Palmer and Harvey, (P&H) the UK’s largest delivered wholesaler, has formally appointed a new retained public relations agency, Velvet Integrated PR, with immediate effect. Velvet PR’s remit will include consumer, business-to-business and corporate activity.

Palmer and Harvey is the fourth-largest privately owned company in the UK, with an annual turnover of more than £4 billion. Its distribution facilities supply independent and multiple convenience retailers, CTN retailers and forecourts, with customers including Tesco, Makro, Esso, Welcome Break, Nestle, Coca-Cola and GSK. In addition it has three Symbol fascias with an estate of over 700 stores and plans for ambitious growth in this area.

The public relations campaign will play a key part in underlining P&H’s core business objectives, which include growing its Mace Symbol offer.

Velvet PR will report to Peter Austen, managing director (commercial) and Richard Hayhoe, marketing director.

Peter Austen, P&H managing director (commercial), says: “This is an exciting time in the company’s development and we have some big plans for the future.

“PR is a key part of that process, which is why we’re looking to boost our profile and raise awareness of the full range of expertise and support that we provide for our customers. We were impressed by Velvet’s creativity, enthusiasm and solid mix of B2B, consumer and corporate experience. The team’s ideas underlined our key business objectives and showed us there’s a lot we can be doing.”

Cardew Group, will continue to handle the company’s financial PR.

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