape the future of one of the industry's major global networks. Throughout his career, he has championed communication as an essential business discipline, built and led high-performing teams and helped elevate the role and influence of communication leaders in the C-suite. Rana Foroohar, The Daniel J. Edelman Award for Social Impact Rana Foroohar, Global Business Columnist and Associate Editor at the Financial Times, and CNN's Global Economic Analyst will receive The Daniel J. Edelman Award for Social Impact, sponsored by Edelman. One of today's most respected voices on economics and global business, Foroohar has spent her career examining the intersection of markets, technology, politics and public policy. Through her journalism, commentary and books, she has consistently examined how economic and technological power shapes society and individual lives, challenging conventional thinking and bringing clarity and perspective to some of the most consequential issues of our time. Judy Smith, The Barbara Way Hunter Trailblazer Award Judy Smith, Founder and CEO of Smith & Company, will receive The Barbara Way Hunter Trailblazer Award, sponsored by HUNTER, honoring a groundbreaking career that has helped redefine crisis communication while opening doors for generations of leaders who followed her. Known around the world as a trusted crisis advisor, Smith has counseled presidents, world leaders, Fortune 50 CEOs and high-profile individuals through some of their most challenging moments. Before founding Smith & Company, she served as Deputy Press Secretary and Special Assistant to President George H.W. Bush, becoming the first Black woman to brief the White House press corps, and her remarkable career later inspired the hit television series Scandal. A lawyer, entrepreneur, strategist and counselor, Smith has built her career around judgment, trust and the power of communication when the stakes are highest. Jano Cabrera, The Harold Burson Award Jano Cabrera, Chief Communications Officer of General Mills, will receive The Harold Burson Award, sponsored by Burson. The award recognizes a communication leader whose career reflects the strategic counsel, judgment and leadership embodied by Harold Burson, one of the profession's most influential figures. Cabrera's career has taken him from presidential politics and the White House to global consulting and the C-suite, with senior roles at Burson-Marsteller and McDonald's before joining General Mills. A PRWeek Hall of Fame inductee, Cabrera has built his career around understanding the business, listening carefully and earning the trust required to counsel leaders through change, opportunity and complex reputational challenges. "The talent represented by this year's honorees is extraordinary - these are true legends in their fields. What makes this group even more remarkable is the profound impact they've had on the institutions, industries and people around them," said Paul Cohen, PRSA-NY President. "They have strengthened independent journalism and access to reliable information; mentored and inspired generations of young talent; elevated communications as an essential business discipline; held power to account and illuminated some of the defining issues of our time; broken barriers and counseled leaders when the stakes were highest; and helped our profession navigate enormous change. At a moment when trust is fragile, truth is too often under attack and the way people receive information is changing before our eyes, we need examples like these. I could not be prouder that PRSA-NY is honoring Sharon, Aaron, Ray, Rana, Judy and Jano." The 39th Annual Big Apple Awards Gala will take place September 17 at Sony Hall in New York City. This year's theme, "Where Stories Move Hearts, Minds and Markets," celebrates the power of communication and storytelling to influence organizations, communities and culture. The evening will bring together leaders from across public relations, corporate communication, agencies, media and business to recognize the 2026 Individual Honorees, celebrate the year's outstanding Big Apple Award-winning work and honor the next generation of the profession. Tickets and tables are now available for the September 17 celebration at Sony Hall. Secure your tickets or table and join PRSA-NY in celebrating this extraordinary group of leaders and the very best of New York's communication community. Sponsors for 2026 Big Apple Awards PRSA-NY is grateful for the support of its members and the broader PR community, including Big Apple Awards sponsors Edelman, HUNTER, Burson, MikeWorldWide, 360PR+, Truescope, Davis + Gilbert LLP, Baker Tilly x Anchin, The Museum of Public Relations, D S Simon Media, Coyne PR, Bospar and Notified. Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels to join the Sponsor Honor Roll. Contact [email protected] to learn more. About PRSA-NY The Public Relations Society of America, New York Chapter (PRSA-NY), is one of the largest and most influential chapters of PRSA. Serving communication professionals throughout the New York metropolitan area, PRSA-NY provides professional development, education, networking and recognition programs designed to advance the profession and the people who shape it. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at

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