Neil has been a professional ecologist for 30 years, with considerable commercial experience of habitat assessment, management planning, and legally protected species survey and mitigation projects.
In his current role, Neil oversees the delivery of protected species surveys, impact assessment and mitigation on Essex Highways and Essex County Council Infrastructure Delivery schemes. Significant contracts in recent years have included reviews of Local Wildlife Sites in multiple Essex districts and London Boroughs, strategic biodiversity assessment for local authority development plans, development management advice and support to local authorities, and representing local authorities at Public Inquiries and Examinations in Public.
He has particular expertise in birds, being competent in a range of standard survey methodologies covering breeding birds and estuarine/wetland counts. Neil also has good general knowledge of UK invertebrates, with specialisms in flies (especially hoverflies, soldierflies and allies), molluscs and moths, amongst other groups.