Ecology, biodiversity net gain, and open space consultancy for local authorities and developers across the UK.

Our team

BNG & green infrastructure team

Our green infrastructure team have worked with over 50+ local authorities in recent years, and have built up a considerable good reputation as industry experts. With very few companies in the UK providing this advice, our team have also helped developers with open space assessments, and have provided technical reports where development resulted in the loss of open space.

Ecology that works on the ground

Always someone to talk to

Reducing risk in the planning process

Free quotes and transparent pricing

Balancing ecology with project delivery

Direct access to experienced ecologists

Real-world land management expertise

Supporting sustainable communities

Trusted by Local Planning Authorities

Pragmatic solutions, proportional advice

Helping avoid planning delays

Surveys to BNG units - all in one place

Meet the team

Photo of Martin Smith

Martin Smith

Head of Biodiversity Net Gain and Green Infrastructure
BSc (Hons), ACIEEM
Photo of Kate Spencer

Kate Spencer

Principal Environmental Consultant
BSc (Hons), MCIEEM

Emily Preston

Principal Environmental Consultant
BA (Hons), ACIEEM

Ben Smurthwaite

Senior Biodiversity Net Gain Consultant
MSc, BSc (Hons)

Josie Lawrence

Biodiversity Net Gain Consultant
BSc (Hons)

Stefan Bigsby

Assistant Biodiversity Net Gain Consultant
MSc, BSc (Hons)

Martha Pickard Strange

Assistant Environmental Consultant
BSc (Hons)

We provide clear advice on survey requirements, seasonal windows, and how to align ecological input with your project timeline. 

All surveys are carried out in accordance with relevant legislation, including the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, and CIEEM best practice.

Receive a detailed breakdown
for your project

We provide tailored solutions to help you deliver high-quality, sustainable green spaces. Contact us today to discuss your needs. Whether you require:
Biodiversity net gain
Policy advice
Full strategy
Ecological assessments.

01225 444114

info@ethosep.co.uk 

Martin Smith

Head of Biodiversity Net Gain and Green Infrastructure
BSc (Hons), ACIEEM
Photo of Martin Smith

Martin is Head of Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure at Ethos Environmental Planning, where he leads the company’s Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure team. Martin began his career as an ecological consultant in 2017 and now specialises in delivering strategic Biodiversity Net Gain solutions, habitat bank design, and landscape-scale habitat restoration. He advises landowners, developers, and local authorities on the full BNG process, from baseline surveys through to habitat bank delivery and biodiversity unit sales. Martin combines strong technical ecological expertise with practical land management experience, ensuring biodiversity enhancements are policy-compliant, deliverable, and designed for long-term ecological success.

close

Kate Spencer

Principal Environmental Consultant
BSc (Hons), MCIEEM
Photo of Kate Spencer

Kate has been an Environmental Consultant at Ethos since 2015, specializing in open space and green infrastructure (GI) assessments and strategies. With experience managing over dozens of projects, she is a certified Building with Nature Assessor and a Full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). Her expertise includes delivering multifunctional green infrastructure solutions that meet various planning policy requirements, such as flood mitigation and biodiversity enhancement.

Kate’s background in parks management includes overseeing Green Flag Award sites, nature reserves, and a SSSI/SAC. She previously managed volunteer groups and provided ecological advice in a local authority role. She holds a BSc Hons in Biological Sciences from the University of Plymouth and has experience surveying protected species and botanical identification with Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC).

close

Emily Preston

Principal Environmental Consultant
BA (Hons), ACIEEM

Emily is a Principal Environmental Consultant at Ethos, where she has been since 2018. She leads consultation and engagement across the company while managing strategies, assessments, and frameworks within our Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure Team. She specialises in environmental strategies for local authorities, including open space assessments, green infrastructure, play strategies, rights of way surveys, and biodiversity strategies. An experienced project manager, Emily also supports business development, contributing to the growth and delivery across Ethos. Prior to joining Ethos, Emily was a Sites Manager at Ecotricity, managing landowner relations for renewable energy sites, leading project negotiations, and conducting feasibility assessments. She holds a BA (Hons) in Geography from the University of Portsmouth (2013) and is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.

close

Ben Smurthwaite

Senior Biodiversity Net Gain Consultant
MSc, BSc (Hons)

“Ben joined Ethos as an Ecologist in 2022, building on his experience with BNG, specialising and joining the newly formed Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure team at the end of 2024, as a Senior BNG Consultant.

Ben has a large range of experience carrying out habitat and protected species surveys, report writing, project management, and BNG assessments and HMMPs, and h9old level 1 Class Licences for bats and great crested newts, as well as being an accredited River Condition Assessment (RCA) surveyor.

Ben’s role currently predominantly revolves around working with a range of clients, including landowners, local authorities, conservation charities, and developers, to set up habitat banks working through initial site feasibility analysis to habitat surveys and producing HMMP, working with clients and stakeholders to achieve site objectives.

Ben also continues to support the ecology team with habitat and protected species surveys, BNG assessment for development and is also responsible for managing and advising projects requiring river conditions assessments. “

close

Josie Lawrence

Biodiversity Net Gain Consultant
BSc (Hons)

Josie joined Ethos in 2023 after graduating from Surrey University in 2022. She began her career as an assistant ecologist, completing a range of protected species surveys, UKHab assessments, and extensive bat call analysis. Her expertise and enthusiasm led to her promotion as a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Consultant. In her current role, Josie produces habitat management plans, BNG metrics and reports, and contributes to the reserved matters sections of planning applications. She specialises in creating plans that complement nature conservation with public access. Josie is an effective communicator, collaborating closely with clients and landowners to deliver successful outcomes. Josie has a comprehensive understanding of the BNG marketplace and excels at meeting the requirements of BNG for planning applications. Her skills and expertise ensure balanced, innovative solutions for biodiversity and development needs.

close

Stefan Bigsby

Assistant Biodiversity Net Gain Consultant
MSc, BSc (Hons)

Stefan joined Ethos in summer 2025 after completing his Masters from The University of Bristol in Environmental Policy and Management. He has undertaken various ecological surveys since 2022 for various organisations before joining Ethos as an Assistant Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Consultant. Stefan now contributes to report writing – focusing mainly on BNG reports and Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans – assisting in field surveys for both habitats and protected species, as well as various mapping tasks to complete BNG metrics and calculations.

close

Martha Pickard Strange

Assistant Environmental Consultant
BSc (Hons)

Martha has an honours degree from the University of Nottingham where she studied Geography. Following university, she worked for the NHS and joined Ethos in 2026. Martha works as an Assistant Environmental Consultant, focussing on the delivery of biodiversity habitat banks, biodiversity net gain planning applications, and environmental strategies.

close