News | Copper continues UK and Ireland expansion

Copper Consultancy, the specialist communications agency dedicated to supporting sustainable infrastructure, has announced continued expansion with new offices in Scotland and Ireland, alongside senior appointments. 

Copper now has offices spread across the UK, in Wales (Cardiff), Scotland (Glasgow), and Ireland (Dublin), as well as multiple locations across England including Manchester, Birmingham, and London. The business continues to grow its operations sustainably and recruit accordingly to build on its 110+ headcount.  

As the UK and Ireland’s sustainable infrastructure sectors continue their robust growth following recent regulatory decisions and increased investment into decarbonisation, the expansion places Copper at the forefront of supporting clients in sectors from renewable energy to sustainable transportation with the entirety of their communication and engagement needs. 

Discussing the news, Ben Heatley, managing partner at Copper said: “As a business dedicated to supporting sustainable infrastructure projects from start to finish, we are seeing substantial opportunities in key growth sectors across the whole of the UK and Ireland. Our regional growth into Ireland, Scotland and Wales will enable us to contribute to the most transformative infrastructure projects. Copper is committed to leaving a positive legacy, as we support the transition to net-zero, and being able to advise clients and support projects across the breath of the UK and Ireland will both support our growth and increase the impact that we can have.”  

Copper’s new Scottish office – based in Glasgow – will be headed by Laura Sutherland. Laura has led senior industry work for CIPR and PRCA and founded PRFest – the world’s first public relations festival. She joins Copper with almost 25 years’ experience providing senior public relations and public affairs counsel around climate change, sustainability and ESG. Her clients have included Scotland’s 2020 Climate Group, SSE Renewables, the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, and the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council (SOWEC). Laura will be responsible for growing Copper’s Scottish team and client base. 

Copper already works with a range of clients across Scotland, supporting renewable energy generation, transmission and industrial decarbonisation projects on behalf of clients including SSE, Scottish Power, RWE and Statkraft. 

Speaking about her appointment, Laura Sutherland said: “Scotland already punches above its weight in innovation and sustainable energy, but there are so many more opportunities to be realised across energy generation, industrial decarbonisation and development projects. Conversations are already flowing to provide solutions to support businesses and organisations in reaching their goals and projects that will leave a positive environmental and economic legacy.” 

Copper is also opening an office in Dublin, Ireland – its first outside the UK. Copper already supports major infrastructure projects in the country and will use insights from its engagement there to support renewable energy, water, and sustainable transport projects across the country, where there is enormous potential for growth. Copper’s operations in Ireland will be led by James Hillier, who has held multiple senior roles at Copper, and he will be responsible for establishing the business’ presence in Ireland while recruiting a team to meet growing demand. 

Speaking of Copper’s new office in Ireland, James Hillier said: “Ireland has an enormous opportunity to deliver large scale wind, solar and energy transition projects, while also investing heavily in sustainable transport. We are excited to play an ever-greater role in translating these opportunities into reality and helping to make the Irish economy increasingly prosperous and sustainable.”  

Copper’s growth and commitment to Ireland and Scotland builds on its already successful development into Wales, where it formally opened an office in Cardiff in February this year led by Wales team lead, Lisa Childs. Since then, Copper has doubled its team based in the country and has already established advisory support to businesses including Uniper, Associated British Ports, and Green GEN Cymru.