John Wenman BSc (Hons), Msc MCIEEM

Partner



BSc (Hons) Zoology - Bristol University

MSc Conservation - University College London

Registered under Natural England Bat Survey Class Licence CL018 (Level 2 - handling and disturbance)

Registered under Natural England Great Crested Newt Survey Class Licence CL08 (Level 1)

Registered consultant under Natural England Bat Mitigation Class Licence CL21

John established John Wenman Ecological Consultancy in 2006 and has worked as a professional ecologist for 24 years, with experience in both the private and public sectors. His previous employment includes:

• Wildlife Information Officer with the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (voluntary) 
• Consultant ecologist with Catherine Bickmore Associates
• Ecologist for Bracknell Forest Borough Council, advising on planning applications and working on the Borough's Biodiversity Action Plan.

John specialises in bat work, is a member of the Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire Bat Group and has been an English Nature/Natural England licence holder since 2000. John has been a voluntary roost visit trainer for the Group since 2011.

During both voluntary and consultancy work, he has surveyed and assessed a wide range of bat roosts and has undertaken many bat activity surveys using bat detectors. As a consultant John has acted as the named ecologist on over 70 European Protected Species Licence applications for a range of development projects affecting bats including species such as brown long eared bat, common and soprano pipistrelle, lesser horseshoe, whiskered bat, Brandt's bat and serotine. 

John became a Registered Consultant, under Natural England's Low Impact Class Licence for bats in 2015. John's registration will enable him to carry out work affecting small numbers of commonly occurring bat species on sites registered with Natural England.

Research work has formed a significant component of John's work. He
has been involved in long term projects to develop a standard hedgerow survey
method for the Steering Group for the Ancient and/or Species Rich Hedgerow Habitat
Action Plan and monitor the success of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme
delivery of new hedgerows for DEFRA's Rural Development Service.

Sarah Foot BSc (Hons) MCIEEM

Principal Ecologist

BSC (Hons) Zoology - Southampton University

Registered under Natural England Bat Survey Class Licence CL018 (Level 2 - handling and disturbance)

Registered under Natural England Barn Owl Survey Class Licence CL29

Registered under Great Crested Newt Survey Class Licence CL08 (Level 1) 

Registered consultant under Bat Mitigation Class Licence CL21

Prior to joining John Wenman Ecological Consultancy in 2009, Sarah worked for ecological consultancies in the UK gaining extensive reptile and great crested newt survey and handling experience. Sarah is proficient in ecological and protected species survey techniques such as bat, barn owl, reptile, great crested newt, water vole, otter, badger and Phase 1 habitat surveys. 

Sarah spends much of her spare time volunteering for local wildlife groups including the Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire Bat Group, the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, Wild Marlow, the Bisham Barn Owl Group and Bracknell Barn Owl Group. She has a permit to ring bird pulli in nestboxes and is training for a full bird ringing permit.

Vicky Potts BSc (Hons), Msc MCIEEM

Senior Ecologist

BSc (Hons)  Zoology - Swansea University

MSc Wildlife Management - Reading University

Registered under Natural England Bat Survey Class Licence CL18 (Level 2 - handling and disturbance)

Registered under Natural England Great Crested Newt Survey Class Licence CL08 (Level 1)

Since finishing her studies she has worked for several companies gaining experience in the environmental field including:

• Research Assistant on the Farne Islands studying the foraging and breeding behaviour of terns and puffins
• Countryside Assistant for South Oxfordshire District Council
• Earthwatch, co-ordinating a network of conservation partnerships and one-day volunteering events with the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

Outside of work, Vicky has volunteered for many years with nukmerous groups including the Berkshire Reptile & amphibian Group, Wild Marlow and Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, where she participated in a mixture of reptile, bat and dragonfly surveys. 

Megan Porter BSc (Hons)

Qualifying Member of CIEEM

Ecologist

BSc (Hons) Zoology - University of Exeter

Registered under: Natural England Bat Class Licence CL17 (Level 1) 

After her degree, Meghan worked for the National Trust in Cornwall, where she was involved in monitoring projects for protected nesting bird species and marine mammals, including the local grey seal population.

Meghan has worked for John Wenman Ecological Consultancy since Spring 2020, first as a seasonal ecologist to aid with summer bat surveys and then in a full time position. She gained her Level 1 bat survey class licence in 2023. During her time with the company, Meghan has carried out a variety of surveys for reptiles, amphibians, badgers and bats, and has become competent at conducting Phase 1 habitat surveys and mapping using the QGIS software.

Jake Morgan BSc (Hons)

Qualifying Member of CIEEM

Ecologist

BSc (Hons) Ecology & Wildlife Conservation - Bournemouth University

Registered under: Natural England Bat Class Licence CL17 (Level 1) 

Both during and after my studies I have gained experience in a variety of fields within ecology through volunteering, work experience and employment with a keen interest in behavioural ecology and GIS. Previous roles include:

• Geographic Information Systems Technician -  Oxfordshire County Council
• Seasonal Field Ecologist - John Wenman Ecological Consultancy

I have regularly partaken in research projects held by Bournemouth University including the use of artificial 3D reefs in Poole harbour, and volunteered at Brownsea Island, Upton Country Park and for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. 

Verity West 

Qualifying Member of CIEEM

Ecologist & Admin Assistant

A life-long love of nature and nine years spent in an incredibly varied role at the local Wildlife Trust, provided a solid foundation and passion for British wildlife and conservation. Supporting many different departments within the Trust provided the experience to built a basic skill set and understanding of a variety of fields, including ecology, land management, education, health & safety and public engagement. Previous roles include:

• Facilities Manager - Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust
• Seasonal Field Ecologist - John Wenman Ecological Consultancy
• Founder & Chair - Wild Marlow

Regular volunteering for a small local wildlife charities and groups, provides a range of opportunities including species specific surveys, monitoring and events (e.g. bats, orchids, water voles, barn owls, peregrine flacons) to work with experts gaining experience and understanding. While involvement in the Little Marlow Lakes Country Park Community Partnership provides valuable land owner and local authority liaison experience. 

Lauren Hayward, MSc (Hons)

Assitant Ecologist

BSC (Hons) - Zoology - University of Exeter

My passion for nature and conservation led me to a degree in Zoology where I expanded my knowledge of ecology and animal physiology. I also gained experience of carrying out research projects including  investigating the effects of anthropogenic sound on parental care behaviours in British blue tits. During and after my degree, I have volunteered for organisations such as the RSPB, and local wildlife charity, NEWTS, which has allowed me to further my practical skills by taking part in bird and mammal population monitoring surveys.

I joined John Wenman Ecological Consultancy in Spring 2025 as a seasonal field ecologist to aid with summer bat, reptile and habitat surveys. In a full time position, I continue to carry out a variety of surveys, becoming competent with report writing and habitat mapping using QGIS software.

Hannah McEwen, BSc (Hons)

Assistant Ecologist 

BSc (Hons) – Business Management with Tourism - University of Surrey

I  joined John Wenman Ecological Consultancy in Spring 2025. Originally coming from a  10 year career in finance and project operations, I wanted to have a career change and follow a path which I could incorporate my skills previously obtained as well as being able to grow in a field I am passionate about.

Outside of work I am the volunteer Treasurer for South Bucks Guide Dogs as well as being a member of the Berkshire & South Bucks Bat Group. I have a strong love of marine life and I am currently studying to become a volunteer Marine Mammal Surveyor.