Who we are

The Ecology Consultancy teams work from our head office in London and regional offices in East Anglia and Sussex.

The Ecology Consultancy opened an office in Edinburgh in March 2011. Until this office is fully functioning, please call 01312 258610 or email [email protected]

  • London
  • East Anglia
  • Sussex

  • John Newton

    BSc, MSc, CEnv, CMIEEM, The Ecology Consultancy Managing Director.

    He has over 35 years experience of working on ecological issues including as an in-house environmental manager for a property development company and with construction contractors. He also has extensive experience of both the public and voluntary conservation sectors and was previously Deputy Director (Conservation) of London Wildlife Trust.

    John oversees all the work at The Ecology Consultancy and has particular input into our major projects. As well as being the face of The Ecology Consultancy he is not afraid to get his hands dirty and he is regularly out participating in bat surveys and other ecology work.

  • Jon Riley

    BSc, MSc, CMIEEM, Principal Ecologist.

    He has worked both for conservation NGOs and in the commercial sector for over 15 years. He has project managed strategic habitat surveys across several London boroughs and a number of protected species surveys. A qualified botanist, he has conducted vegetation research on chalk grassland and is involved in botanical conservation, recording and training in London and the southeast.

  • Tom McArthur

    BSc, MSc, DIC, CEnv, CMIEEM, Senior Ecologist.

    Tom has over eight years experience in ecological consultation, prior to which he worked as an applied ecological field worker overseas. He is a protected species specialist with a keen interest in mammals and birds and currently holds Natural England survey licences for bats, dormice and great crested newts.

    He is a competent project manager with particular experience in overseeing the ecological assessment and management of large infrastructure projects. Tom has coordinated complex and wide scale field surveys, and authored numerous species reports, Ecological Impact Assessments, Habitat Regulation Screening Assessments, Statements to Inform, Management Plans, Method Statements and protected species license applications. Tom is currently acting as a project manager of the country south section of the proposed High Speed Two development.

  • Dr Sarah Yarwood-Lovett

    BSc, PhD, CEnv, CMIEEM, Senior Ecologist.

    Sarah has worked in the field of ecology since 2000 and in the ecology consultancy sector since 2005. She has a range of experience in ecology in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, undertaking habitat and protected species surveys, carrying out assessments, providing advice, designing and implementing mitigation strategies and managing projects. She has experience in road and rail infrastructure schemes, development projects, flood alleviation schemes and restoration projects.

    She is a licensed bat worker, holds a Natural England survey licence for great crested newts and is currently working towards her dormouse licence. She is involved in various voluntary survey groups and, as an active member of the Sussex Bat Group, co-ordinates the National Bat Monitoring Project locally.

  • Richard Gowing

    BSc, MSc, CMIEEM, Senior Ecologist.

    Richard has worked as an ecological consultant since 2007 and before this as a project officer for the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country’s Living Landscape project. Key skills include habitat surveys, riparian mammal surveys and breeding bird surveys, project management of EIAs, undertaking HRAs of Local Development Plan documents and biodiversity research projects. Richard has also worked extensively in upland Scotland and Wales on NVC surveys and protected species surveys to inform EIAs for renewable energy developments.
    He is a Natural England licence holder for GCN and an active member of the London Bat Group and is training towards a Natural England Roost Visitor licence.

  • Aaron Grainger

    BSc, PGDip, CMIEEM, Senior Ecologist.

    Aaron has worked in the environmental sector since 2007. Prior to becoming an ecological consultant, he worked for both the Forestry Commission and Natural England. Aaron specialises in ornithological and protected species work and holds survey licences for bats and great crested newts, as well as an ESAS accreditation for off-shore bird surveys. He has a wide-range of experience in residential, infrastructure and renewables projects. This includes managing the ornithological element of large-scale wind farm developments in Western Scotland, mitigation design and planning, technical reporting for planning and EPSL applications.
    Aaron is also currently studying for an MSc in Ornithology at the University of Birmingham.

  • Toni Harrington

    BSc, MSc, CMIEEM, Senior Ecologist.

