About Us

As Founder, Director and Lead Ecologist for AWC, Richard brings 30 years of professional experience to the task of providing our high-quality ecological services. He has worked in both the public and private sector as a technical specialist, technical director and team leader. This includes national roles as the Head of Ecology for well-respected, multi-disciplinary consultancies.

Richard is an experienced surveyor of protected species, with survey licences for dormouse, great crested newt and otter. He has particular interest in mammals and is the first professional ecologist in the UK to be assessed and certified as a Level 3 Tracker based on his ability to find and interpret wildlife field-signs. He has also written published guidance on mammal survey and trains other ecologists.

Richard's field-skills also extend to implementing mitigation and conservation for protected species, often under licence. He has held mitigation licences for great crested newts, dormice, badgers and water voles, and was co-author of the Water Vole Mitigation Handbook.

Alongside his survey and mitigation skills, Richard is often called-upon for his advanced understanding of various forms of ecological assessment. This includes Ecological Impact Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment, for which he is an expert practitioner, reviewer and trainer of other ecologists. He has also been an ecological expert witness at several public inquiries.

Richard is proud to be a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (FCIEEM) and a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv).

Richard often works with our network of highly-qualified and trusted associates to provide other specialist skills where required.