Mumbai: Havas has acquired a majority stake in Acento Public Affairs, Spain’s leading public affairs consultancy, marking a significant milestone in positioning H/Advisors as a clear leader in strategic advisory communications across the Iberian region. Founded in 2019, Acento is led by co-CEOs Alfonso Alonso and Pepe Blanco and employs more than 50 professionals across offices in Madrid, Barcelona and Brussels.
Following the transaction, Acento will be immediately integrated into H/Advisors, Havas’ global communications and public affairs advisory network. The firm will rebrand as H/Advisors and continue to operate under the leadership of Alfonso Alonso and Pepe Blanco. The integration will further strengthen H/Advisors’ international advisory capabilities in Spain, in coordination with a global network of 1,500 professionals across 50 offices worldwide.
The acquisition builds on H/Advisors’ strong expansion momentum, following a series of strategic investments in recent years across key global markets. These include Gauly Advisors in Germany, Cunha Vaz & Associados (CV&A) in Portugal, Australian Public Affairs (APA) in Australia and Klareco Communications in Singapore. H/Advisors has been present in Spain since 2022, following the acquisition of Tinkle.
Commenting on the development, Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and CEO of Havas, said, “Spain and Portugal are strong markets for Havas, and we are very proud to mark this new phase of leadership for H/Advisors together with our colleagues at Acento, Cunha Vaz, and Tinkle. We are thrilled to welcome Alfonso, Pepe and the entire team at Acento to the Havas family. They will set the benchmark in strategic advisory communications for other regions.”
Alfonso Alonso, co-CEO of Acento, said, “Joining H/Advisors represents the next natural step for us, and we feel very much at home as we share the same vision, values, and commitment to senior-level advisory for clients operating in complex environments.” He added, “We are becoming part of a major multinational group that is firmly committed to top-tier public affairs, allowing us to become truly global.”
European affairs remain a strategic priority for H/Advisors. Over the past year, the network has strengthened its presence in Brussels with the opening of a new building in the heart of the city, bringing together teams from Acento Brussels and Gauly Advisors, reinforcing its capabilities at the European Union headquarters.
Stéphane Fouks, Executive Chairman of H/Advisors and Executive Vice President of Havas, added, “This acquisition is a strong way to start the year and reflects the momentum of H/Advisors as we look toward 2026. Public affairs and strategic communications are increasingly central in helping our clients navigate political, regulatory, and reputational complexity. Strengthening our leadership in Spain and Europe, alongside continued investment in priority growth markets such as the United States, is essential to our ambition to build a truly international advisory group.”
