About Us

Laura Carter-Davis is the Managing Director of Echoes Ecology and has worked with the company since 2007.  She holds a NatureScot licence for bats, badgers and otters, as well as being a Level One Registered Badger Worker (Scottish Badgers).  In addition, Laura is a qualified tree climber (NPTC) and Lantra-certified Conservation Detection Dog Handler.  Her other core strengths relate to otter, water vole and pine marten surveying.  Her duties and skills involve the management of customer deliverables and team resources, as well as the project management of more complex casework, including the production of Ecological Scoping Reports and Ecology Chapters for Environmental Statements.  Laura has substantial experience with applying for protected species licences and developing associated mitigation and compensation strategies (e.g. bats, badger and otter).

In her spare time Laura regularly takes part in canicross with her labradors (the muddier the trails, the better, according to Poppy and Bree).  Laura indulges her creative side with the art of taxidermy.

Heather Simpson joined Echoes Ecology in 2013 and now acts as Principal Ecologist. To date she has been involved with a wide selection of consultancy cases relating to commercial development, as well as being experienced with the Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) role, as well as also being a qualified tree climber (NPTC). Heather is an experienced Phase 1, NVC, invasive species, mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian ecologist, and she holds a NatureScot Great Crested Newt licence, a Schedule 1 bird licence and is an accredited agent on an otter licence.  In addition she holds Natural England licences for Great Crested Newt and White-Clawed Crayfish.  Her roles within Echoes Ecology include case management, field surveying and report writing and staff development and mentoring.

Heather is a keen hill runner and spends most weekends attempting to run (let’s be honest, walk quickly) up hills whilst wishing her cocker spaniel Meg didn’t make it look so easy.

Simon joined the Echoes Ecology team in 2021 as an Ecologist. Prior to joining Echoes Simon spent 10 years working as a Countryside Ranger and was heavily involved in habitat management and creation work for great crested newts. He holds a NatureScot Great Crested Newt licence and is working towards gaining his bat licence. He worked seasonally at Echoes as an Assistant Ecologist between 2019 and 2021 alongside his role as a Ranger.

Simon likes to be outside as much as possible and enjoys cycling, running and practicing bushcraft.

Sam joined the Echoes Ecology team in 2021. Born and raised in Alberta, Canada, Sam completed a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at Royal Roads University before becoming involved in reclamation work for oil and gas abandonment. Prior to joining Echoes, Sam was able to kickstart his ecology skills at another company, being involved in a variety of survey activities for bats, badger, otter, water vole, and great crested newt as well as Ecological Clerk of Work duties.

Growing up in the Rocky Mountains has made Sam a keen outdoor enthusiast; in his spare time, you may find him backpacking, camping or fishing!

Heather Campbell joined the Echoes Ecology team in 2018. Prior to working for Echoes she worked as an Ecologist and was involved with projects relating to construction and infrastructure, as well as acting as an Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW).  She holds a NatureScot roost visitor and harp trapping licence for bats, as well as being a qualified tree climber (NPTC).  Her other core strengths relate to BatSound and Analook bat echolocation analysis and badger surveying. Heather is also involved in carrying out desk studies, surveying and report writing.

In her spare time, Heather regularly explores the wilderness of Scotland. She also enjoys running with her hood up listening to the Rocky theme.

Rosanna joined the Echoes Ecology team in 2018 as a Graduate Ecologist after graduating from the University of Glasgow with an MSc in Quantitative Methods in Biodiversity, Conservation and Epidemiology.  Prior to working for Echoes she worked for an NGO in Madagascar as an Assistant Research Officer.  Rosanna has also worked on a voluntary basis for Scottish Badgers and Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels.

To date, within Echoes, she has assisted with a wide range of protected species surveys for bats, badger, otter, water vole and red squirrel.  Rosanna is also involved in carrying out desk studies and report writing, as well as administrative tasks.  Her other strengths include BatSound and Analook bat echolocation analysis.  She’s a qualified tree climber and holds a NatureScot  bat licence.

Outside of work, Rosanna can be found sailing on the west coast or knitting something to keep herself warm (yes that jumper she is wearing wasn’t knitted by a wee Granny).

Lauren joined the Echoes Ecology team full-time in 2021 as an Assistant Ecologist, having worked with Echoes as Seasonal Assistant Ecologist for three years before that whilst completing her Honours degree at Edinburgh University in Environmental Resource Management.  Prior to joining Echoes, Lauren worked in various animal-related roles including as an Education Officer with the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA).  One of the highlights of this role was being seconded to the Special Investigations Unit where she assisted in the investigation of wildlife crime.  During University to help improve her ecology skills she volunteered with West Lothian Rangers and grew a keen interest in badger ecology.  Laurens’s dissertation topic centred on beavers and the socio-economic benefits they have brought since their reintroduction into Scotland.

Lauren is a keen Munro bagger and loves to be out and about with her Labrador Oscar.  She also enjoys dancing in the mud at music festivals with her friends.

Neil Middleton originally founded the business in 2006, and although not involved with the day to day running of the business, he is still very much a part of the Echoes Ecology team, providing valuable support as and when circumstances require.

When not working, Neil is a keen runner, plays guitar and has been known to have the occasional pale ale (but more than two is dangerous!) or glass of red wine (especially a French Syrah).

In addition to our full time team, we have a very strong and adaptive team of trained and qualified part-time seasonal employees. This team typically doubles our field survey strength during the period April to October annually, and provides us with a wide range of additional skills to our business ranging from field surveyors (including bat call analysis and the organisation of our automated bat detector systems), through to the provision of support functions (e.g. health and safety cover on remote sites).

Click Here to visit Achilles website for more details.

Click Here to visit CIEEM website for more details.

Click Here to visit the Bat Conservancy Trust website for more details.

Click Here to visit the RBS Mentor website for more details.