MEET THE TEAM

Chris has a wide range of experience within the ecology sector. He has been a member of the team since 2012, previously working for a large independent ecology consultancy and a local planning authority.

Chris graduated from the University of Plymouth with a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science in 2006, and later gained an MSc in Freshwater and Coastal Science which was undertaken at QMUL and UCL, University of London. Chris is a full member of Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management (MCIEEM).

Chris oversees a varied portfolio of projects throughout the country, informing project design, undertaking stakeholder liaison as well as producing technical reports including PEAs, EcIA, EIAs and HRAs to support planning applications. He has a broad knowledge of protected species survey, holding Natural England survey licences for great crested newts, bats and rare reptiles (sand lizard and smooth snake). Chris has successfully obtained numerous Natural England mitigation licences for badgers, bats, dormice and great crested newts and is adept at providing effective mitigation for a range of UK protected species. Chris also has a wealth of experience producing ecological design strategies, enhancement plans, management plans and biodiversity net gain solutions.

Digby joined The Ecology Partnership in June 2021 after a year as an Arboricultural consultant. Having contributed to a wide range of projects, from large-scale hospitals to small residential developments, this provided him with an excellent foundation of survey skills, tree identification and report writing.  Since joining the company, Digby has been building on this base ecological knowledge and is continuing to build on his experience of a wide range of protected species surveys and preliminary ecological appraisals. He currently holds a Natural England survey licence for Great Crested Newts, and is aiming to gain Barn Owl and Dormouse licence this year.

Digby graduated from the University of Portsmouth with a BSc (Hons) in Biology in 2019 and has international fieldwork experience in Mexico and Spain, surveying multiple habitats and protected species, such as mangrove forests, coral reefs, nightjars and bats. His undergraduate dissertation focussed on the negative effects urban developments are having on breeding populations of endangered fruit bats in southern Sri Lanka, as part of an international research project based in Seville.

Ed has worked in the ecology sector for three years and joined the Ecology Partnership in July 2023. Prior to his time here he worked at a nationwide consultancy which specialised in large infrastructure projects (road and rail), as well as working on housing, green energy, commercial and small-scale development projects too. Involvement in a wide range of schemes means that Ed is experienced in producing an array of technical reports, using a variety of survey methodologies, and managing projects.

Ed is currently a Qualifying Member of CIEEM and is hoping to make the jump up to Associate within the next year. Aside from this he holds a River Condition Assessment accreditation, allowing him to conduct River Condition Assessment surveys as part of Biodiversity Net Gain.

Ed studied at The University of East Anglia and graduated in 2020 with a BSc (Hons) in Ecology, and then again in 2021 with an MSc in Applied Ecology and Conservation. Across his time at university, he developed his interest in aquatic ecosystems, culminating with an MSc dissertation project on the occupancy of lowland farm ponds by the common toad (and wider amphibian assemblages). During this time he worked alongside the Norfolk Ponds Project, following closely their restoration work on ponds in East Anglia, and gained a reference towards his GCN Class Licence Level 1.

Emer joined The Ecology Partnership in September 2022. Emer graduated from the University of Exeter in 2021 with a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences with a year abroad, and then moved to the Penryn campus to complete a masters degree in Conservation and Biodiversity. Since joining the company, Emer has been building upon her knowledge within the ecological field by gaining experience in a range of protected species surveys for bats and dormice, as well as preliminary ecological appraisals and report writing.

Through her degree programmes, she was able to gain fieldwork experience in Wales, Kenya and the United States. Her masters dissertation analysed the spatial and temporal trends of hedgehogs admitted to a rescue centre in Cornwall. Alongside her masters degree, she volunteered for Cornwall Wildlife Trust and ZSL to help with the badger vaccination project in Cornwall. Through this, she was able to gain experience in surveying for badger field signs as well as helping to vaccinate badgers against bovine TB.

Alistair joined the Ecology Partnership as an assistant ecologist in October 2022. While at the Ecology Partnership, he will be expanding his knowledge of ecological appraisals, report writing and species surveys.

Alistair graduated from the University of Plymouth in 2021, completing his BSC (Hons) Environmental Science course. From this course, Alistair was taught the large-scale environmental issues that we are facing as a society. His dissertation involved researching the differences in microplastic concentrations between the North Atlantic Ocean, and the South China Sea, furthermore, also researching the affects of microplastic ingestion on marine organisms.

Finn began his ecological career when he joined The Ecology Partnership as an assistant ecologist in April 2024. He graduated with a BSc in Geography from the University of Manchester, where he engaged with various topics of environmental restoration whilst also developing GIS skills. For his dissertation he used GIS software to assess the present habitat suitability for reintroducing the Eurasian Lynx to Cumbria, as well as a hypothetical afforestation scenario in which habitat size and connectivity would be improved.

After graduating, Finn spent time volunteering with The Royal Parks, Surrey Wildlife Trust, and Friends of Richmond Park. With these organisations he got involved with practical nature restoration work and also gained experience surveying wildlife as part of various citizen science projects.

Since joining The Ecology Partnership, Finn has been developing his ecological knowledge and skillset through assisting with protected species surveys, report writing, Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, habitat mapping, and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.

Hayley joined The Ecology Partnership as an assistant ecologist in May 2024 after previously working as a waterway operative for the Canal and River Trust since 2020. Here she carried out maintenance of the canal waterway, monitoring water levels, repairing and operating infrastructure as well as identifying invasive species and planting hazel and hawthorn along parts of the towpath.  Since joining the company Hayley has been building on her base ecological knowledge and gaining experience in a wider range of protected species surveys, preliminary ecological appraisals and report writing.

Hayley graduated from the University of Nottingham with a BSc (Hons) in Geography in 2020 and gained fieldwork experience in the UK and Washington State America. As part of her dissertation Hayley conducted fieldwork on Chalk Grassland flowers.

Paul joined The Ecology Partnership in May 2024 following his graduation from Coventry University. GIS and remote sensing formed key aspects of Paul’s background, having gained experience working with GIS in both the Netherlands and Italy. During this time, Paul undertook a range of projects that utilized GIS including hazard monitoring, classification of sensitive habitats, and identifying annual development in urban regions. Since joining The Ecology Partnership, Paul has been developing his skills with GIS to assess ecological changes presented by proposed developments.

Paul graduated in 2023 from Coventry university with a BSc (Hons) Geography and Natural Hazards, including an industrial placement year. His undergraduate dissertation focused on modelling  the influence of large scale climate oscillations on atmospheric ash released from volcanic eruptions.

Polly joined the Ecology partnership in 2019 having worked in various administrative roles over the past 20 years.

After graduating from The London College of Fashion with a BA (Hons) in Product Development for the Fashion Industries, Polly went onto work within both wholesale sales, design and manufacturing. During her career Polly worked in the fashion industry for both cashmere and sunglasses manufacturers, working on collaborations for major retail Fashion brands as well as top end department stores and boutiques. She also spent several years working within the head office for The Arcadia Group within their concessions department.

Following a few years off to raise her twins, Polly re-joined the workforce on a more part-time basis working as a Receptionist for a Chiropractor and then an Office Administrator for an electrical contractor and contract work for The Berkley Group, Shanley Homes and Wates. She is looking forward to helping the business streamline their workflow systems and assisting with the day-to-day administrative tasks to ensure the continued success and growth of The Ecology Partnership. Polly enjoys being outdoors, cycling the roads or Surrey and walks with her Golden Retriever dog.