Paul Hudson – Principal Ecologist
Head of Cardiff Office
Paul graduated with a degree in Environmental Biology from Reading University. He is a competent ecological surveyor with over 25 years experience in ecology survey and mitigation design.
His main area of expertise is in undertaking bat surveys, national vegetation classification, habitat surveys and preliminary ecological appraisals, and as a wind turbine and windfarm specialist. He holds licences to disturb bats, great crested newts, dormice and barn owls.
Connect with Paul on Linkedin.
Ruth Martin – Operations and Finance Manager
Ruth has over 9 years experience in the legal and ecology sectors. She manages finance, business operations, client care and other office based functions – basically anything that liberates our lovely ecologists to focus on ecology! Ruth is an animal lover with a keen interest in wildlife, conservation and public policy; she is vegan and alongside her work with Acer she obtained her MSc (with Distinction) in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law in 2020. Ruth occasionally brings in her Christmas special (aka her vegan truffles) – a day we all look forward to in the Acer office!
Anita-May Connors – Assistant Ecologist
Anita graduated with a degree in International Wildlife Biology from the University of South Wales. Anita has 2 years of experience in ecological consultancy work including protected species surveys, BNG, PEA’s and PRA’s, etc. Anita is a huge animal lover who is always out on a hike enjoying all mother nature has to offer – or she’s fostering puppies with dogs trust, which is one way to get all of our staff into the office!
Charlotte Ingram – Assistant Ecologist
Charlotte graduated from the University of South Wales with a BSc in International Wildlife Biology. Charlotte has managed numerous complex projects during her time with us here at Acer, and has experience with CEMP’s, LEMP’s, projected species surveys (including dormouse, GCN, dusk and dawn emergence surveys, reptile surveys, PEA’s and PRA’s). She also has skills with bat sound analysis software and QGIS. Charlotte enjoys spending time in nature with her amazing kids who are already becoming little wildlife warriors just like their mother!
Evan Smith – Assistant Ecologist
From a young age, Evan has been a true outdoorsman, and post-uni , he decided to pursue his career in ecology. Evan has got 2 survey seasons worth of experience under his belt, including ECoW, dusk emergence surveys and reptile surveys, and is an avid nature lover with a huge passion for the outdoors. Evan is our chief puppy sitter in the office, and is pictures here with one of Anita’s foster pups!
Anasha Pradhan – Assistant Ecologist
Anasha graduated with an MSc in Environmental Biology from Swansea University and has since been developing her skills in ecological assessments and QGIS. Born and raised in Nepal, surrounded by mountains, she has a deep love for wildlife and a passion for environmental conservation since childhood.
Outside of work, Anasha enjoys spending time in nature, and loves photography, music and gaming.
Jack Martin – Assistant Ecologist
Jack has a BSc in Zoology and an MSc in Wetland Science and Conservation and has recently started working as an Assistant Ecologist with Acer! Jack enjoys a good hike around his home turf in Ireland, and is a huge fan of the Welsh landscape including some of the wetlands in Snowdonia.
Louise Cooper – Assistant Ecologist
Louise graduated from the University of South Wales with a BSc in Natural History, and is currently working towards and MSc in Wildlife and Conservation Management. Louise has experience in report writing, ecological surveying and QGIS mapping. Louise is also our admin super hero, doing an amazing job of staying in touch with our clients and keeping on top of tenders!
Peggy ‘bat sniffer’
Peggy is our professional sniffer dog. She has the important task of searching for bird and bat carcasses near wind turbine sites as part of post-construction monitoring. Unfortunately, some birds and bats collide with the turbines, but with the help of Peggy, we are trying to do our bit to understand the impact turbines may have upon these populations.
Peggy has poor IT skills and consequently is not on LinkedIn. In her spare time, Peggy can often be seen enjoying the surf on various South Wales beaches.
Doris ‘cheese thief’
Doris is our chief well being officer here at Acer, ensuring all of our staff are suitably satisfied with their daily dose of floofiness! She loves nothing more than a nature walk with her mum (Charlotte).
Doris is known for being the office cheese thief, with other other specialties in her field being the chicken thief and champion in the zoomies department.
