Supporting an Energy Operator Following a Major Incident

Challenge

Following a serious incident, the scale of the emergency response and the powerful imagery from the scene drew significant national and international media attention. The organisation faced intense scrutiny from families of those affected, community stakeholders, regulators, and politicians, all while navigating parallel police and health and safety investigations and preparing for future inquests. The central challenge was to communicate with empathy, accuracy, and clarity without compromising legal obligations or ongoing investigative processes.

Solution

Alder provided comprehensive crisis communications and stakeholder management support throughout the response:

- Developed a detailed stakeholder engagement plan that balanced transparency with legal and operational constraints
- Managed incoming media enquiries and corrected misinformation swiftly and sensitively
- Delivered media training for senior leaders to prepare them for high‑pressure interviews and public statements
- Advised on political engagement to maintain constructive relationships with elected representatives
- Monitored national and international coverage to identify emerging risks and address inaccuracies
- Guided on‑site media protocols to support frontline teams handling journalists at the scene

Outcome

- Media reporting remained largely factual, reducing the risk of sensationalised coverage
- Families and key stakeholders received clear, timely, and empathetic communication
- Trust in the organisation was maintained despite intense public and regulatory scrutiny
- Senior leaders demonstrated accountability while fully complying with investigative and legal requirements