Member News: BIG powers up Energy team with appointment of Renewables specialist

January 22, 2025
Member News: BIG powers up Energy team with appointment of Renewables specialist

Integrated UK communications agency, BIG Partnership, has appointed renewable specialist Amy Keast to its energy team following significant wins across offshore and onshore wind, green hydrogen, wave and battery storage clients.

Amy, who was most recently communications manager for renewable developer and operator Muirhall Energy, joins as senior communications advisor – renewables, based in Glasgow.

With previous experience at Ofgem and Scottish Renewables as a senior policy manager, Amy spent three years at the Scottish Government as a wind policy manager where she supported the development of the Onshore and Offshore Wind Policy Statements, the Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan. She played a pivotal role in navigating complex issues such as the Eskdalemuir Seismic Array, renewables planning policy, wind community benefit funds and the circular economy.

Her expertise in managing high-profile consultations has been instrumental in shaping industry standards and fostering collaborative relationships between stakeholders, government and the energy sector.

Amy Keast said: “With the target of net zero by 2045 demanding bold action, now is a critical time for energy organisations to prioritise their engagement efforts to ensure projects have the support of stakeholders and can navigate the regulatory and planning approvals required.

“Experience gained from both government and developer perspectives has shown the role effective communication has in building trust, showcasing innovative models and bringing diverse stakeholders together effectively. I’m looking forward to working with our clients to explore how we can best support momentum in achieving the scale-up needed to hit clean power targets.”

BIG has recently secured several new contracts with renewables clients including Storegga, Statkraft, Salamander Floating Wind, Mocean Energy and RE Projects Development, as well as extensions to existing contracts with Cerulean Winds, DNV and Xodus.

Gayle Grant, director at BIG Partnership, added: “BIG has supported major renewable developments from concept to commercialisation for well over a decade and Amy’s experience will further enhance that dedicated energy offering. Our work with developers, investors and the wider supply chain means we understand the critical barriers and the positive outcomes gained from effectively engaging with governments, communities, influencers and industry.

“We were impressed with Amy’s expertise in translating technical and regulatory matters to deliver positive outcomes and her clear focus on strengthening industry partnerships.”

This latest appointment reinforces BIG’s commitment to investing in people and providing clients with a compelling integrated marketing service including PR, social media, SEO, PPC, public affairs, brand and design.

BIG partnership employs over 90 people across four locations in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Manchester.

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AREG is the original energy transition organisation, working on behalf of members to empower the energy supply chain and champion its expertise. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to find out more about membership.

AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce

The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

All-Energy

Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall

Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

Scottish Enterprise