Public relations group Huntsworth has acquired Dutko Worldwide, a US public affairs company, for $33.6 million (£20.4 million). 

Public relations group Huntsworth has acquired Dutko Worldwide, a US public affairs company, for $33.6 million (£20.4 million).

Dutko specialises in government lobbying and policy analysis in the US. The company generated revenue of $33.3 million and pre-tax profits of $5.6 million in 2008. Chief executive Mark Irion and the management team will remain with the business.

Peter Chadlington, chief executive of Huntsworth, said that the company had been looking ‘for some time’ for an opportunity to extend its international public affairs network to the US.

In the six months ending June, London-based Huntsworth reported a drop in revenue of 5 per cent to £76.5 million, while pre-tax profits were down by 10 per cent to £11 million.