Copper Consultancy, specialists in infrastructure communications and engagement, maintained its consistent growth in 2020 despite challenges created by Covid-19.
The company, which is dedicated to delivering strategic communications to support the development of economic and social infrastructure, achieved 30% revenue growth in 2020. This builds on robust growth in the previous three years, and was supported by the recruitment of 15 new team members during the year, an increase in headcount of almost 30%.
The growth was made possible by exciting new project wins during the last year, including beginning to support critical UK infrastructure schemes including Lower Thames Crossing, A303 Stonehenge construction, A358 upgrade, A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project and HyNet, along with new work to support National Grid, Cadent, ScottishPower and Highways England.
During 2020 Copper launched its Economic Development practice, which has been established to provide consultancy to public sector bodies, local authorities, developers and investors, on policy challenges and strategy development. The practice contributed significantly towards Copper’s success in 2020, with new projects beginning including MHCLG’s Towns Fund, Transport East with development of its long term strategy, and work for West of England Combined Authority.
Copper also introduced a dedicated design, brand and digital communications practice in 2020, which has been formed to offer more impactful and engaging design for major infrastructure companies and projects. It has already delivered brand strategies and digital communications for a number of high profile clients, including Cardiff Parkway, RWE, CKDelta and Highways England.
Discussing the progress of the company, Claire Gordon, Chair of Copper Consultancy said: “Those involved in the delivery of the UK’s essential national infrastructure acted quickly and responsibly in managing the impacts of Covid so as not to lose time. Our strategic approach to project communications and digital engagement became even more critical in the project mix, and its success was a contributing factor to our strong growth.
“Throughout Covid we have experienced much improved collaboration between multi-disciplinary teams, which includes communications and engagement. There is a greater understanding and empathy around others’ roles, particularly concerning the value of communications. This has resulted in much earlier involvement in the planning stages of projects; another contributor to Copper’s growth.
“The sector has been particularly supportive of SMEs during 2020, which is to be applauded. The specialist services we offer have been recognised from Government departments to global organisations and our growth has been fully supported and encouraged. It has been a highly successful year for the business, with much to build on for 2021.”
Copper Consultancy was founded to serve an industry that 25 years ago was all too often misunderstood and misrepresented. Since then, the company has consistently broken new ground, from delivering some of the first ever DCO consultation programmes, to today being at the forefront of digital engagement. Throughout the period, Copper has maintained a consistent and unswerving focus on quality, which has enabled the company to support clients through an enormously challenging year in 2020 and to look ahead with confidence.
