Group members are available for consulting work
in a wide range of specialist fields.

Trevor Abell has 35 years of professional experience in tropical forest management and natural resource planning with 17 years long-term duty within Africa – particularly, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya and Ghana and further long-term assignments in Indonesia and Nepal in addition to a series of short term studies in other countries. He has acquired substantial expertise in institutional support, team leadership, project management and project preparation as well as the technical aspects of forest inventory, forest planning and the management of natural forest and plantations.

Hugh Bagnall-Oakeley

CV

With over 15 years experience in Rural Development and Agribusiness, in addition to 10 years team leadership and project management experience. A team player, using a multi-disciplinary approach, his experience includes farmer institutional development, agricultural extension in both a privatised and publicly funded context, institutional change, soil fertility management, natural resource management, soil and water conservation, on-farm and on station research, agri-business development, agri-business planning, community development, participatory appraisal in a rural livelihoods context. He has extensive project management and project management cycle experience specifically in project preparation, log frame development, strategy formulation, work plan development monitoring and project evaluation, reporting, basic accountancy and budgeting. He has worked for DFID, EU, World Bank, FAO, African Development Bank and private enterprise. Worked in India, Eastern and Southern Africa (Uganda, Kenya and Namibia), South East Asia (Indonesia), Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. Has published over 50 reports and 12 papers.

Roger Bancroft

CV

Roger Bancroft is a plant pathologist and has worked with plant diseases and physiological disorders for 30 years. His specialism is the post-harvest management of fresh horticultural produce (fruits, flowers, vegetables, spices, bulbs and root crops etc.) and agricultural crops (such as grains, cereals and oilseeds etc.) and the identification and amelioration of rots, moulds and quality defects that arise during their trading and marketing. He is often commissioned to: investigate the defective ripening of fruits or the cause of deterioration, spoilage and mycotoxin production in storage facilities, containers, reefer and ships’ cargoes etc.; undertake studies to determine weaknesses in supply chains; appraise post-harvest handling practices; quantify biological and economic losses, and prepare forensic expert witness reports and testimony. With over 20 years experience of teaching storage biology, pathology, physiology and post-harvest technology to a wide range of clients from producers, traders, extension staff, importers/exporters to university and PhD students, he is well placed to design and deliver bespoke training courses and prepare dissemination materials. Roger has been engaged in technology transfer, and research and development projects in the UK, the Caribbean and Africa. Most initiatives have involved the study and application of technical interventions and the modification of handling practices to reduce post-harvest losses. He has experience in all aspects of project realisation from conception and design to day-to-day management, reporting and evaluation. Inherent in all such projects has been capacity building of individuals, teams and resource groups.

Country Experience:
Armenia, China, Italy, Kenya, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, USA, Yemen.

Bob Douthwaite

CV

Bob is an environmental management specialist with over 35 years experience in Africa and South East Asia. Trained as an applied ecologist he initially worked on long-term, field-based research projects aimed at assessing the impact of tsetse fly control and other pest management programmes on wildlife. From 1990 he spent four years as Head of the Field Ecology Section at the Natural Resources Institute, UK before being seconded to IUCN as Technical Adviser to the National Wetlands Programme in Uganda. From 1996 he has worked as an independent consultant, specialising in situation analysis, scoping studies, environmental assessment (both strategic and project-level EIA), and environmental audit, particularly for hydropower development and integrated water resource management (IWRM) projects, and for environmental policy development. Recent commissions include work as Chief Environmentalist for the Mepanda Uncua and Cahora Bassa North Hydropower Project in Mozambique; for UNDP as environmental consultant to the Government of Zambia, responsible for preparing the National Environmental Situational Analysis Report; and environmental consultant to the Zambezi River Authority, responsible for analysing the causes and severity of environmental problems in the river basin as part of the development of an Integrated Water Resources Management Strategy for the Zambezi River Basin (ZACPRO 6.2).

Simon Eden-Green

CV

Simon has a background in plant pathology and crop protection. He has worked with developing countries for over thirty years and is a recognized authority on plant diseases caused by bacteria and phytoplasmas, and their insect vectors. His experience includes winning, implementing and leading research and development projects (including pests and diseases of coconut, oil palm, clove, banana, maize, and the development of plant protection services); commissioning, monitoring and evaluating research led by others (as manager of a DFID Crop Protection Programme); and institutional development (as head of a UK research department). Whilst advocating strongly for role of research in reducing poverty, Simon also recognizes that knowledge alone will rarely provide a magic bullet. A range of developmental or facilitating processes are usually required to enable research outputs to improve livelihoods and achieve developmental impact. His interests lie in fostering and facilitating this process through promoting better awareness, participation and communication between researchers, policy makers and the constituents they serve.

