I am an expert in urban ecology and urban design, and as a Trustee for the Land Trust I chair their Biodiversity, Ecology and Environment advisory group.

I have led the UK arm of international research projects on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As a Chartered Surveyor I have substantial real estate practice experience. In 2013 I was recruited by the University of Sheffield to help develop the intellectual underpinnings of a new Urban Institute which is now concerned with developing/testing future cities strategies via co-production involving academia, public sector and industry partnerships. Prior to this, I delivered Deloitte’s Real Estate’s Building Carbon Management Services (BCMS) offer, and led their sustainable design advice work. This involved helping to optimise the wider sustainability performance of strategic, masterplanning and building level projects.

I am an Accredited Professional for BREEAM and LEED, and have assessed various projects through the BREEAM Communities scheme. I served as a member of the BRE’s Standing Panel of Experts, and Yorkshire and Humber’s Regional Design Review Panel. I have a PhD in climate change ecology for the United Nations Environment Programme, and have published academic papers on urban ecology, urban biodiversity, biomimicry, and urban innovation strategies.