RSK Group, a global leader in the delivery of sustainable solutions, has agreed a partnership with specialist infrastructure communications firm Copper Consultancy.

Copper specialises in building understanding and acceptance of infrastructure with the public, stakeholders, the media, government and elected representatives, while helping organisations to protect and enhance their reputations. The agreement provides an opportunity to take on more and increasingly complex client challenges.

As part of the agreement, Copper will retain its brand, clients and management team. Copper will work closely with RSK Creative – a design and technical writing specialist business within the RSK group. 

Together with RSK’s corporate communications team, RSK now has a network of more than 150 communications experts covering strategy, marketing, data, planning support, construction, corporate, crisis, social, design and creative services.

RSK Group CEO Alan Ryder said: “Copper’s infrastructure communications skills are an excellent addition to our Group, naturally complementing our enduring focus on engineering and environmental solutions and enhancing our client service. 

“This solutions-based approach is now more important than ever. As we face global challenges, changing how we live, our wish is to consult and explain these changes in a way which raises public awareness and understanding to ensure everyone can participate in this transition in a meaningful way.”

Copper’s managing partners, Martin McCrink and Ben Heatley, said: “The UK is facing unprecedented challenges around net zero and the cost of living crisis. One of the levers industry and government can pull is to invest in infrastructure to modernise the country, boost productivity and enhance sustainability. 

“Working closely with RSK gives Copper the opportunity to broaden the solutions we offer to clients and help them overcome the challenges they will face.

“Copper is ambitious for the future. This relationship creates a platform for us to achieve those ambitions, allowing us to reach clients, markets and geographies that we couldn’t access on our own. We are excited to be able to support RSK with its ambitions to grow in the UK and around the world.”

Copper’s growth has been significant in recent years. McCrink and Heatley added that this new agreement will enable Copper to continue with an ambitious strategy in the years to come, enabling access to new markets, clients and talent. 

For RSK it enables the company to offer an even broader range of specialist services to the infrastructure industry, and to tackle the most demanding challenges with teams of experts from across the business. 

As RSK continues to deliver its ambitious growth strategy it is now comprised of more than 175 companies, employing 10,000 people. The Group’s annual turnover at the end of FY22 is expected to be in excess of £800m, more than double the previous year.