Richard founded HCE after recognizing the need for an ecology consultancy that could both advocate for wildlife and the environment while collaborating pragmatically with clients.

With a degree in Zoology, years of professional wildlife experience in Africa, and a period as a scuba-diving instructor, Richard is a seasoned and passionate naturalist. He has assembled a team of specialist ecologists who share his dedication to the natural world and understand that fostering strong client relationships enhances the ecological success of projects.

Luke is an ecologist with 8 years’ of prior consultancy experience comprising two seasons of ecological field survey work with Aspect Ecology, two years with RSK as a graduate ecologist, two years with Wood Plc as a consultant ecologist and 2 years with RSK Biocensus as a senior ecologist.

During this time, Luke has undertaken a wide variety of field work surveys and written a variety of reports. 

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Luke holds a Natural England licence for great crested newts and hazel dormouse. Luke also has botanical ID skills at FISC Level 4.

Luke has worked on various high-profile projects including those of confidential and controversial natures such as HS2, cable routes and fracking sites.

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Luke has specialist skills in the following areas:-

Conducting ecological surveys and ecological clerk of works services for protected species (e.g. nesting bats, badger, bats, great crested newts, reptiles, water vole, and hazel dormouse);

Phase 1/UKHab habitat survey botany and producing ecological reports to support planning applications.

Our resident herpetologist Rob has spent his whole life in the thick of the natural world! Raised surrounded by lizards, snakes, amphibians, fish, birds of prey and small mammals, he lives and breathes wildlife and the natural world. He has a Degree in Zoology from the University of Reading plus a Masters Degree in Biodiversity from Imperial College (University of London). 

Since graduating in 2000 he has studied the behaviour and intimate characters of wildlife across the world; from elephants in the Kenya and Great White Sharks in South Africa to Bower Birds in Australia and Puffins in the Arctic. Robs field Ecology and behavioural observation work has taken him across the world, from rainforests to deserts, temperate regions to the poles on all continents.

Nick has been with HCE since its inception, bringing 20 years of experience as a consultant ecologist. With a wealth of experience in the ecology field, Nick's expertise is extensive. As an avid birder, he has participated in bird counts in Zambia and facilitates our bird surveys here in the UK.

Nick has authored several scientific publications on diverse subjects, including the world's rarest species of bat and the unique echidna. When not searching for nesting birds, reptiles, or bats, Nick enjoys cultivating his wild English garden in the heart of Hampshire.

Oliver has over 6 years experience in ecological consultancy and is Great Crested Newt CL08 Licence holder. He began his career with seasonal work prior to permanent roles at Wood Plc and WSP. This established a solid grounding in report writing, ECoW and protected species surveys, with a particular focus on bat bioacoustics data analysis. He gained experience across a variety of both small and larger scale projects including those of a sensitive nature such as HS2, NEOM Saudi Arabia and National Grid power lines.

In recent years he has been working with Home Counties Ecology providing consultancy services to Highways England, National Rail and other residential developments.

Oliver's consultancy experience is paired with both an MSc in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, as well as a BSc in Zoology. In addition, he has considerable fieldwork experience including as a bioacoustics research assistant for African Bat Conservation.

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Following an extensive career as an Accountant and Business Consultant in a wide range of industries, Colin joined Richard and his HCE team to help provide solid finance and business administration support to the rapidly growing business.Colin has a keen interest in many areas of the environment, ecology, wildlife and natural history and enjoys the opportunity to work with a business closely involved with each of these fields.