Country Experience:
Belize, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Grenada, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, USA.

Stéphane Flasse

Short CV: en fr
EC format: in English
en Français

Trained in agronomy and remote sensing, Stéphane has over 15 years experience in the interpretation and use of environmental information (inc. remote sensing and GIS) and its integration into a local context for improving decision-making. Stéphane thrives on understanding and linking end-user and sciences/technology, as well as building inter-disciplinary connexions. His experience covers project leadership, training, research, facilitation, consultancy and advisory in a variety of areas including forest fire management, disease vector/pest control, food security and agriculture (mostly in developing countries), and education in Europe. Enthusiastic, committed and multi-lingual, Stéphane likes team work.

Country Experience:
Botswana, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mali, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Republic of Guinea, Somalia, South Africa.

Benoit Glaud

CV

Trained in analytical chemistry and microbiology, Benoit has 12 years experience in the analysis of pesticides, mycotoxins, vitamins and other contaminants in food and environmental samples. He has acquired considerable expertise in laboratory management including staff training and appraisal, quality control systems (Good Laboratory Practice, ISO 9001), equipment procurement and installation. He is fluent in French and English, has excellent practical skills and extensive IT knowledge. Benoit has recently been working on an EU project supporting the supply and installation of laboratory equipment in developing countries.

Country Experience:
Rwanda, Mali, Mauritania, UK, Belgium

Ian Grant

CV
Publications

An ecotoxicologist with 35 years (27 of those in developing countries) of environmental impact/ecosystem assessments of pesticides and other organic pollutants (PAHs and other petroleoum hydrocarbons) in soil and aquatic ecosystems. Skilled in the design and validation of ecological monitoring/ surveillance programmes, and in reviewing and amending intervention procedures/ programmes to minimise the hazards and risks to wildlife and ecosystems, particularly those involving area-wide control of pests and vectors of disease. Interested in the relationships between agricultural development and environmental impact, decision making and policy. Extensive field, project and research management experience. Consulting and advisory roles undertaken for government, development banks, donors and the private sector. Programme and project review, including environmental screening.

Mike Holland

CV

Mike has over 30 years experience of long-term assignments and short missions on: project identification and design; and financial, personnel and technical management of large development projects and government departments. He is very much the generalist, with rural development expertise encompassing: social and technical aspects of soil and water conservation; environmental assessment; land-use and natural resource planning; farmer support services; smallholder crop and livestock production; livelihood systems; indigenous peoples’ development; small-scale irrigation; forestry and sawmill management. He is fluent in the Mauritian Creole language and has excellent Spanish.

Hannah Jaenicke

CV
EU format CV

Hannah is specialist in agrobiodiversity and related subjects, spanning agroforestry, horticulture, nutrition and health, plant propagation, product marketing and integrated rural development. She is a dynamic programme manager and team leader with 18 years professional experience in Africa and Asia. After starting as a plant researcher with a doctorate in tree physiology, she focussed on an international career in international development, concentrating on programme management in increasingly responsible positions, e.g. as Deputy Manager of the DFID Forestry Research Programme and, most recently, the Director of the International Centre for Underutilized Crops/Crops for the Future. She integrates academic and development expertise with a focus on alleviating hunger and poverty and improving livelihoods. She spent 10 years living in Africa and 4.5 in Asia, has great interest in the training and mentoring of younger people, and provides strategic leadership to R&D partners. She also has a keen eye for communication of research and development results to enhance impact at several levels and is experienced in proposal writing and evaluation as well as commissioning projects. She is the incoming Chair of the Commission on Plant Genetic Resourcs of the International Society for Horticultural Sciences.

Elizabeth Kiff

CV
On-Line CV

Elizabeth Kiff is an independent consultant with over 20 years experience. She holds a masters in Agricultural Research and Development from the University of East Anglia and is currently studying for a masters in Environmental Strategy at Surrey University. She has expertise in project design and implementation; results-based management; monitoring and evaluation; research and research programme management; training and the communication of research outputs. Recent assignments include identification and implementation of sustainable farming systems in watershed management projects in India with DfID and FINNIDA in Vietnam. She has considerable experience of evaluations, reviews and impact assessments, such as mid-term reviews for the EU in Bhutan and Tajikistan, Country Programme Evaluations for IFAD (Sudan and Pakistan) and DfID (Nepal) and project evaluations in DPR Korea and Indonesia. With long-term overseas experience in the Philippines, Nepal, India and Ghana, she has particular experience of issues relating to farm intensification, crop-livestock interactions, crop diversification and the farm-forest interface.

