Edward Leszczynski BSc (Hons) MSc MIEEM - Consultancy Manager

Edward has over 22 years of experience in the ecological/environmental sector including working within the public and private sector and since 1998, manager for the Consultancy. As well as day to day managerial duties, Edward oversees the larger projects and undertakes surveys, provides mitigation advice and acts as principal ‘Clerk of Works’ on a range of selected development and conservation schemes. Edward holds Natural England licences for bats and great crested newts.

AlanShepherd MIEEM - Principal Ecologist

Alan has worked for the Consultancy since 1995 but prior to this worked in the conservation sector since the 1970s. He has an extensive knowledge of ecological issues including birds, butterflies and mammals. His main area of expertise is with amphibians and reptiles resulting in his roles as National Herpetofauna Co-ordinator for The Wildlife Trusts, a member of the advisory panel for ARG-UK and chair of the Worcestershire Reptile and Amphibian Group (WRAG). He is also a member of the national steering committee for the Great Crested Newt Species Recovery Plan. Alan holds a Natural England and Countryside Council for Wales licence for great crested newts.

Elizabeth Pimley BSc (Hons) PhD CEnv MIEEM - Senior Ecologist

Elizabeth has worked in both the academic and consultancy sectors with a focus on mammalian ecology, particularly badgers, dormice and bats. Elizabeth has managed various ecological projects both in the UK and abroad and has expertise in a range of ecological survey techniques. She is well versed in producing ecological reports, BREEAM Assessments, Biodiversity Action Plans, as well as writing for scientific journals and books. Elizabeth offers a scientific approach to projects with additional skills in statistical analysis and GIS.  Elizabeth holds Natural England and Countryside Council for Wales licences for bats and dormice.

Nick Button BSc (Hons) MIEEM - Consultant Ecologist

Nick started working for the Consultancy in 2004 and prior to this was employed as Aggregates Officer within the Planning Department of Worcestershire County Council. Previous experience has included working for the Dorset Environmental Records Centre as a botanical surveyor, project manager and records centre assistant. As well as undertaking a wide range of protected species surveys and mitigation schemes, Nicks area of expertise is primarily botanical, having undertaken individual species surveys, Phase1 and NVC surveys throughout the UK. More recently this included an NVC survey of Shropshire’s quarries and rare arable weed survey within Worcestershire for Plantlife UK and a detailed Higher Level Stewardship Agreement and Management Plan for Worcestershire County Council’s Hartlebury Common Nature Reserve. Nick has extensive experience in GIS mapping and holds a Natural England licence for great crested newts and white-clawed crayfish.

Joshua Evans BSc (Hons) MIEEM - Consultant Ecologist

Joshua joined the team in 2008, previously working as an independent consultant, prior to that he worked for the National Trust and Forestry Commission as an ecological surveyor. For the last 14 years he has worked in both the conservation and consultancy sector. Many of these years were in woodland conservation and management. He is an experienced ecologist with particular expertise in terrestrial invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles and bats and holds Natural England (NE) and Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) licences for bats, dormice, great crested newts, white-clawed crayfish and barn owls.

Helen Fletcher BSc (Hons) - Consultant Ecologist

Helen graduated in July 2007 with a 1st class honours degree in Biological Sciences and after initially joining the team as a graduate trainee in 2008, now occupies the role of Consultant Ecologist working on a wide array of projects. Such projects include a number of botanical and protected species surveys, BREEAM assessments (particularly Code for Sustainable Homes) and development licences for bats and badgers. Helen also undertakes ecological ‘Clerk of Works’, provides mitigation advice and holds Natural England licences for bats, great crested newts and barn owls.

Claire Dovey BSc (Hons) and Simon Roberts BSc (Hons) PhD - Assistant Consultant Ecologists

 Both Simon Roberts and Claire Dovey have worked in conservation on a voluntary basis for over 3 years. Simon undertakes annual butterfly surveys on the Malvern Hills, in particular for high brown fritillaries. In addition he is an experienced ornithologist having undertaken a wide a variety of surveys as well as bird ringing within the West Midlands region. Claire is currently studying for an MSc in Conservation Ecology at Oxford Brookes University, after having gained experience with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust on a year placement and as the Bow Brook Project Assistant. Claire is also a keen ornithologist undertaking monitoring and ringing work, as well as working towards her bat licence. Both Simon and Claire have assisted Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy during 2010 gaining further experience on protected species surveys particularly for bats, great crested newts and slow-worms.  

Ruth Hargreaves and Laura Thomson - Finance and Administration Assistants

Ruth joined the Consultancy in spring 2006 and during this time has helped to develop the Quality Management System. Laura joined the consultancy in 2011 and together with Ruth provides administrative support for the team and deals with financial matters relating to Consultancy projects.