    She specialises in protected species surveys and mitigation works for reptiles, great crested newts, badgers, dormice, bats and riparian mammals.Toni holds Natural England survey licences for great crested newts and dormice. Her experience includes undertaking and writing scoping, Phase 1 habitat reports, as well as Natural England development licenses and ecological management plans required for planning. She has managed large scale mitigation projects such as the M25 road widening scheme between Junctions 27 and 30.

  • Paul Roebuck

    BSc, MSc, CMIEEM, AIEMA, Senior Ecologist.

    In his previous role as an ecological consultant, Paul gained a wide range of experience including working in the public and private sectors in multi-disciplinary teams, which included Landscape Architects and Planners. His key skills involve undertaking a range of biodiversity, protected species, tree and habitat surveys. Paul is proficient in producing ecological master planning/enhancement measures, mitigation, and landscape and habitat management plans. He has managed major Ecology, EIA and Sustainability projects including BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes Assessments. Paul has experience at working across all areas of the development sector including residential, commercial and infrastructure projects.

  • Sasha Dodsworth

    BSc, MSc, CMIEEM, Ecologist.

    She specialises in the survey and mitigation works regarding protected species, mainly with great crested newts. Sasha holds a Personal Track Safety certificate and a CSCS card.

  • Wendy McFarlane

    MSc, MA, CMIEEM, Ecologist.

    She has trained in botanical surveys including habitat mapping for the Countryside Survey 2007. Her main work includes BREEAM assessments, Phase 1 and protected species surveys. She has worked on the high profile GM Field-scale Trials for Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and for three years on a five year study comparing biodiversity of Scottish non-scheme farms against those in rural stewardship and organic aid schemes.

  • Sabrina Bremner

    BSc, Grad CIEEM, Ecologist.

    Sabrina has extensive survey and protected species mitigation experience throughout Sussex and Hampshire. She conducts Phase 1 surveys, BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes assessments for the Ecology Consultancy as well as botanical and protected species surveys, and has a Natural England great crested newt license.

  • Daniel Simmons

    BSc (Hons), ACIEEM, Biodiversity Conservation and Management, Ecologist.

    Daniel has spent several years working with conservation NGOs internationally, from the Amazon basin to the Mediterranean archipelago. He comes from the eminent bat research team at the Institute of Zoology in London and has built an extensive repertoire of protected species survey and mitigation. At the Ecology Consultancy he assists in running bat related projects and can provide visual tree and aerial roost inspections from a rope and harness.

  • Sarah Nicholas

    BSc (Hons), Ecologist.

    Sarah has over five years’ professional experience as an ecological consultant, with project management and numerous habitat and multi-species surveys under her belt, for both public and private sector schemes, including rail, power, energy and residential infrastructure. She is a keen bat worker and has volunteered for various bat groups, helping with surveys and education. Sarah holds a Natural England bat survey licence and has held European Protected Species Mitigation licences for bats. She is also experienced in carrying out habitat surveys, including (extended) Phase 1 survey and has an expertise in surveying for and advising on protected species, including reptiles, amphibians, bats and badgers.

  • Tanith Cook

    BSc (Hons), MSc, CMIEEM, Ecologist.

    Tanith has over three years’ professional experience as an ecological consultant. She has project-managed and undertaken numerous extended Phase 1 habitat surveys and multi-species surveys across the UK, for both public and private sector clients, including cable routes, landfills, quarries and residential schemes. Tanith has also led on large scale great-crested newt surveys and has been involved in licenced mitigation projects for great-crested newt, water vole, bats and reptiles. She holds Natural England licences for great-crested newt and barn owl and is working towards a bat development licence. Tanith also holds a Personal Track Safety and LUCAS certificate.

  • Emma Reid

    BSc, MSc, ACIEEM, Ecologist.