Country Experience:
Bhutan, Ghana, India, Indonesia, North Korea, Nepal, Philippines, Sudan, Tajikistan, Vietnam, Zimbabwe.

Bruce King

CV

Bruce has a wide field experience covering forty years of developing airphoto interpretation and satellite remote sensing and of managing projects for land resource assessment, land use planning and environmental forestry projects. He has extensive experience of southern and eastern Africa, Indonesia and Belize. His more recent experience includes managing an environmental forestry project, working with villagers to establish forest reserve boundaries, advising forestry staff on how to monitor activities along the forest reserve boundaries from satellite imagery and rapid production of potential and current land use maps for tsetse eradication and pastoral projects. He has pariticular experience in mapping land cover - essential for determining effects of climate change and/or environmental degradation.

Country Experience:
South Africa, Ethiopia, Belize, Indonesia, Liberia. Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, Zambia.

Cathy Mackenzie

C.V.

Catherine is a multi-disciplinary development specialist, with degrees in social anthropology, forestry and zoology. She has over twenty-five years experience in rural development and natural resources management, particularly participatory and livelihoods approaches to forestry and marine and terrestrial biodiversity conservation. Recent work has included preparation of a REDD-Readiness PIN for Vietnam, and planning for social dimensions (tenure, governance, benefit sharing) of pioneering REDD and climate change adaptation projects. Her work also applies core skills in social, poverty, policy and institutional analysis, monitoring and evaluation, impact assessment, research and teaching. She has experience in all phases of the project management cycle (identification, preparation, appraisal, management, technical advice, monitoring, evaluation), working with World Bank, FAO, GEF, DFID, EU, DGIS, ADB, IUCN, FFI, SNV, and others. An enthusiastic team worker and effective communicator, she has managed long-term participatory forestry projects in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. She has been involved in biodiversity conservation work in Ghana (bushmeat), Mongolia, Tibet, Guyana, Indonesia, Bolivia, Brasil, Tanzania, the Galapagos and the Caribbean. Catherine’s recent short-term consultancies include: Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade project preparation mission in Indonesia; Poverty and Social Impact Analysis on the cotton sector in Benin; Technical Advisory Group meeting for invasive species control project in the Galapagos and bamboo livelihoods in China, and she has an on-going involvement monitoring forest governance in Mozambique. She is a scuba-diver, rides motorcycles, has her PPL, and speaks fluent Indonesian, very good Portuguese, functional French and Spanish and basic Vietnamese. Catherine is UK-based and available for long or short-term consultancies.

Kate Meadows

CV
On-Line CV

Social Development Consultant, has over twenty years experience in social protection (social impact assessments) and social development (sustainable, socio-economic -community- development). Experience gained working worldwide (including 21 African countries; Anglophone and Francophone) with the United Nations, European Union, World Bank, DFID, African Governments, African and Asian Development Banks, NGOs, the corporate sector (transport, energy and mining), education establishments and the media. With a PhD in Social Analysis of Post Apartheid Community Development her skills developed include: Social Impact Assessments and socio-economic baselines for Resettlement Action Plans – using a community consultation/stakeholder empowerment and risks/benefits approach; CommunitySocial Development and Livelihoods Analysis focus on environment and rural development; Participatory Appraisal and Community Needs Assessments; Socio-economic and Community Analysis; Poverty, situation and policy analysis including stakeholder assessment, identification of interest groups, human rights issues and government and community liaison; Governance Assessment and Institutional Strengthening; Policy Advice for Poverty Reduction Strategies (mainstreaming gender and environmental issues); Teaching, training and capacity building - workshops and lectures as well as dissemination of information through radio, video, CD Rom and publications ranging from academic to public relations and policy guidelines for governments and multilateral organizations.

Alan Mills

CV

Alan is a geographer with 15 years experience of information management, natural resource management, biogeographical research and development. He is a specialist in development issues in small island developing states and shared information sources for cross-agency use, and is working currently in the Caribbean and South Atlantic . He has extensive experience in Geographical information Systems (GIS), database design and execution, mapping and programming, analysis and in management of corporate scale GIS. Alan has a Masters degree in remote sensing and has worked with aerial photography, low and high-resolution satellite imagery. Interests include island systems environmental management, coastal zone management, fisheries information, disaster management, land use and management, pest control and physical planning. Alan has strong teaching skills and has trained personnel in GIS, remote sensing, programming and natural resource management.

