Oli is an experienced ecologist with over nine years’ experience of working in the environmental sector, including work with the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. He graduated from a degree in Biological Sciences, focusing his studies on ecology, and joined FPCR in 2015.

Oli is a specialist in biodiversity net gain (BNG), supporting clients in the public and private sectors in meeting their objectives and targets for development together with their objectives for wildlife and ecosystems. Oli has also provided expert knowledge on the production and implementation of habitat management and monitoring plans (HMMPs) for a wide variety of schemes, with a particular focus on achieving biodiversity net gain. Most recently, he led our involvement with Natural England in producing a HMMP Template which will form a key part of BNG policy following the publication of secondary legislation of the Environment Act expected later in 2023.

As a keen botanist having achieved a Level 4 in the BSBI’s Field Skills Identification Certificate, Oli regularly completes habitat surveys using UKHab, Phase 1 and NVC survey methodologies. Having engaged early in the preparation for BNG, he is able to apply his specialist knowledge in habitat identification to complete habitat condition assessment surveys as well as advising our clients on habitat creation, management and monitoring schemes.

Oli is also a specialist ornithologist and has been conducting a wide variety of bird surveys throughout his career, including breeding bird surveys, winter bird surveys, migratory bird surveys, Wetland Bird Surveys (WeBS) and specific surveys for a range of species including nightjar, woodlark, stone curlew, long-eared owls and black redstart. Oli’s expert knowledge on UK bird ecology allows him to advise clients on complex mitigation schemes, particularly working closely with local authorities and Natural England in the production of Habitat’s Regulations Assessment’s for schemes that have the potential to impact internationally designated sites for birds.

Oli works effectively on both major, multi-phased developments for large developers, and smaller projects for individuals, local authority’s and charities. This Includes undertaking all elements of projects, from protected species surveys and Ecological Impact Assessments, through to liaising with planning authorities, responding to planning consultation responses and devising and implementing effective mitigation strategies.