    Emma has over 2 years’ experience in consultancy and 5 years’ experience in the public, research and voluntary sectors. Much of that has focused on protected species surveys across the UK. Emma holds Natural England survey licences for great-crested newts and barn owl. Her experience includes undertaking and writing, Phase 1, reptile, great crested newt, water vole and BREEAM reports. Other practical experience includes freshwater invertebrate, badger, bird and bat surveys. Emma previously worked for Aecom and Thomson Ecology, working on several projects surveying a wide range of protected species. Emma holds a Personal Track Safety certificate and a CSCS card.

  • Rachel Falkingham

    BSc, MSc, Grad CIEEM, Ecologist.

    Rachel has 2 years’ experience working in consultancy and in addition has worked on a number of conservation projects abroad. She has gained a wide range of experience carrying out a number of protected species surveys. These range from undertaking rare reptile surveys, great crested newts, bats and dormice surveys. Rachel is a keen ornithologist and has co-ordinated bird surveys for a large scale wind farm development site in Western Scotland. She also has an ESAS accreditation for off-shore bird surveys and is working towards obtaining her dormouse licence. In addition, she has experience in undertaking and writing Phase 1, BREEAM, breeding bird and various other species reports and has carried out a number of marine surveys particularly baseline coral reef surveys.

  • Rosie Whicheloe

    BA, MSc, Ecologist.

    Rosie recently completed an MSc in Land Management at Cranfield, where she studied Landscape Ecology & River Restoration. Prior to this, she worked with ADAS as an Ecology & Landscape Consultant, undertaking Phase 1 & scoping surveys for permitted utility works (water, electricity & rail) including detailed surveys for dormice, water voles, badgers and GCN. Rosie was also involved in SSSI condition surveys for upland habitats and wrote EIA chapters for small-scale developments on ecology & landscape disciplines. Having completed a BA in Landscape Architecture at Greenwich, she began her career in Landscape Character Assessment working for Hankinson Duckett Associates, ACORUS and Derbyshire County Council. She has a personal interest in green infrastructure. Rosies’ experience in landscape & ecology will be of great value to development projects that involve BREEAM or habitat enhancement.

  • George Siskos

    BSc Environmental Protection, Ecologist and GIS support.

    George is experienced in mapping software and assists in the analysis of field survey data and creation of thematic maps for habitat plans, protected species surveys and BREEAM assessments.

  • Corrado Cacciarru

    GIS Analyst.

    He has over 15 years experience working on environmental issues implementing Geographic Information Systems and thematic cartography for Environmental Impact Assessments and for surveys. He has used this expertise in his work with the energy industry, local and regional government and on mining and geology projects. He has also worked extensively both in the private and public sector, providing IT consultancy, training and Quality Management Systems solutions.

  • Gideon Simons

    BSc, MSc , GIS Technician.

    He is a GIS specialist with over 7 years’ experience across the Heritage and Environment sectors working on a variety of private and major public projects. His qualifications combined with a background in archaeology and land surveying, have contributed to his ability to implement the principles of spatial data acquisition for strategic purposes at various project scales, the development of cost-saving survey methods and robust GIS strategies.

  • Naa Sackeyfio

    BSc, MSc, AIEMA, GIS Technician.

    Naa has two years experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Data Management and Analysis and a strong background in Environmental Management. She has developed her GIS skills through academic, voluntary and professional work and has worked in the Construction Industry working on GIS mapping projects for highways maintenance. Her skills include spatiotemporal data analysis and change detection, remote sensing data/ image interpretation and analysis, model building. She holds a CSCS card and has had training in CDM Safety in Design.

  • Yvonne O'Keeffe

    BA, MAAT, Finance Manager.

    Yvonne is an accounts professional with wide experience of management and financial accounting functions in SMEs. In the past she reported to major financial institutions - the US NASDAQ and the UK FTSE - and she is currently studying for ACCA exams.

  • Jane Kendall

    BA, Certificate in Ecology & Conservation, Office Manager.

    Having worked at London Wildlife Trust and Common Ground, Jane's interest and passion in ecology, married with her great organisational skills makes her an ideal Office Manager with extensive knowledge of The Ecology Consultancy's day-to-day work.

  • Melanie Oxley

    BSc Environmental Science, Communications Officer.

