SEC SpA's the leading independent PR and advocacy agency in Italy with offices also in Germany, Spain, Brussels, Poland and the UK.

''We have completed our programme in Europe with the exception of France ... which will be the next step'', says managing director Cesare Valli.

''We serve big banks like Deutsche Bank, we serve large multi-nationals like Shell, Nestle.''

''We want to grow and serve even more so that's why we're trying to expand our footprint''.

Just this week they've announced they're pumping £3mln into Porta Communications PLC (LON:PTCM), the communications, marketing and advertising conglomerate.

Most recently they announced they're to take a strategic equity stake in Porta, SEC has signed a commercial collaboration agreement with them that will see the pair share business opportunities and platforms.