Corporate affairs agency, Bastion Reputation has expanded its footprint into Canberra with the acquisition of Frank Communications & Advisory. Frank Founder, Lauren Walker (pictured) has been appointed as the agency's ACT-based Principal Consultant, Public Sector and Policy.

Bastion Reputation has worked closely with Frank Communications & Advisory for several years to provide support for clients on engagement with the public sector nationally, and said in an announcement that the acquisition of the Frank business will enable this work to be scaled as a comprehensive national offering.

Lauren Walker brings more than 15 years’ experience working with government, holding strategic advisory roles to Secretaries, Ministers and Senior Executives, as well as working with a number of federal government departments to drive change and manage stakeholders through large and often complex pieces of work.

Managing Director, Clare Gleghorn said: “Lauren Walker, along with the team we’re building in Canberra, is a fantastic addition to Bastion Reputation’s capacity to both support the public sector to deliver its policy programs and assist our clients to navigate and engage with the public sector.

"[Our] acquisition of Frank Communications & Advisory is a significant step for our business as we grow in response to the needs of our clients for a truly national and full-service agency with highly specialised strategic expertise.

“The acquisition builds out our practice areas to seven covering a breadth of specialised services across the corporate and public affairs spectrum led by experts with deep expertise and supported by a talented and diverse team of communications professionals."

Lauren has said of her appointment, “Frank Communications is excited to become part of the Bastion Reputation family, particularly during a period of such significant growth for the company. The expertise and specialist support they offer in communications and stakeholder engagement will be highly sought after in the Canberra market.”

The expansion sees Bastion Reputation join its market research agency partner, Bastion Insights, at Hub Civic Quarter, in the heart of Canberra CBD.