LONDON — Anaplan, the provider of a cloud-based platform used by companies for strategic planning and decision making, has retained Harvard as its first UK agency, as it steps up global communications.

The pitch process saw four agencies compete for the Anaplan account in the UK. Harvard has been briefed to establish Anaplan as a thought leader in business and technology, and reinforce its position as a key enterprise software player.

Based in San Francisco, the SaaS firm has more than 175 partners and 1,600 customers worldwide, and currently has a market capitalisation of $6.8 billion.

Anaplan’s senior director of global communications, Anthony Harrison, said the firm had significant growth ambitions in global markets and was “tooling up its communications teams with best of breed agencies.”

He said: “The opportunity for our business to accelerate its growth is near limitless, but to achieve this requires an appetite for fast-pace, point of view led communications. Harvard will be critical in growing our brand awareness in the UK and establishing us as a visionary thought leader.”

Harvard CEO Ellie Thompson added: “Anaplan is one of the most exciting high-growth technology companies out there right now, addressing a real gap in the market for business planning. The ambition is high, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to match that ambition with great content, great results and a great partnership.”