A new PR and public affairs company with a focus on the construction industry and development has launched.

Orbit Communications, based in Edinburgh, has been set up by experienced PR and public affairs professionals Alex Orr, Alex Bruce and James Tout.

The new agency will focus on the trio’s specialist areas including construction, energy, professional services, skills and the planning process.

On the construction side, the firm has already secured clients including the Scottish Building Federation, Taylor Wimpey and Cruden Homes. The company’s development clients include Buccleuch Property, SDA Ltd and AWG.

With over 40 years of experience of working in public relations, public affairs, government and the media between them, the founders say they can offer clients a unique breadth of skills, as well as a friendly and straightforward approach.


Managing Director Alex Orr has led a number of award-winning campaigns including introducing the smoking ban in Scotland. He said: “Although there’s a lively PR and public affairs scene in Scotland already, we feel we’ve got an exceptional range of skills and experience to offer clients something truly unique.

“We’re equally comfortable running a hard-hitting media campaign as briefing politicians in Holyrood, Westminster or Brussels or guiding major developments through the planning process.

“So that means we can offer our clients a totally integrated service that cuts across the artificial barriers some firms put up between their PR, public affairs and community engagement offerings.”

Director Alex Bruce has worked previously as a senior political policy adviser in the European Parliament and as head of government relations for Vauxhall Motors. He added: “As individuals, we’ve already gained a reputation for expertise in a number of areas including renewable energy and the construction sector. We’re looking to build on that and develop a broad mix of clients from different sectors by offering a top-quality, highly competitive service.”

Director James Tout worked in newspaper journalism and for the Scottish Government’s communications department before moving into PR and public affairs consultancy. He added:

“We’re totally upfront and honest with clients. We don’t over-promise and we call a spade a spade. But equally, we always tackle every task with imagination, creativity and enthusiasm. For us, the overriding aim is always to align our work with the client’s business objectives.”

(GK)