Judith Pender

CV

Wyn Richards

CV

Linda Ritchie

CV

Linda is an Information Systems professional (CEng, MBCS) whose recent work has centred on providing Access databases linked to ArcView GIS for the management of migrant pests. The systems are in use in more than 30 less-developed countries. She has lived and worked in Africa (Kenya and Malawi). She has analysed existing manual and computerised knowledge systems and facilitated participatory assessment of current user requirements, developed database systems with online help and automatic installation. She has strong interests in capacity-building, via coaching, training and mentoring of database system users and developers and in problem-solving. A secondary interest is in financial systems including invoicing, tax issues, membership databases and basic accounting for local charities.

Mark Ritchie

CV
On-Line CV

Mark has been involved in agricultural development, especially in Africa, Central Asia and SE Asia for more than 30 years. In the last 15 years he has undertaken diverse consulting assignments in environmental impact assessment and in project evaluation for JICA, the EC, ADB, and the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He led a farming systems development project for DFID in Malawi (1996-2000) and a locust management project for the Asian Development Bank in Kazakhstan (2001-2003) and worked as an adviser in IPM for UNDP in East Timor (2004-5). During 2009-2010 he has been working with the HALO Trust to assist them in promoting linkages between mineclearance and development and enhancing understanding within the sector of the controversial concept of land release and the appropriate evaluation of mine clearance outputs and outcomes (see report). Mark has considerable experience in the management of interdisciplinary international project teams; participatory formulation and management of NR development projects with stakeholders; participatory development of on-farm crop management technologies; assessment of environmental impacts of development activities; institutional capacity building in developing countries; design, organization and delivery of practical training courses; evaluation of development projects and project cycle management. He has specific expertise in Integrated Pest Management for a wide range of crops. Recently he has collaborated with members of the Tropical Agriculture Association and the UK No-Till Alliance to prepare an Open Letter to the British Government recommending a greater focus of attention and resources on Zero-Tillage.

Marcus Robbins

CV

Paul Schoen

CV

Paul Schoen is an economist with over 20 years of international experience in development projects.  After undertaking three university degrees (Hull University, London School of Economics and Wye College, UK) he undertook various long and short term assignments in Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh, and other parts of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and CIS States. He is experienced in monitoring and evaluation (including mid-term, terminal and ex-post evaluations), economic and financial analysis, project identification, project-preparation, and appraisal and cost-benefit analysis. Evaluations have also utilized tools such as multiplier effects (employment generation and gross margin analysis across sectors analysed) and value chain analysis. He also conducts studies as well as business planning SME support.

Keith Shawe

CV

Keith is a biodiversity specialist with special interests in the conservation, sustainable harvesting and market assessment of medicinal plants and non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Specific skills include: integration of complex information on biodiversity into formats appropriate for local decision making (e.g. incorporation of biodiversity considerations into land-use planning, development of management plans); strengthening national and local capacity for biodiversity conservation through training of in-country government, NGO and research staff; survey design for botanical inventory and rapid biodiversity assessment; participatory assessment of conservation priorities; development of policy guidelines on biodiversity; teaching and research supervision at undergraduate and post-graduate levels.

David Silverside

CV
On-Line CV

David is a Senior Meat Technologist with over 30 years experience in the development of meat industries in less developed countries. He has experience of undertaking development projects while working alone or in multi-disciplinary teams on both long and short term assignments in UK and overseas. His key skills include: Feasibility studies, project identification, implementation, management and appraisal of the meat production industry in less developed countries; Advice on abattoir and other meat infrastructure design, rehabilitation and management, meat production and marketing, carcase classification and quality control; Training overseas personnel and drafting technical and consultative documents. He has experience in approx 50 countries in Africa, the Caribbean, the Indian subcontinent, the Far East and SE Asia.

Country Experience:
Antigua, Dominica, Bangladesh, Botswana,, British Virgin Islands, Burundi , Cameroon, Congo, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Ghana , Guyana, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Montserrat, Namibia, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Seychelles, St Helena, St Kitts and Nevis , St Vincent, Sudan, Tanzania, The Gambia, Trinidad and Tobago, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Martin Stewart

CV

Martin is a multi-skilled Senior Manager and Teamleader with an MBA and over 25 years experience of livelihoods, rural development, governance and forestry programmes which have been primarily funded by DFID and the EU in Africa and South Asia. With expertise in managing teams and programmes delivering institutional development, organisational change and capacity building, Martin also has proven skills in Monitoring & Evaluation, and training. Having worked in Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Nepal, Nigeria, and Pakistan as well as the UK. Programme Manager on the DFID-funded ‘State and Local Government Programme’ in Nigeria. Currently based in Nigeria.

