LONDON--The Scout Association has retained Portland Communications following a comprehensive review.

The UK's largest co-ed volunteer movement has previously worked with Portland, and selected the firm following a pitch that featured three other UK agencies. A Scout Association spokesman confirmed the decision.

"We reappoint Portland as our PA and PR support agency following a four way pitch," said marketing and communications assistant director Simon Carter. "All those agencies we saw gave strong presentations and it was not an easy choice. The selection team felt Portland would offer the best support to us at this stage in our development as a growing and relevant, volunteer lead youth movement seeking to create positive impact with diverse communities across the UK."

The assignment encompasses public affairs, policy and reputation counsel. The 105-year-old movement has led some high-profile public affairs programmes in recent years, successfully campaigning for protection from the "rain tax" and  against rent and rates increases.

"We are excited to be continuing our successful partnership with the Scouts," said Portland partner Martin Sheehan. "We have loved supporting its growth and developing award-winning campaigns together on the issues that matter to Scouts. We look forward to the next steps together."

Last year the Scout Association relaunched Scout Community Week, positioning it in line with David Cameron's Big Society agenda. The organization currently counts more than half a million youth members in the country.