Maja Pawinska Sims 16 Dec 2022 // 6:27PM GMT
LONDON — The Romans has introduced a universal 10% pay rise across its London office as a reaction to the UK’s economic climate, effective immediately.
Almost 70 employees stand to benefit from the deal, which has been designed to mirror UK rates of inflation and will be funded from agency profit without affecting rate card or cost of sale to clients.
Last month, PRovoke media reported that 48.3% of PR professionals are seeking a pay rise.
The Romans CEO Joe Mackay-Sinclair (pictured, right) said: “Forget all those awards, this is easily our all-time career highlight. It’s easy to talk ‘people before profits’ but scratch the surface and too often it’s the same old networks and same old dudes making bank off the backs of the industry’s brightest and best.
“Our team has grafted as hard as imaginable for the past few years: they got us through Covid and they’ll get us through the impending recession. They should absolutely be paid a salary that allows them to not just survive, but thrive. This is what putting your money where your mouth looks like.”
Partner Lucy McGettigan (pictured, left) added: “You can’t expect a team to have great ideas for clients when they’re stressed about heating their homes or buying a round of drinks. It’s as simple as that. We could not be prouder of this industry-leading initiative that is reflective of our ongoing commitment to hiring and retaining the absolute best talent in the industry. We can’t think of a better way to thank them for their hard work this year.”
The Romans had fee income of approximately £6.5 million last year and was one of the fastest-growing agencies in the UK. Its client list includes Unilever, Lidl, Ovo Energy, Method, Ecover and Jameson.