An ex-council leader of Kensington and Chelsea has been announced as the new executive chairman of Kingston Council leader Kevin Davis' PR firm.
Coun Davis said he would no longer take PR work within the borough after being elected leader in May.
Cratus had helped present plans for the old Gala Bingo hall last year, and Amro, the company behind the new student flats at 1, Penryhn Road, as well as working on the proposal for floating homes on the Surbiton filter beds.
Sir Merrick Cockell, chairman of the Local Government Association, was appointed to the Cratus Communications board this week.
A statement on Cratus' website said Sir Merrick "will lead Cratus’ work in helping the private and voluntary sectors better understand how they can work at a local level".
He will also chair the company's board.
Sir Merrick is also Conservative councillor for Kensington and Chelsea, and was leader of the council for 13 years before stepping down in 2013.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here