Copper Consultancy achieves successful ongoing growth
Strategic communications advisory Copper Consultancy has seen its revenue and headcount grow by double-digits in 2020. Despite the effects of the coronavirus on the UK economy, the firm managed to boost its income by around 30%, while also bumping up its number of staff by a similar margin.
Founded 25 year ago, Copper Consultancy is dedicated to delivering strategic communications to support clients in the development of economic and social infrastructure – including numerous multinational companies and international investors seeking to invest in infrastructure in the UK. Since its launch, the firm has expanded beyond its headquarters in London to add offices in Birmingham and Bristol.
The UK consulting market has endured muted growth in recent years – most recently seeing expansion fall to 2.5% through 2020 due to the coronavirus and Brexit pressures – but Copper Consultancy has reported bucked this trend in its latest results. While the company is private, and therefore does not disclose revenue, a release from the firm has revealed that it enjoyed revenue growth of 30% over the last 12 months.
According to Copper Consultancy, this growth was driven by a number of new project wins during the last year, including the support of critical UK infrastructure schemes like the 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.
At the same time, 2020 saw the firm launch a new economic development practice, which supports public sector bodies, local authorities, developers and investors, on policy challenges and strategy development. New projects beginning include MHCLG’s Towns Fund, Transport East, and work for West of England Combined Authority.
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-19 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… This has resulted in much earlier involvement in the planning stages of projects, another contributor to Copper’s growth.”
The consultancy 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.
This growth has also seen the firm beef up its headcount, with the recruitment of 15 new team members during the year, an increase in its total staff of almost 30%. The firm currently has 55 employees – including an executive board of 4 people with 5 individual practice directors – and is currently continuing to recruit additional members, as it looks to build on its momentum from last year.
