Organisation Membership: Copper Consultancy

Copper Consultancy is the strategic communications partner for developers and organisations turning their toughest infrastructure ideas into reality. The consultancy specialises in supporting the delivery of major infrastructure projects, regional strategies and policy, helping ambitious clients navigate complex challenges and achieve their business goals. It is part of RSK Group, a global leader in the delivery of environmental and engineering solutions.

For Copper Consultancy, Organisation Membership of the Institute of Economic Development (iED) has become much more than a professional accreditation. It has provided opportunities for networking, professional development and thought leadership while helping Copper strengthen its relationships with the practitioners and organisations shaping local growth.

Simran Sarai, Senior Account Manager, is one of the firm’s biggest champions for the iED, having taken a lead role in the relationship before helping to establish the iED’s Early Career Network.

“Personally, I’ve been a massive advocate for the iED and for our membership over the last few years,” Simran said. “For me, contributing to the Early Career Network has been a particular highlight. I was part of a small group of young professionals who came together through the iED and developed a charter to help shape what the network would become.

“What has always resonated with me is how closely the iED’s mission aligns with Copper’s work. We both recognise the importance of place-based growth and the role that economic development plays in creating thriving communities. As a member, Copper has been able to engage with the practitioners shaping local growth strategies across the UK, share insights from our work across Great Britain and contribute to important conversations about investment, growth and the future of places.

“My involvement with the Early Career Network strengthened that connection. The network has provided a valuable forum to discuss the challenges facing places and communities, which has helped turn our membership into a genuinely valuable part of Copper’s engagement with the sector.

“Being part of the Early Career Network has also helped me showcase the role Copper plays within the economic development sector. While we’re often known for our communications expertise, our work supports projects and organisations that are helping shape the future of places across the country. It’s been particularly rewarding to be part of a network of professionals who share a commitment to driving sustainable growth and creating positive outcomes for communities.”

Over the past four years, Copper Consultancy and its specialist team have gained a range of ongoing benefits through its Organisation Membership.

“The iED is the leading voice of the economic development sector, so it’s great that, within our Organisation Membership, we have unlimited individuals within Copper who can access the associated benefits – including recognition of our professional credentials and access to qualifications that can strengthen tender submissions and bids,” Simran explained.

“The Annual Conferences have given us a platform to share Copper’s perspective on stakeholder engagement, infrastructure delivery and communications within the economic development sector. They’ve offered opportunities to connect with other organisations delivering real progress and provided direct insight into what issues the industry is currently tackling. We also really enjoyed the experience of sponsoring the Team of the Year award at the Annual Awards. The real value came from the conversations we had with people, where we could demonstrate how effective stakeholder engagement, strategic communications and consensus-building can help unlock successful economic development and infrastructure projects. That’s when people really understood our role. The Bulletin is also an extremely useful source of intelligence for the team.”

In addition, Copper Consultancy has planned and delivered the Stakeholder Consultation Exercises module on the IED’s Advanced Certificate in Economic Development. “Overall, that has been a really positive experience,” Simran reflected. “I’ve been directly involved in developing and delivering the sessions, and we continually update the content to ensure it reflects the evolving challenges facing economic development professionals.

“The module is rooted in the kind of work we do every day at Copper, supporting major infrastructure, regeneration and investment projects across the UK. We look at how meaningful stakeholder engagement can help projects secure support, manage complexity and move forward more successfully; whether that’s building trust, navigating different priorities or making sure the right people are part of the conversation from the outset. What’s most valuable is bringing real-world examples into the sessions and seeing how delegates apply that thinking in their own roles. We’ve had local authority officers and other economic development professionals share challenges they’re facing in their areas, and it’s rewarding to see discussions develop around practical approaches that can help deliver better outcomes for communities and support long-term growth.”

As a specialist communications consultancy, Copper Consultancy sees significant value in raising awareness of its expertise among economic development professionals, and Simran believes future initiatives can deliver even greater value:

“The first step is making sure members understand what we do. From leading stakeholder engagement on DCOs and TCPAs to crafting public affairs strategies, Copper is not just another comms agency, but a strategic partner to its clients – offering genuine insight across the full spectrum of the built environment. Because we’re so specialised, we bring a perspective that combines communications, infrastructure, investment and placemaking, and that gives us a lot to offer the economic development sector.”

Case study developed: August 2026