Dan, a principal consultant, has a Masters degree in Environmental Science from the University of Southampton and specialises in biodiversity and conservation.
As a kid, I loved spotting and watching animals. I remember being a 6 year old, walking in the Suisse mountains with my parents and running after grasshoppers as they jumped rock to rock. Since then, I’ve learnt best not to chase animals anymore, but my enthusiasm to spot and watch animals has only increased. As I’ve progressed through my academic and professional life, I’ve become acutely aware of our impacts as humans on the natural world and I have a real drive to ensure we can limit that as much as possible so that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy wildlife, just like I did.
During my A-levels at school, I studied Biology, Geography and Chemistry and this got the ball rolling in my interest for the natural world. I then studied a Masters in Environmental Science, specialising in a Biodiversity & Conservation pathway. This really drove my passion in making a difference for biodiversity and nature more widely. Following university, I wanted to take this passion into my professional career. I’ve had a slightly wiggly path to where I am today. I had a stint as an ecologist on HS2, undertaking bat, newt, reptile and owl surveys, getting some great hands on experience with the wildlife I’m keen to protect. From there, I moved to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as a Policy Advisor, then Senior Policy Advisor, for 3.5 years. I sat in both the Trees, Woodlands and Forestry policy team leading on urban forestry and ancient woodland policy and funding streams, as well as having a 6 month stint in the UN and Multilateral Engagement team, trying to push nature up the agenda at the UN and OECD in particular. From 2022 onwards, I have worked at Biodiversify, first as Senior Consultant and then for the last 2 years as Principal Consultant. My previous career experience has provided that perfect knowledge base for my current role, providing the policy, framework and real, practical, on-the-ground, experience allowing me to provide the best advice possible to my clients. As Corporate Nature Strategy Lead and Project Director, my experience also allows me to suggest the best possible target and action roadmaps to allow my clients to make the most ambitious but achievable commitments possible to best protect biodiversity and nature more broadly, but also allow our clients to build resilience to changes and fluctuations in nature, into their direct operations and supply chains.
Bit general, but habitat destruction more broadly. It saddens me when we see huge terrestrial clearings for agriculture, mining and other land uses where crucial habitats are destroyed right in front of our eyes. And its not just land-based as well, we are seeing completely unsustainable aquaculture practices, leading to population collapses of fish, mammals and other organisms. Doing what I can both personally and professionally to avoid and reduce such impacts is something I am very passionate about.
I lead on Corporate Nature Strategy.
In the UK, I would say the Lake District. Beyond the beautiful scenery and landscapes, it is where my partner and I had our civil partnership, so it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Whale Sharks. The most amazing, beautiful, stunning, gentle giants. Was lucky enough to snorkel with some in Madagascar and it was the best experience of my life.
Conducting a night mist netting bat survey where I got to handle the most beautiful Pipistrelle bat. It’s wings were amazing!
It may seem slightly hypocritical, but I don’t do loads of nature or environmental volunteering in my spare time. Climate and nature anxiety is a real thing and it can sometimes feel all slightly doom and gloom, so I try and step away from the day job in evenings and weekends. I tend to spend my spare time trying to enjoy nature to its fullest. I am very fortunate to live near Richmond Park in London, so I spend a lot of my spare time there with my partner and dog. Otherwise, you may find me on a football pitch from time to time!
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