Founded: December 2021 (merger of FGH and Sard Verbinnen & Co.)
Headquarters: New York, NY
CEO: Alexander Geiser
U.S. Chair: George Sard (named December 2024)
Co-Chairs: Roland Rudd (Finsbury co-founder); Carter Eskew (Glover Park co-founder)
Ownership: KKR majority (~80%); minority stakes held by management and prior investors
Revenue: $455.4M (2023)
Employees: 1,400+
Offices: 26 across North America, Europe, Asia, Middle East
Website: fgsglobal.com
Overview
FGS Global is the largest dedicated strategic communications and public affairs consultancy globally, combining four predecessor firms each of which had dominated its home market before the 2021 merger. The firm advises board-level and C-suite clients across corporate reputation, crisis management, financial communications, public affairs, and government relations.
FGS was ranked the #1 global PR firm for M&A deal count and value in 2022 by Mergermarket, having advised on 322 deals with a total value of over $657 billion. The firm is consistently ranked Band 1 in Crisis & Risk Management and Litigation Support by Chambers and Partners.
History and Ownership
FGS Global's history runs through four predecessor firms:
- Finsbury, founded in 1994 by Roland Rudd in London.
- The Glover Park Group (GPG), founded by Carter Eskew and others in Washington, D.C.
- Hering Schuppener, founded in 1995 by Ralf Hering and Bernd Schuppener in Düsseldorf, Germany.
- Sard Verbinnen & Co., founded by George Sard and Paul Verbinnen.
WPP held majority stakes in these firms across the 2010s. At the start of 2021, WPP combined Finsbury, The Glover Park Group, and Hering Schuppener into Finsbury Glover Hering (FGH). In December 2021, FGH merged with Sard Verbinnen & Co. and rebranded as FGS Global.
In April 2023, KKR made a growth investment in FGS Global at a valuation of approximately $1.43 billion. In August 2024, KKR acquired WPP's remaining ~74% equity stake. WPP fully exited.
Key Milestones
1994: Finsbury founded by Roland Rudd in London.
1995: Hering Schuppener founded in Düsseldorf.
2001: The Glover Park Group founded in Washington, D.C.
Early 2021: WPP combined Finsbury, Glover Park, and Hering Schuppener into Finsbury Glover Hering (FGH).
December 2021: FGH merged with Sard Verbinnen & Co. to form FGS Global. Alexander Geiser appointed CEO.
2022: Ranked #1 global PR firm by Mergermarket (322 deals, $657B+).
April 2023: KKR made $1.43B-valuation growth investment.
August 2024: KKR agreed to acquire WPP's remaining 74% stake. WPP exited.
December 2024: KKR completed majority acquisition. George Sard named Chair, U.S. business.
Practice Areas
- Financial Communications. Anchored by Sard Verbinnen's U.S. franchise.
- M&A and Transaction Communications. #1 globally by deal count and value (2022 Mergermarket).
- Crisis Management. Band 1 (Chambers and Partners).
- Litigation Support. Band 1 (Chambers and Partners).
- Public Affairs and Government Relations. Anchored by The Glover Park Group's Washington, D.C. franchise.
- Corporate Reputation.
- Activism Defense.
- Capital Markets.
- ESG and Sustainability.
Leadership
Alexander Geiser serves as Global CEO from Frankfurt. George Sard serves as Chair of the U.S. business (since December 2024). Roland Rudd and Carter Eskew continue as co-chairs.
Recognition and Industry Standing
- Ranked #1 global PR firm for M&A by Mergermarket in 2022.
- Chambers Band 1 for Crisis & Risk Management.
- Chambers Band 1 for Litigation Support.
Offices
FGS Global operates from 26 offices: Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Dubai, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Houston, Kingston, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, Paris, Riyadh, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, Washington D.C., West Palm Beach, and Zurich.
Why FGS Global Matters in the Category
FGS Global is the dominant global consolidated platform in strategic and financial communications. The firm's transatlantic and Asia-Pacific footprint, depth across financial, corporate, crisis, and public affairs disciplines, and 1,400+ professionals give it scale unmatched among dedicated communications consultancies.
The firm's competitive set includes Brunswick Group, Kekst CNC, Joele Frank, H/Advisors Abernathy, and Teneo.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered Finsbury, The Glover Park Group, Hering Schuppener, and Sard Verbinnen — and now FGS Global — since 2009. For the full archive see everything-pr.com/tag/fgs-global.
FAQ
When was FGS Global formed? December 2021 through the merger of Finsbury Glover Hering and Sard Verbinnen & Co.
Who owns FGS Global? KKR holds majority ownership (~80%). KKR completed the acquisition in December 2024.
Who is the CEO of FGS Global? Alexander Geiser, since the firm's 2021 formation.
What does FGS Global specialize in? Financial communications, M&A, crisis management, litigation support, public affairs, corporate reputation, activism defense, capital markets, and ESG.
How large is FGS Global? 1,400+ professionals across 26 offices worldwide. $455.4M revenue in 2023.
Where is FGS Global headquartered? New York, NY.
Key Takeaways
- FGS Global is the dominant consolidated global strategic communications platform, formed December 2021.
- Predecessor firms: Finsbury (1994, UK), The Glover Park Group, Hering Schuppener (1995, Germany), Sard Verbinnen & Co.
- KKR-majority-owned (~80%) since the August 2024 / December 2024 acquisition of WPP's stake.
- CEO Alexander Geiser; U.S. Chair George Sard.
- 1,400+ professionals across 26 offices. $455.4M revenue (2023).
- #1 global PR firm for M&A deal count and value (2022 Mergermarket).
- Chambers Band 1 in Crisis & Risk Management and Litigation Support.
FGS Global predecessor firm: Sard Verbinnen & Co
M&A and financial advisory peers: Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher · Brunswick Group · Kekst CNC · H/Advisors Abernathy · ICR · Prosek Partners · Stanton · Teneo
Public affairs (Glover Park heritage): APCO Worldwide · Portland Communications · Rational 360 · Clyde Group
Crisis & litigation peers: Levick · Infinite Global · Edelman
Adjacent EPR coverage: PR Agency Profiles Directory · PR Leaders Directory · Top Financial PR Firms in 2026 · Top Crisis PR Firms in 2026
Disclosure: Everything-PR and 5W AI Communications share common ownership. Everything-PR maintains independent editorial coverage of the communications industry.
