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Brighton Housing Trust has acquired Hove-based PR agency Blue Rocket Group in a move designed to diversify revenue streams for the charity, whose mission is to combat homelessness in Brighton, Hove, Hastings and Eastbourne.

It is believed to be the first time that a charity has acquired a PR business. Brighton Housing Trust is also acquiring Blue Rocket's sister company Green Rocket, which specialises in environmental campaigns.

The acquisition has been made by BHT Enterprises, which was established last year to allow the trust to undertake income generating activities that are not permitted by its charter. Its profits are gift aided to Brighton Housing Trust for tax efficiency purposes.

Andy Winter, the trust's chief executive, said the acquisitions mark 'an exciting stage in BHT's long term ambitions of developing profitable social enterprises. This move will help us generate unrestricted additional income for the Trust and offer increased work placement, training and employment opportunities for vulnerable people.'

While admitting that some outsiders might view the acquisition as surprising, Winter said it made 'perfect commercial sense'.

He added: 'Through the gift-aiding of profits we will continue to focus on our primary aim of tackling homelessness. This means providing opportunities for those with an unsettled way of life and promoting change for the benefit of individual service users and the community in which we work.'

Blue Rocket's founder Kim Stoddart will remain as a consultant. Account director Vicky Hoad will lead the team, who are all staying on, and manage the business.   

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