The account is thought to be worth a ‘six-figure’ sum. MHP’s brief includes helping mytaxi have a voice in the debate about the future of mobility in the UK and to shape the app’s strategic approach to key policy initiatives in a highly regulated industry in the UK and regionally.
The brief also includes providing mytaxi with a voice around safety and standards of the sector.
Mytaxi is part of the Free Now group, the ride-hailing joint venture between BMW and Daimler and operates across more than 100 European cities and beyond. Teneo Blue Rubicon led on public affairs and PR strategy after mytaxi merged and rebranded with Hailo in 2016.
"As mytaxi moves into an exciting new phase in the UK, pushing for increased standards and competition across the sector and moving into the mobility space, MHP is the perfect partner to help us achieve our goals and deliver for both drivers and passengers alike," mytaxi UK general manager David Savage said.
www.prweek.com
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New security precautions are being considered at Birmingham Council House and more support provided for councillors amid rising levels of 'hate' and harassment.
The trigger for the review of new measures came earlier this month when angry taxi drivers confronted members of the city's licensing committee.
Some councillors reported feeling intimidated and left the meeting room as cabbies voiced protests against a new emissions policy which they say could damage their trade and livelihoods.
It was the latest incident amid rising concerns among some councillors about personal harassment and abuse.
For some councillors the personal abuse they have endured has got so bad they have considered quitting; others have retreated from social media and even avoided public events under police advice after particularly nasty anonymous threats.
"You get to the point where you feel you are going to have a breakdown if you carry on, and you think about quitting. This is not about legitimate criticism and political dispute, which can be painful but is fair," said one councillor, Nicky Brennan (Lab, Sparkhill).
"This is harassment driven by a desire to undermine people, particularly women. I have been afraid in my own home; I have been advised not to hold public surgeries for constituents after one particularly horrible threat. That is just not on."
Cllr Brennan has previously spoken out about the level of abuse she has endured since being elected as a councillor last year. "It seems to be a regular feature of being in public life for women. I have been threatened with rape and violence, called stupid, called all sorts of swearwords.
"I've had hardcore pornography sent to me, usually when I've been talking about domestic violence, or rape, or sexual assault."
She said she wanted more done to support councillors facing abuse, including counselling support.
Her views were echoed by the city council's deputy leader Brigid Jones, who spoke frankly about the issues that she had experienced personally and her desire to ensure her fellow councillors felt safe going about their work.
She said the recent confrontational licensing meeting at the Council House, combined with individual concerns raised by several councillors, had triggered a review of security.
"As local politicians we do not have police protection or access to the level of advice that MPs have, nor is the Council House or other places where we carry out our work subject to protective security blocks and bag searches and so on.
"Yet many of the issues we deal with do arouse extreme emotions.
"We take decisions that affect people's personal lives, their families, their livelihoods and jobs.
"We have had to make cuts for four years in a row. Particularly over the last couple of years, we have not been meeting expectations and cannot afford to save all services, or need to impose measures that are unwelcome. Naturally people get angry."
Said Coun Jones: "The behaviour that happened at licensing (over taxi services) was horrendous. As a result we have asked for a review of security at council meetings.
"The principle of open democracy and keeping meetings open to all is really important but we also need to ensure we are robust in the level of security we provide."
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Jaguar Land Rover is looking at a deal to acquire a London taxi firm heavily involved in driverless passenger transport.
Addison Lee, which is the second biggest taxi firm in the capital behind Uber, has been put up for sale by its current owners the Carlyle Group.
JLR is up against other car manufacturers, private equity firms and tech companies, according to reports in the Sunday Telegraph.
Bank of America and Rothschild have been hired to find a buyer for the firm, which is valued at around £300m.
Jaguar Land Rover has had its share of troubles in recent years, and analysts have suggested that this move would position JLR better for future developments in the industry, including driverless technology.
Addison Lee has been involved in bringing this technology into the taxi sector. It announced in November 2018 that it was to lead a £15m government-backed consortium to help launch self-driving passenger cars in the capital by 2021.
In its most recent available accounts, Addison Lee posted revenues of £345.7m for the year to 31 August 2017, up from £263.9m the year before. However Addison Lee has had its own troubles, facing app-based services like Uber. It reported a loss of £20.8m for the year, compared to a profit of £10.5m in the previous period.
http://www.thebusinessdesk.com
Comment: The upcoming demo might not help these negotiations:
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