    Melanie has long experience of public relations in the sector, having worked with the London Wildlife Trust, Plantlife, WWF and other environmental groups. Melanie’s interest in wildlife and habitat issues, coupled with her easy ability to convey our story, makes her the ideal addition to our marketing team.

  • Alex Woodcraft

    BA, Marketing Officer.

    Alex has over 15 years experience in sales and marketing working for Xerox, Book Data and CIRIA. He has worked in the construction industry for the last ten years and has a broad knowledge of this sector. Alex is a qualified CEEQUAL assessor and has passed The Green Register sustainable construction course. He brings his sales and marketing skills to The Ecology Consultancy.

  • Liz Gatenby

    BSc, Affiliate IEEM, RHS Cert Hort, Admin Officer.

    After many years in training design Liz decided to pursue her interest in horticulture, and landscape and habitat management. Liz has recently completed a BSc Landscape Management degree and is now using her skills to support our ecologists and assist in the day-to-day tasks in our London office.

  • Kat Evans

    MA (Hons), MSc Biodiversity Conservation, Major Projects Officer.

    Kat has over 14 years of project management experience after working in TV production. As Major Projects Officer, Kat combines her project management skills, ecology knowledge and enthusiasm for the natural world, to manage teams of ecologists and field assistants for our large infrastructure projects.

  • Nadine Clark

    BSc MSc CMIEEM Ecologist.

    Nadine has over 4 years' professional experience in ecological consultancy. She most recently worked for Natural England in their Land Use Operations Function assessing planning applications. She has experience of protected species surveys and habitat surveys. Nadine holds Natural England survey licences for great crested newts, dormice and bats. She has undertaken numerous Phase 1 habitat surveys, BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes assessment and multispecies surveys for both public and private sector clients on a range of projects including large residential, commercial and infrastructure.

  • Dr Rachel Saunders

    BSc, PhD, MCIEEM, Principal Ecologist.

    She has worked in various fields of ecology and conservation since 1996, specialising mainly in mammal ecology and protected species issues. She has extensive experience in mammal identification and survey techniques and has been running national workshops for The Mammal Society since 1998. Formerly working for English Nature (now Natural England), she has experience in the management of designated sites as well as development control issues relating to protected species and habitats. She has also undertaken research into various aspects of urban ecology, including the spatial ecology of urban foxes and the value of gardens for wildlife. Her portfolio includes ecological impact assessments for wind farm developments, rail and road infrastructure and major housing projects. She is a licensed bat worker and holder of Natural England survey licences for dormice and great crested newts.

  • Dr Graham Hopkins

    BSc, PhD, CMIEEM, FRES, CEnv, Senior Ecologist.

    He has a particular interest in insect ecology and has worked with commercial partners and NGOs for over ten years. He has extensive experience of site survey and assessment for invertebrate interests, with major projects including proposed road schemes, brownfield developments and flood defence works. His survey skills include terrestrial and freshwater habitats and his identification expertise includes the flies, bees and wasps, and the bugs (including aphids). His academic work included extensive post-doctoral fieldwork in the UK and Costa Rica and he has published several important desk-based studies.

  • Danny Thomas

    BSc (Hons), MSc, CMIEEM, AIEMA, Senior Ecologist.

    Danny has worked as a consultant in the Environmental sector for over eight years. He most recently worked for Atkins on a range of large development and infrastructure projects including housing, wind farms and habitat creation and enhancement schemes. He has a sound understanding of UK and European nature conservation legislation and experience, undertaking Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) for developments in the vicinity of European Protected Sites. He has extensive experience with Highways Agency projects and was the dedicated ecologist for the Highways Agency Area 6 Management Contract for over four years.

    Danny is a protected species ecologist and holds licences for dormice and great crested newts. He is also an experienced bird specialist with a British Trust for Ornithology ringing licence and schedule 1 licence for various bird species, in particular barn owl.

  • Alex Prendergast

    BSc (Hons), MSc, CMIEEM, Ecologist.

