MEET THE TEAM
Our small, friendly team includes core members of staff supported by seasonal field ecologists throughout our busy summer season. Our permanent members of staff hold years of experience in the field and have successfully managed a variety of projects, from small-scale applications right through to major development projects. We have a particular expertise with bats and development, from the initial roost inspection right through to bat European Protected Species (EPS) licensing.
Amy Parsons ACIEEM
Principal ecologist (founder)
Amy has years of experience in the ecology field and has achieved FISC level 4, conducting protected species surveys including bats, great crested newts, dormice, badgers and reptiles. She has supervised ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) for reptiles, bats, great crested newts, nesting birds, badgers, water voles, otters and dormice. She currently holds Natural England Class licences for bats, dormice and great crested newts. Amy now works on a part time basis as our Biodiversity Net Gain expert and reviewer.
Becci Smith MCIEEM
Principal ecologist (founder)
Becci is one of the only ecologists in the UK to hold the Bat Earned Recognition licence (for all Annexes) and holds the Bat Mitigation Class Licence (BMCL). She has successfully managed large-scale projects, including the Aldershot Urban Extension in Hampshire where she had conducted field work, delivered advice and developed a myriad of bat mitigation strategies over the course of five years. She currently holds 100s bat mitigation licences and holds Natural England Class licences for bats, dormice, great crested newts, sand lizards and smooth snakes and barn owls. She notably manages high conservation status bat roosts including maternity and hibernation roosts for horseshoe and grey long-eared bats along with other notable roosts such as serotine maternity, barbastelle day roosts and most roosts types for 14 of the 17 native species. Becci has achieved FISC level 4 and is also MoRpH river condition assessment certified and leads Preliminary ecological assessments.
Russell Hoyle ACIEEM
Principal ecologist (founder)
Russell has extensive experience in producing EPS bat licenses and supervising bat-related projects, effectively addressing development-related issues. He is skilled in conducting protected species surveys and holds an NPTC Level 2 Certificate in Brushcutting Operations. Additionally, Russell possesses Natural England Class licenses for bats, great crested newts, and is a licensed surveyor for barn owls.
Philip Smith ACIEEM
Senior Ecologist
Phil has extensive experience in ecology, focusing on bat projects for homeowners and small developments. He has held bat mitigation licences and holds Natural England class licences for bats, great crested newts, smooth snakes, sand lizards, white-clawed crayfish and barn owls. He enjoys sharing his knowledge of botany (FISC level 4) and protected species with the team whilst conducting surveys in the field.
James Gooding
Ecologist
James graduated from The University of Exeter in 2019 with a BSc in Environmental science. He has experience in assisting with a range of surveys for protected species including bats, great crested newts, hazel dormice, and reptiles. James has a Class 1 bat licence and Great crested newt licence.
Emily Parsons
Assistant ecologist
Emily graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2022 with a BSc in Wildlife Conservation. She has experience in ecological surveys, including PEAs, PRAs, and bat activity surveys, as well as BNG projects and surveying protected species like dormice and great crested newts. Currently, Emily is working towards her Natural England class 2 bat license and aims to obtain dormouse and barn owl licenses.
Jonathan Cornish
Assistant ecologist
Jonny joined the ABR team in 2024 after earning a postgraduate degree in Ecological Survey Techniques from Oxford University. He assists with conducting PEAs, PRAs, and BNG projects, and has experience with nature conservation groups conducting botanical surveys of woodlands, grasslands, and meadows. Jonny is also working towards obtaining protected species licenses for bats, amphibians, and reptiles while enhancing his botanical and bryological identification skills.
Ben Coward
Assistant ecologist
Following graduation from Bournemouth University with an MSc in Biodiversity Conservation, Ben has worked on both large and small projects and has survey experience with water vole, dormice, reptiles, bats and birds. Joining ABR in early 2025, Ben has continued to gain experience with a range of bat and Biodiversity Net Gain related work, including writing reports and assisting on surveys. Outside of work, Ben is a keen birdwatcher, runner and climber.
Poppy
Head of barketing
Poppy supports the office by serving as the head of barketing, greeting visitors at the door, and assisting with floor cleaning.
Sophie Morris
Ecologist
Sophie has been working in the ecology industry since 2017. She has experience in assisting and leading protected species surveys including those for bats, great crested newts, nesting birds and reptiles. Sophie has a particular interest in botany and has a NE class 1 bat licence, great crested newt licence and barn owl licence.
Zoe Barrett
Ecologist
Zoe graduated from Bournemouth University with an MSc in Biodiversity Conservation. She has experience assisting with a range of surveys including Preliminary Roost Appraisals, Preliminary Ecological Appraisals and bat activity surveys. Zoe has a Class 1 Bat Licence and sits on the Biodiversity Net Gain team. Zoe is currently working towards her dormice and barn owl licences.
Peter Allen
Assistant ecologist
Peter graduated from Swansea University with an MSc in Environmental Biology. He has experience assisting with a range of surveys including Preliminary Roost Appraisals, Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, bat activity surveys and undertakes Biodiversity Net Gain assessments. Peter primarily sits on the Biodiversity Net Gain team at ABR Ecology and is currently working towards his Natural England Class 1 bat Licence.
Alexandra Homewood
Assistant ecologist
Alex holds a BSc in Ecology and Wildlife Conservation from Bournemouth University. She has assisted with various surveys, including bat activity, Preliminary Roost Appraisals, and Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, and has experience with other protected species like reptiles and hazel dormice. Currently, she is pursuing her Natural England class 1 bat licence and is interested obtaining dormice and barn owl licences.
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Keeley Lanigan
Graduate ecologist
Keeley holds a BSc in Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution and an MSc in Biology from the University of California, San Diego. She has assisted with a variety of ecological surveys, including Preliminary Roost Appraisals, Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, bat emergence surveys, reptile and dormice surveys. Currently, she is working towards earning her Natural England class 1 bat license and is also interested in obtaining protected species licenses for, great crested newts, and barn owls.
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Moose Barrett
Chief pawject manager
Moose supports the office by serving as Chief Pawject Manager. Most of his time is spent collaborating with the head of barketing and assisting with the morale of the team.
Field/seasonal ecologists roles
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We are always seeking seasonal/field ecologists to support us during our busy field season. We are seeking enthusiastic and hard working individuals to join our well-established and growing team to assist in field work for a wide range of projects, mainly involving bat surveys, although there may be opportunities to undertake works involving reptiles and other protected species. If you think this might be of interest to you, then please send us your CV and a cover letter/email detailing your experience and qualifications to abrecology@gmail.com. Hours to be variable including both night time/early morning and weekend work. Full UK driving licence is preferred and eligibility to work in the UK essential.
