Early Life and Education

Peter Cooper’s upbringing was shaped by his parents’ humble beginnings; both grew up in council estates. Despite their limited educational opportunities, they strongly believed in the importance of social mobility and were dedicated to providing their son with the best educational experiences available.

Cooper’s father, who left school at the age of 16, worked hard to achieve a position in middle management after completing an apprenticeship. His parents prioritized education, driving Peter to top schools, which ultimately enabled him to pursue higher education, including two degrees from university.

A Passion for Engineering and Sustainability

Following in his father’s footsteps, Peter developed a keen interest in engineering, particularly how technology can benefit daily life and society. He focused his studies on the interplay between urban development and sustainable practices. His interests included how data could encourage public transportation use and improve energy efficiency in city infrastructure, such as street lighting and health monitoring in buildings.

Accidental Path to McKinsey

Cooper’s journey into the consulting world at McKinsey happened serendipitously. While pursuing a PhD part-time alongside his engineering career, he reached out to numerous experts for interviews to enhance his academic research. One of these individuals, the senior partner responsible for McKinsey’s urban projects, responded positively.

During an engaging discussion, Cooper learned about job opportunities within McKinsey related to his interests. Assuming he wasn’t suited for consulting, he nevertheless found himself drawn to the potential impact he could have in the field, which ultimately led him to join the company.

Current Role and Focus on Sustainability

Today, Peter Cooper is fully dedicated to addressing sustainability challenges at McKinsey. His current role is divided into two primary areas:

• Working with businesses to develop and scale innovative green technologies, particularly those aimed at reducing difficult-to-eliminate emissions.
• Collaborating with investors and funders to finance these sustainable ventures, enabling their growth and success.

Cooper’s diverse experiences—ranging from engineering to academia and now consultancy—equip him with valuable insights into the sustainability challenges faced by industries today.