Pier reports significant new client wins and invests in senior team

Renewables communications agency Pier has announced significant new client wins and is bolstering its senior team to meet demand.

Shortlisted for this year’s UK Best Small PR Consultancy by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), Pier has secured a series of wins in competitive pitches. The new contracts include Low Carbon, the global renewable energy company, and Freeport East, one of the UK’s ten new Freeports announced by the government, centred around Felixstowe and Harwich, a region regarded as a clean energy powerhouse.

Pier will provide stakeholder and community relations for Low Carbon’s proposed new Beacon Fen Energy Park, made up of solar and energy storage which could provide power to more than 190,000 homes in North Kesteven, in the East of England.

James Hartley Bond, Head of Project Development at Low Carbon, said: “We were looking for an agency with specialist renewables development and planning experience, and critically local community relations skills needed to support a project of this scale.  Pier also really impressed us with their enthusiasm and energy for the project.”

Covering Britain’s busiest container port, two major ferry ports and located close to the East Coast green energy cluster, Freeport East will be a hub for global trade, clean energy and national regeneration as well as creating a hotbed for innovation that will have impact across the UK.

Steve Beel, Chief Executive at Freeport East, said: “Part of our ambition is that Freeport East will be a leading centre for clean energy such as green hydrogen. Communications will be a critical driver in attracting the awareness and investment required to deliver this.

“We needed specialist strategic support with strong renewables experience and a great network to help us achieve our ambitions at a local, national and international level. We look forward to working with Pier.”

The wins mark a new chapter for the agency as it invests in growing the business with the appointment of a new Scottish-based head of renewables to help propel further growth of its specialist division. Ex BBC journalist Steph Clark brings more than 25 years’ experience to Pier from several of the UK’s leading communications agencies. Her appointment marks the company’s official move north of the border to be closer to clients in Scotland.

Managing director Amy Bendall comments: “Pier is one of the go-to PR agencies for the rapidly growing renewables sector, with extensive experience notably in wind and solar. We are thrilled to be working with Freeport East and Low Carbon’s Beacon Fen Energy Park, which are significant new contracts for Pier and signal exciting growth for the company.

“We have big plans for the agency over the next year and are excited to welcome Steph to the team whose knowledge will add value to our renewables division, as well as bringing Pier closer to our Scottish-based clients.”

Pier is an award-winning integrated communications agency that specialises in renewable energy. Clients include RWE, British Solar Renewables (BSR) Energy, Perceptual Robotics and SP Energy Networks. The agency, which has offices in London and Suffolk, has a core focus on sustainability and recently pledged to donate 1% of profit to fighting climate change.

The creation of the new role supports Pier’s internal promotion of renewables lead Caroline Tilley to account director. Former journalist Caroline joined Pier in 2021 and has impressed clients and colleagues alike.

The pair join renewables PR consultant Sophie Fraser and Pier founder and CEO Kate Bowden Smith in further strengthening Pier’s senior renewables expertise.

Pier was founded in 2008 by Kate Bowden Smith and now employs a team of 12. In 2022 Pier was named a finalist in three national PR awards and to date this year has been shortlisted for a Sustainability Award by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Best Agency to Work For (small) at the UK Company Culture Awards and Small PR Consultancy of the Year at the CIPR Excellence Awards.

Pier provides services including PR and media relations, campaigns, social media, influencer outreach and stakeholder relations. For more on Pier visit www.pierweare.com.