How Long have you worked at Clarkson & Woods?
I’ve been managing director at Clarkson and Woods for almost 13 years now and over that time we’ve seen some pretty big changes in the business. We’ve grown steadily from a team of 4 to a team of 25 and have gradually expanded our portfolio of clients and skills and expertise. It is however reassuring that deep down we have remained true to our principals though this expansion. We continue to be an employee focused business, ensuring that the team are consulted on all changes and new business directions, and focus heavily on health and well-being and job satisfaction. We’ve tried to create a nice place to work, with a supportive, knowledgeable team of ecologists. We have developed reputation for excellence within survey design and planning and our work is now respected across the country as providing robust, ecologically sensitive advice. We consistently are able to find an excellent balance between client needs and ambition with the imperative to protect biodiversity and ecology.
Through all the change in the business I’ve been able to maintain my work in the field, and I still carry out badger exclusions and licenses across the UK for a range of different clients, as well as getting stuck into evening bat surveys and transects. I’ve always loved ecological consultancy for providing a diversity of projects and opportunities and a chance to stretch your legs and get out into the countryside!
What has been your proudest achievement during your time at Clarkson and Woods?
In 2019 we were awarded the prestigious CIEEM medium sized consultancy of the year award. For me this marked the culmination of a lot of hard work and to see our ‘small’ medium sized business being recognised alongside some of the established and leading practices in the UK was a really proud moment. We’ve not rested on our laurels either and have continued to develop the business, most recently capitalising on our expertise in solar survey, assessment and monitoring. We’ve even been shortlisted for Medium consultancy of the Year again this year (2023).
What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done and would you recommend it to others?
I really enjoy skiing and have tried to use my love as a means of exploring the world. This has included trips through the rockies, exploring the Andes in Argentina and Chile but probably one of the most adventurous trips I took was a ski trip to Gulmarg in Indian administered Kashmir. Travelling to Kashmir has been challenging in recent years and our trip was no exception. With my brother and a group of friends we landed at Srinagar airport with the runway lined with tanks highlighted that this was going to be no ordinary trip. We stayed in a fairly basic hostel with a smokey Bukhari fire for warmth and spent 10 days exploring the mountains, using the single ski lift. From the top of the mountain there was a great view across the Himalayas including Nanga Parbat and glimpses of K2 in the far distance. Also very prominent was the line of control between Indian and Pakistani Kashmir. We shared many lifts with very serious Indian soldiers on their way to the front line. The snow and the powder was pretty unparalleled for me and the whole experience truly unforgettable.
