The chance to play on a wider stage was one of the attractions for Edward Carter and Anne Parry in selling their Birminghambased PR organisation to Cardiff-based Freshwater, writes Graham Sidwell.

The deal, announced before the May Bank Holiday weekend, means a change of name to Quantum Freshwater UK, and, just as important, becoming part of a burgeoning national organisation.

For while it may be good to be local, it cuts little mustard when competing against London- based players.

Mr Carter described how Quantum was on a shortlist of three for a major national account last year, but was beaten by a London agency after the client decided it was too small.

He added: "We have been extremely successful as an independent consultancy, but we now have the opportunity to work as part of a national team as well as promoting the region and our expertise.

"We expect to be able to attract even more high profile national work to the group and to Birmingham.

"The chance to become part of a much larger operation, by joining an entrepreneurial group with a similar culture and innovative approach to PR and marketing, heralds an exciting new beginning.

"Being part of a national network will give us a competitive advantage to add to our experience and knowledge of key business sectors."

Mr Carter, who was at accountant at Ernst & Young before deciding PR was his forte, joined forces with Anne Parry's sportsbased agency to form Quantum in its present form in 1997.