Virtualstock, a UK technology company which is helping the NHS and some of the UK’s leading retailers including John Lewis, Argos and Sainsbury’s to adapt and survive in the digital age, has appointed MHP as its retained health and retail PR adviser.

Virtualstock’s cloud-based solution, known as The Edge, is helping retailers meet rapidly changing consumer demands in a digital world by innovating supply chain procedures. It comes at a time when technology is disrupting the industry and household retailers such as House of Fraser, Toys R Us, Maplin and Poundland have fallen into administration over the past year.  

As well as providing its services to six of the UK’s top 10 retailers, the Company also offers its services to the NHS, helping hospital trusts to delivery efficiencies when money is tight. Under the brand, Edge4Health, it enables hospital staff to order products and services from a single marketplace.

The MHP team - led by Andrew Jaques, executive chairman of MHP Capital Markets; Simon Hockridge, director of Capital Markets and Rachel Rowson, head of health innovation – has been tasked with promoting Virtualstock’s technology across the retail and health sectors.

The appointment strengthens MHP’s roster of retail clients, which includes Young’s, Dunelm, Mothercare and JD Sports; and health innovation clients, which include Align Technology and Bayer Healthcare. It is the latest significant win for the agency; last month Nationwide Building Society appointed MHP to a wide-ranging corporate and public affairs brief following a competitive pitch.

Andrew Jaques, executive chairman of MHP Capital Markets, says,  “The consumer landscape is undergoing a major structural shift, not least due to the impact of online retail, and businesses are having to adapt to a new environment. Virtualstock’s solution helps retailers to navigate these changing dynamics and we are delighted to have been chosen to advise them on communicating their story as they embark on further growth.”

Rachel Rowson, MHP’s head of health innovation, says, “I am delighted that Virtualstock has joined our growing portfolio of clients focused on innovation and disrupting the status quo in healthcare.  It is fantastic to be working in partnership with the Virtualstock team, to help them embed their technology in the NHS, which will streamline procurement systems and help the NHS to save money.”

Andrew Mills, CEO of Virtualstock, says, “We are delighted to have appointed MHP as our PR advisers. Not only are they first class players in corporate communications, but their creative approach to, and track record of, building corporate reputations will be key for us as we grow. We much look forward to working with the team.”