Richard Tapper

CV

Richard Tapper is Director of the Environment Business & Development Group, a consultancy that works with clients to enhance tourism’s economic performance, social benefits and environmental protection, and to make tourism more sustainable. His work covers mass tourism, community- and nature-based tourism and management of tourism in protected areas and heritage sites. Richard has 16 years experience in sustainable tourism, and over 20 years experience working on national and international environmental issues. He is an experienced project manager and strong communicator, and his clients include UNEP, UNESCO, UN World Tourism Organisation, the Tour Operators’ Initiative for Sustainable Tourism Development (TOI), the UK and German governments, IUCN and WWF.

Colin Tingle

CV EU format CV
en Français

Colin has over 20 years experience in sustainability issues and environmental impact ecology related to development projects and programmes. From a background in biological control of insect pests, Colin has worked on biodiversity assessment (specialising in invertebrates), ecotoxicology, EIA, ecosystem services, ecological footprint analysis and ecological restoration. Increasingly, work has moved from applied research to policy advice with an emphasis on mainstreaming the environment into decision-making. He also has a strong interest in the human and social aspects of sustainable development. He has been a project manager and team leader; been involved in stakeholder consultation for development of policy guidelines on DDT use for tsetse fly control in Zimbabwe; provided policy advice to the Malagasy government, DFID and FAO on the environmental impact of locust control and worked on capacity building in ecotoxicology and ecological monitoring in a variety of countries. He has more recently been involved in policy advice on ecological and carbon footprinting at local government and regional government level in the UK. Colin also has teaching and training skills and experience. A native English speaker, with french to advanced level.

Country Experience:
Benin, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Senegal, Switzerland, Tanzania, UK, Zimbabwe.

Ian Watson

CV

Ian is a fisheries and aquaculture development specialist with over 20 years experience in the UK and overseas. For 4 years he was Field Manager of a major fisheries project in Romania advising government on the development of the fisheries sector and EU integration, including legislation, management and monitoring systems. He has worked in S Asia, SE Asia and Africa on projects relating to the development of both small-scale and commercial aquaculture. This included work the development of on-farm feed resources for use in integrated fish farming. In the UK he has worked on the Thames salmon rehabilitation scheme, included water quality monitoring and assessment and toxicology studies. In addition, he has supervised research on the environmental impact of the use of pesticides in riverine corridors. He has extensive experience of the ornamental fish trade.

Jim Williams

CV
On-Line CV

Jim Williams has over 35 years experience working with people and institutions in developing countries, seeking to improve decision-making through better understanding and use of environmental knowledge. He has worked with a diverse range of development sectors, often addressing complex boundary issues. With broad practical experience in development, Jim is equally at home on land - soil, plant water needs, agricultural management, vegetation status, fire, erosion, land use change - water - rainfall, evapo-transpiration, runoff and river flow, groundwater - and air -weather and climate, disaster early warning, remote sensing of environmental change. He has experience of working for many different clients and donors under a variety of situations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America; and run research programmes and learnt French and a little Arabic, en route. More recently, he has been engaged as consultant for a number of international organisations, mainly assisting with developing regional projects and programmes for funding agreement. An increasing number of these involve a) adaptation strategies in the context of climate change, and b) improved management and use of existing knowledge by organisations to maximise its impact in development.

Country Experience:
Algeria, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Côte d'Ivoire, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Nicaragua , Niger, Nigeria, Paraguay, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania , The Gambia, Tunisia, UK, USA, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yemen Arab Republic, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Sheila Willis

CV

Country Experience:
Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, UK.

Nick Willoughby

CV
EU format CV

Nick is a senior projects manager, focusing on integrated planning and sustainable development in aquatic environments. He has had over 35 years of experience in the planning, management and field operations of tropical and temperate aquatic projects worldwide for a wide variety of international donors. He has a comprehensive background in fisheries and aquatic project management, coastal zone management, i ntegrated wetlands management and planning, biodiversity conservation, social and environmental policy analysis, alternative income generation and training. He has extensive experience of leading and co-ordinating international and national teams of development professionals on large multi-lateral and bi-lateral development projects, and in producing major high quality reports on time. His professional work has occurred in three phases: initially (17 years) as an independent consultant, working primarily for ODA UK in overseas situations; then (11 years) as the Fisheries and Coastal Zones Projects Manager for the Natural Resources Institute UK; and latterly as an independent consultant again.

Country Experience:
Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Denmark, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, South Pacific, Tanzania, Thailand, Tobago, Uganda, Zambia.

Page last updated August 11, 2010