The acquisition of WPI Strategy by PPHC is, on its face, a sensible move. A specialist economics and policy consultancy with a strong track record joins a fully integrated public affairs group. As a result, the combined team has more than sixty personnel, and everyone wins. But if one zooms out, it is clear that the deal is the latest instalment in a story that is quietly reshaping the UK public affairs landscape. Indeed, the independent boutique firm is fast becoming an endangered species. WPI becomes the twelfth brand under PPHC's umbrella, joining a roster that includes Forbes Tate Partners, Crossroads Strategies and others. The group has made it clear that further investment in "specialist firms across major political and policy centres" is very much part of the plan.  The appeal of the boutique has always been its distinctiveness. WPI built its reputation on something rare: in-house economics capability partnered up with political and policy consulting. That combination won i...