Our office has moved! We are now based at Henskol Sul in Mawnan Smith
Meet our team
Simon Barnard BSc (Hons) MSc CEcol MCIEEM - Principal Ecologist and Director
Simon is an experienced ecologist having worked in a consultant capacity covering a wide range of areas of ecology for over 20 years. He specialises in protected mammals, with a particular interest in bats.
Simon has extensive experience undertaking all aspects of professional bat survey work. He currently holds Natural England and Natural Resources Wales survey licences for bats. He has held bat survey licences for bats for over 16 years and is currently registered on the Level 3 (CL19) and Level 4 (CL20) Class Survey Licence in England. He also holds Natural England survey licences for Hazel Dormice and Barn Owls.
Simon has been involved in designing numerous mitigation schemes and obtaining Bat European Protected Species Development Licences for more than 400 sites, involving the full range of species of bats found in Cornwall. He is a registered consultant on Annexes B, C and D on the Natural England’s Bat Mitigation Class Licence. He also regularly carries out voluntary bat work, both in the UK and overseas, and has projects running in the UK involving catching and ringing bats (Licenced by Natural England).
Matt Thurlow BSc (Hons) MSc ACIEEM - Senior Ecologist
Matt is an experienced ecologist with over six years’ experience working in a consultant capacity. He is highly capable in delivering Ecological Impact Assessments, Extended Phase 1 Habitat surveys, Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Biodiversity Net Gain and Habitat Condition assessments across complex sites, with experience conducting a variety of protected and non-protected phase two species surveys. He holds a Bachelor’s in Applied Marine Science, and Master's in Conservation and Biodiversity, and holds a level 2 (CL18) Bat Class Survey Licence, and has strong botanical knowledge. He is currently an Associate member of CIEEM and is CSCS certified.
As an experienced snorkeller and scuba-diver, Matt began his ecology career underwater overseas working on coral reef restoration before he began focusing on supporting local nature and biodiversity. Matt is very fond of hedgehogs and frogs alongside bats, and is deeply invested in managing his garden for wildlife. He is a keen hockey and cricket player- playing for the regional Men's teams.
James Walker BSc (Hons) MSc - Assistant Ecologist
James is an experienced ecologist with over three years’ experience working in a consultant capacity. He is experienced in delivering Extended Phase 1 Habitat surveys, Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Biodiversity Net Gain and Habitat Condition assessments, and conducting a variety of protected and non-protected species surveys. He holds a Bachelor’s in International Wildlife Biology and a Master's in Conservation and Biodiversity, and is currently in training for a Level 2 (CL18) Bat Class Survey Licence, being an active member of both the Devon Research and Cornwall Bat Groups. He is a qualifying member of CIEEM.
Before joining the team in 2023, James completed an internship at Doñana Biological Station in Seville, Spain conducting research on the thermal tolerance limits of organisms and the implications of climate change.
Born and raised in Cornwall, James loves the outdoors, having previously worked for National Trust at Lizard Point, and is fascinated with the county's flora and fauna, with a particular interest in bat conservation. Living an active lifestyle, he is a keen footballer, skier, and golfer, and starts each morning at the gym. He enjoys board and video games, and a proper good breakfast spot.
Ingrid Easton BA(Oxon) MSc - Assistant Ecologist
Ingrid is an experienced ecologist with over three years experience working in the field of ecology and conservation. She is experienced in delivering Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Biodiversity Net Gain and Habitat Condition assessments, and conducting a variety of protected and non-protected species surveys. She holds a Bachelor's from the University of Oxford in Biological Sciences and a Master's in Conservation and Biodiversity. Ingrid brings strong botanical, technical and ornithological knowledge to the team.
Before joining the team in 2025, Ingrid worked for Cornwall Wildlife Trust and ERCCIS under contract to Natural England on the Ancient Woodland Inventory, and her academic and professional experience spans a wide range of ecological and conservation contexts, including research into Asian big cat illegal wildlife trade dynamics, savannah ecosystem ecology in Kenya, large carnivore conservation in Central and Eastern Europe, and the effects of woodland edge dynamics on bird communities in the French Pyrenees.
Outside of this role, Ingrid is the Director of a conservation charity funding board, supporting exciting projects across the UK. She is also a keen surfer and spends much of her time exploring Cornwall’s diverse habitats, particularly in search of birds.
Finn Mawer BSc (Hons) MSc - Assistant Ecologist
Finn is an experienced ecologist with over two years’ experience working in the field of ecology and conservation. He is experienced in delivering Biodiversity Net Gain and Habitat Condition assessments, and conducting a variety of protected and non-protected species surveys. He holds a Bachelor’s in Biology and a Master’s in Land and Ecological Restoration, and is currently training for protected species licences, being an active member of Cornwall Bat Group and Cornwall Mammal Group, as well as a BTO bird ringing trainee.
Before joining the team in 2025, Finn contributed to native forest restoration in New Zealand and has volunteered for a variety of local and international organisations including Wildlife Sense and CWT on conservation projects.
Outside of professional ecology, Finn is a competitive boulderer and enjoys running charity marathons. He is a voracious bookworm, board game designer, passionate nature writer and photographer. On the weekends, he can often be found kayaking the Helford with a pair of bins searching for the elusive Kingfishers and Otters.
Debbie Barnard - Office Manager
Debbie is responsible for ensuring that things run smoothly and for staying on top of the invoicing and bills. She has several years’ experience as an office manager. She also has a medical degree from Wits University in Johannesburg and originally hails from South Africa.
Memberships and Certifications
Chartered Institute for Ecological and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
Chartered Institute for Ecological and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
Chartered Institute for Ecological and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
Our ecologists are members of CIEEM and as such are governed by their code of conduct and professional standards.
Construction Skills and Certification Scheme
Chartered Institute for Ecological and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
Chartered Institute for Ecological and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
Our ecologists are CSCS certified. CSCS certifications are used by the construction industry to show proper training in and awareness of health and safety. This is often required before working on construction sites.
Natural England Licencing
Chartered Institute for Ecological and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
Natural England Licencing
Our ecologists hold protected species survey licences covering Bats, Dormice and Barn Owls . These licences are issued by Natural England.