    Alex trained in Botany at The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and has written theses on urban plant communities and diatom speciation. His specialisms include the British flora, lower plants and ethnobotany. He has previously held positions in the fields of horticulture, plant science and natural history. He has worked as a botanist on a number of scientific expeditions to South-East Asia, Africa and Central America, and for voluntary conservation and research projects in the UK. As a botanist for The Ecology Consultancy he has undertaken a three-year review of 500+ Local Wildlife Sites in Lincolnshire and regularly conducts a range of other botany surveys; these can include arable weed surveys, non-native plant surveys and monitoring surveys as well as habitat surveys to Phase 1 and NVC level. He also advises on habitat restoration, development impacts on botanic gardens and hay toxicity as part of investigations into the poisoning of horses, as well as CfSH and BREEAM assessments. Current research interests include habitat restoration for the large copper butterfly, the biodiversity of churchyards and orchards, crayfish in East Anglia, and a monograph on the genus Rumex. He holds a Natural England survey license for white-clawed crayfish and a level 5 field identification skills certificate. Alex is also a PADI qualified diver and is able to complete underwater surveys for crayfish and aquatic plants.

  • Tracy Simpson

    BSc, MSc, ACIEEM, Ecologist.

    She is trained in the identification and ecology of a wide range of taxonomic groups and has a particular interest in mammals. Her main experience has been in carrying out bat and great crested newt surveys and assessments. She is also an experienced botanist and has carried out numerous Phase 1 habitat and NVC surveys. She has project managed several large-scale surveys for great crested newts and a review of over 350 Local Wildlife Sites in Lincolnshire. She has training in use of GIS software (MapInfo), and is currently the membership secretary of the Norwich bat group.

  • Michelle Fielden

    BSc (Hons) Ecology, HNC Countryside Management, Ecologist.

    Michelle has worked in the environmental sector for several years on a wide variety of practical and ecological projects both in a voluntary and professional capacity. Michelle is also the co-founder of the Norwich Bat Group and currently plays an active role as a committee member. Her areas of expertise are Extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys, NVC Surveys and protected species surveys, particularly bat surveys.

  • Giles Coe

    BSc, CMIEEM, Senior Ecologist.

    Giles organises and manages contracts from the Sussex office in addition to advising on all protected species issues. He has worked as lead ecologist on large scale developments in the south-east as well as rail and road infrastructure works and is currently advising on ecology issues affecting school and college redevelopments. Giles holds Natural England survey licences for great crested newts and bats and is responsible for devising and implementing European Protected Species Mitigation licence applications for a range of species. His work with badgers includes surveys of urban and rural setts, licence applications and sett closure. Giles trained in GIS software at college and has been using both ArcView and MapInfo in a range of commercial applications.

  • Ben Kimpton

    Diploma (Hort), BA(Env), MSc, CMIEEM, Senior Ecologist.

    He specialises in botany and has over ten years experience of working with UK plants and habitats. Ben undertakes and manages a wide range of surveys including Building Environmental Assessment Tools such as BREEAM, CfSH and NEAT, Farm Environment Plans, River Corridor Surveys and NVC of woodland, grassland and wasteland habitats. He liaises closely with project design teams to deliver practical and innovative ecological solutions, using experience gained from working in botanical gardens (including the Eden Project) and countryside management, particularly in the design of long-term management plans. He is currently developing The Ecology Consultancy's work on living roofs in partnership with the Green Roof Consultancy.

  • Carly Jefferies

    BSc, MSc, CMIEEM, Ecologist.

    Carly has carried out a range of protected species surveys and specialises in survey and mitigation for reptiles and amphibians. Mitigation work has included daily checks of pit fall traps and overseeing the final destructive searches for several large scale projects. She has assisted on evening surveys and building inspections for bats and has experience in ecological scoping assessments for road schemes. Carly holds a Natural England survey license for great crested newts and is currently working towards her dormouse license. Responsibilities in the office include the production of digital plans for Phase 1 habitat surveys and protected species work and she has training in standard desktop graphics packages as well as GIS software MapInfo and ArcView.