Copper’s strategic appointments have been made to further strengthen the infrastructure specialist’s senior management team. Sam Cranston re-joins Copper as a Director, following two years at London Communications Agency, and Patrick Traynor joins as an Account Director from Newington Communications.
Following years of continued growth and further planned expansion, Sam and Patrick bring significant expertise in public engagement, communications, public affairs and campaigning. Both appointees will support the senior team to build Copper’s strong foundations in the infrastructure sector.
Copper has also added new talent to its junior account facing team with the appointments of Aliba Haque and Jonathan Surridge, both of whom are recent Politics and International Relations graduates from Goldsmiths University and University of Bath, respectively.
Sam is an experienced consultation and engagement consultant, specialising in planning and infrastructure and has worked on some of the UK’s most high-profile infrastructure projects across transport, energy and the built environment. In recent years he has provided strategic comms, media and engagement support on a wide range of projects and clients, including Crossrail, Highways England, Vattenfall Wind Power, National Grid, HS2, Manston Airport and the Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Programme.
Commenting on his arrival, Sam said: “It is an extremely exciting time to re-join Copper Consultancy. In the two years since I was last here, the agency has grown significantly, both in numbers of staff and its influence within the infrastructure sector.
Infrastructure development in the UK is set to play a pivotal role over the coming decade as the UK recovers from the impact of Covid-19 and seeks to meet its ambitious climate targets. As part of Copper’s senior management team, I’m motivated to support clients to overcome the challenges facing the sector through the delivery of outcome driven services and strategies.”
Patrick is a highly-skilled public affairs and stakeholder engagement practitioner. He brings to Copper a wealth of experience in parliamentary engagement and political campaigning. He has worked with high profile clients across a range of different sectors, including housing and infrastructure, at both a national and European level.
Patrick is experienced in preparing and implementing public affairs strategies for clients, identifying opportunities for them to engage with and influence policymaking. Recently, he was seconded to The Office of Road and Rail to lead on the creation of new external communications plans.
Patrick said: “I am thrilled to be joining Copper as the agency looks to continue to grow and expand the services that it offers to clients. The return to economic growth following Covid-19 will be dependent on new infrastructure and I am looking forward to supporting Copper’s clients in making the case for these projects at all levels of government.”
Copper Vice Chair Linda Taylor commented on the appointments: “The new talent we have attracted to Copper means we are in an even stronger position to help clients overcome some of the most intractable challenges faced by the infrastructure industry.
The strategic appointments of Sam and Patrick will further strengthen our senior team. Their combined experience will be pivotal when it comes to helping clients managing risks they face and contributing to Copper’s continued success as a leading communications consultancy.”
Copper is currently recruiting additional talent to help deliver a range of exciting projects across its Economic Development, Construction, and Infrastructure sectors.
To find out about our latest job opportunities, visit our careers page or get in touch at careers@copperconsultancy.com.
