Atmos Consulting's position as the consultancy of choice for some of the most respected companies around is thanks to the expertise and experience of our team.
Stewart Lowther - Managing Director
With over 18 years of environmental consultancy experience behind him, Chartered Environmentalist Stewart has worked on over 200 EIAs and 25 public inquiries. He is a full member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.
Business Unit Directors
Fraser Mackenzie - Director
Chartered town planner and Prince 2 accredited project manager Fraser has 15 years of large-scale renewable energy and infrastructure project experience. He heads a team of planners and EIA specialists who manage feasibility and EIA projects in north Scotland, as well as providing expert planning and environmental advice UK-wide.
Philip Lewis - Regional Director North England
Philip is a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and has 20 years of town and country planning experience gained in the public and private sectors in England and Scotland. He has extensive experience in development control and planning policy development at a senior level. Philip specialises in planning for renewable energy and environmental planning, but also has broad experience of general development and rural planning issues. He has acted as expert planning witness at four wind farm public inquiries for both private and public sector clients, in England and Scotland and has wide experience in other planning appeal work. Philip is also qualified as an Industrial Archaeologist and has considerable experience in planning for the historic environment.
Lesley Dinnett - Technical Director (EIA)
Lesley has worked in the environmental consultancy and regulatory sectors for over 15 years. Involved in a wide variety of projects, for both public and private clients ranging from environmental assessment of the impacts posed by infrastructure projects to greenfield /brownfield redevelopment projects, site investigation and remediation, constraints and abnormals assessment, due diligence and environmental impact and planning assessment. An experienced project manager, projects include breakwaters, harbours, riverside and marine development projects as well as land regeneration and redevelopment projects. More recently she has been involved in the delivery of masterplanning projects from the Baltic States to North Africa and the Middle and Far East focusing on all environmental, sustainability and engineering issues from identifying alternative energy sources to water management, transport opportunities and key sustainability factors.
Karen Atkins - Technical Director (Ecology)
With over 19 years of experience as an Ecological Consultant in professional practice, Karen has finely honed, specialist skills in the areas of ecological assessment and mitigation, specifically relating to protected species.
Principals
Matthew Hopkins - Principal Ecologist
Matthew has over 12 years experience in the fields of ecology and aquatic science. His primary role includes the preparation and review of Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) required to inform Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Environmental Appraisals. Matthew has a wide array of project experience including masterplanning for community based developments, roads and bridges, water and wastewater treatment schemes, transmission line reconductoring schemes, and flood prevention schemes. His recent commissions include 20 projects within the Scottish renewable energy sector, with particular emphasis on wind farms and hydro-electric power.
Jon Huckle - Principal Ecologist
Jon has over 15 years experience as professional ecologist with over 8 years as an ecological consultant. Jon is an extremely competent and experienced field ecologist, with particular specialisms in botany and ornithology, and has obtained a wealth of experience in applying ecological theory and knowledge in a creative, practical and pragmatic way. He has a deep understanding of EU and UK legislation and policy in relation to ecology, and in integrating nature conservation issues with other sectors such as energy, transport and property. He has extensive experience of Environmental Assessments, including preparing ecological chapters of numerous Environmental Statements, and information for Habitats Regulations assessments. Jon sits on the IEEM Professional Affairs Committee and is Treasurer of the NW Regional Section.
Roger McMichael - Principal Project Manager
An ecologist by training Roger has worked on development projects for the renewables and aquaculture industry in Scotland and New Zealand over the past 17 years. For the last seven years he has developed a detailed knowledge in the renewables sector with a focus on on-shore wind and hydro projects working for public sector agencies including Scottish Natural Heritage and since 2008 with Atmos. Roger has worked on a wide range of renewables projects with the experience within SNH of particular value to projects facing issues where that agency has concerns. He provides specialist advice on a number of projects specifically on SNH related issues. He works with the project management team of planners and EIA specialists who manage feasibility, scoping, technical assessments and EIA projects in northern Scotland.