David has joined Michael Woods Associates to provide additional technical expertise to the team, in particular in with respect to bats and dormice. David provides guidance to all staff on the design and procedures for ecological surveys and is responsible for undertaking technical reviews of ecological appraisals and assessments. Given David’s extensive experience he takes the lead on all protected species licensing work within the company.

Rachel joined Michael Woods Associates in 2010 and was promoted to Senior Ecologist in 2011. Rachel has now hung up her survey boots, and has taken on the role of Office Manager, continuing in her role as a member of the senior team. She now provides business support to Tom, managing the day-to-day accounts and helping to develop and implement company policies and procedures. Rachel also offers project administration support to the ecologists, as well as providing technical advice to clients and colleagues.

Polly has been working for Michael Woods Associates since 2010, having previously gained a wealth of survey and project management experience as an Environmental Consultant within the engineering sector.

Polly has a wide range of skills with a particular expertise in the design and implementation of reptile and amphibian mitigation, and helps train our team members in the survey of all herptofauna. She also provides expertise in environmental and ecological management plans and BREEAM assessments. Polly is an excellent project manager, and has successfully delivered some of our largest projects, producing high quality reports and ecologically sound mitigation to time and within budget.

Harry also joined the team in 2010, and is our expert ornithologist, taking the lead in this area for the business. With over 5 years experience as an Ecological Consultant, Harry is an extremely competent Phase 1 and protected species surveyor, and works closely with clients and local planning authorities to ensure appropriate ecological mitigation is incorporated within development proposals.

Harry helps to train team members on bat survey techniques and sonogram analysis, using a wide range of detectors, recorders and software, and takes the lead in designing and delivering badger mitigation; as well as these areas of expertise, Harry is a licensed surveyor of bats, great crested newts, rare reptiles and barn owls.

Hannah has a background in animal behaviour and conservation, spending 10 years as a research ornithologist in North and South America. Since returning to the UK, she has trained at a leading centre for conservation biology, the Somerset Environmental Records Centre. Hannah is an extremely knowledgeable ecologist able to undertake a broad range of ecological surveys to a high standard. Hannah holds a bat survey and handling licence and she is rapidly forging a niche for herself as the company's lead in bat mitigation. Hannah also manages our ever expanding portfolio of renewable energy projects, with particular experience of solar arrays, from community level to some of the most ambitious proposals in the country!

Andy joined Michael Woods Associates in April 2012 bringing expertise in bat, dormice and great crested newt work as well as considerable experience in the management and delivery of large scale engineering projects. Since joining MWA, Andy has been working for a variety of clients, preparing and delivering both Dormouse and Bat Development Licence applications, for statutory bodies, homeowners and commercial developers.

Andy has undertaken a significant volume of fieldwork, including managing one project to assess the behaviour of greater horseshoe bats near a known hibernation site, as well as great crested newt and reptile translocation projects.

Jo has over ten years experience as an ecological consultant to date, and brings to the team strong field skills, together with a breadth of experience in protected species mitigation. Jo holds Natural England survey licences for bats, dormice and great crested newts, and is busy delivering mitigation for all three species having joined the MWA team in spring 2013.

Joel joined the MWA team at the beginning of 2012, bringing within him expertise in the survey and assessment of bat populations gained during his MSc research project from the University of Exeter. Since he joined the team, Joel has worked tirelessly on a variety on projects, gaining a vast amount of protected species survey experience. He also won the Michael Woods Associates 'Red Eye' Award for the most number of bat surveys completed in the year!

Entering his third year at MWA, Pete is a diligent project manager and experienced ecologist, working closely with Hannah to deliver much of the ecological survey and mitigation advice for our renewable energy clients. Pete leads on a number of great crested newt and bat projects, and whilst working towards his bat licence he supports Jo and Hannah prepare and deliver their EPS Mitigation Licences from Natural England.

Frankie brings great enthusiasm to the team, and is rapidly gaining expertise in all manner of field and office based work, supporting the Ecologists in delivering ecological surveys and mitigation. Frankie gained experience in survey work for herpetofauna and bats during her first year as an ecological consultant in 2013, and will be expanding her skill set by training for her dormouse licence this year.

Merle joined the team in August 2013, immediately lending her skills to field surveys for reptiles and bats. She settled in quickly, and has proved herself to be immensely helpful to the other ecologists to ensure projects are delivered on time. Prior to joining Michael Woods Associates Merle acquired a wealth of great crested newt survey experience, and is looking forward to a busy newt survey and translocation season in the coming year.

To meet the demands of the growing team here at MWA, Alison joined the team in late 2013, providing administrative support to the ecologists and acting as the main point of contact for all finance related queries. Alison is likely to be the friendly voice on the end of the phone when you call us up!