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Temple is excited to welcome two more highly experienced ecologists, Mike Hill and David Hope-Thomson, to its London team. These two appointments further strengthen Temple’s national biodiversity and nature expertise, aligned with Temple’s commitment to providing our clients and partners with sector-leading advice and support in this rapidly evolving market segment.
With years of combined experience, Mike and David bring their passion for and deep technical know-how of sustainable ecological practices to Temple. They enhance Temple’s breadth of experience in tackling complex environmental challenges across the water, energy, transport, and development sectors. Each has a unique background in ecology, natural environment management, and species protection.
Mike heads our Regional South-East and London Ecology Team. With over 26 years of experience in regulatory and consultancy roles, he is a seasoned aquatic ecologist and a Chartered Environmentalist (C.Env). His technical expertise spans fisheries science, aquatic ecology, aquatic habitat restoration, and water quality. Before joining Temple Mike he successfully led projects with high-profile clients including Heathrow Airport, HS2, Hynet, East-West Rail, Highways England, Environment Agency, Thames Water and numerous Local Authorities.
David joins Temple with 18 years of expertise in protected species surveying and assessment working on some of the largest developments in the UK and Europe. Of note, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (the largest example of habitat creation in Europe in 150 years (at that time)), Barking Riverside (UK’s largest ever Town and Country Planning application) and Cleve Hill Solar Park NSIP (at that time, the UK’s first & largest approved solar/BESS application). He holds Natural England survey licences for rare reptiles, great crested newts (Class 2), and the low-impact GCN class licence. Additionally, David is certified under the CL31 displacement licence for water voles, contributing nearly two decades of specialised experience with this species.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Mike and David to Temple, both are highly regarded technical experts, passionate advocates for the natural environment and leaders in their fields.
I look forward to working closely with them and our clients to deliver meaningful recovery and enhancement strategies for nature, in ways that help tackle climate change, and strengthen our resilience to the climate crisis. and boost social well-being whilst sustaining and driving economic growth and development.”– Mark Skelton CEO, Temple.