In January of this year, our new Cornwall team (formerly Plan For Ecology) joined the RSK Biocensus family. The team, led by Associate Director Kimberley Jelbert, have spent the last couple of months settling in, and now feels like the perfect time to introduce them.
Dr. Kimberley Jelbert
After founding Plan For Ecology in 2013, Kim joined RSK Biocensus as an Associate Director, having 20 years’ experience in ecological consultancy. She also has an Honours degree in Animal Science from the University of the West of England, as well as a Master’s degree in Biodiversity and Conservation and a Doctorate in Biological Sciences from the University of Exeter.
Kim has many testimonials for her client liaison, and is responsible for supervising the work of our ecologists and undertaking habitat and protected species surveys, assessments and licensing. Kim manages and advises on a range of projects including more complex projects such as those requiring an EIA, and specialises in Habitats Regulations Assessments & Appropriate Assessments, Ecological Impact Assessment, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessments and species licensing. Kim is a full member of CIEEM, holds a range of protected species licences including those for bats (CL18, CL21, CL47), dormouse (CL10a) and barn owl (CL29) and project specific licences including European Protected Species Licences. Kim has also led peer-reviewed and published research into the ecology of invasive plant species.
Kim is a professional multi-tasker and can usually be found perfecting our procedures and reporting, on long walks and adventures with her family and dog (Ted Bear) or trying to learn something new.
Nicola Dyer
Nicola, Principal Ecological Consultant, has thirty years of experience in ecological consultancy and has been a full member of CIEEM since 1994. She has an Honours degree in Environmental Science from the University of Southampton and a Master’s degree in Environmental Impact Assessment from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
Nicola has previously worked for Westcountry Rivers Ltd, Cornwall Environmental Consultants Ltd, Bioscan UK, Natural England and Wildlife Trusts. Nicola has considerable experience managing large-scale, complex development schemes, including infrastructure, housing and utilities projects. Her particular interests and expertise are botanical surveys, habitat management and restoration, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and Ecological Impact Assessment. Nicola holds a Level 1 bat licence (CL17) and a CL51 beaver licence, is a MoRPh survey accredited River Condition Assessment surveyor and is also competent in badger and reptile surveys.
Nicola has three grown up children and spends most of her spare time outdoors hiking, sea swimming, running and kayaking. She also sings in local choirs and enjoys anything from classical choral music to sea shanties!
Dr. Lucy Wright
Lucy, Senior Ecological Consultant, has an Honours degree in Zoology from the University of Leeds, as well as a Master’s degree in Biodiversity and Conservation and a Doctorate in Biological Sciences from the University of Exeter, during which she studied the mating system of green turtles. Lucy has published research in academic journals and has twelve years of experience working in ecology, conservation and research administration, including on projects in the UK and overseas.
Lucy has previously worked for Natural England, the Bat Conservation Trust, the Zoological Society of London and the University of Exeter. Lucy is primarily responsible for protected species mitigation advice and licensing, project management, and preparation of reports and management plans, but tries to get out in the field from time to time. Lucy is a full member of CIEEM and holds a Natural England level 2 (CL18) bat licence. Lucy is also a Building with Nature (BwN) Approved Assessor.
Lucy can usually be found sea swimming, camping with her daughter and unruly English Bull Terrier, or planning her next escape to the tropics.
Naomi Scala
Naomi, Senior Ecological Consultant, has ten years’ experience as a consultant ecologist, and has an Honours degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Biodiversity and Conservation from the University of Exeter.
She specialises in UK Habitat Classification and Protected Species surveys, BNG Assessments, Ecological Appraisals and Preliminary Roost Assessments. Naomi holds licences for dormouse and barn owl and has recently gained her Level 2 Bat Licence. She is an Associate member of CIEEM and an Accredited River Condition Assessment Assessor.
Naomi can usually be found travelling around the country to competitively compete in events with her horse Rory and with her son Fin as mascot.
Chloe Balmer
Chloe, Ecological Consultant, graduated from the University of Exeter with an Integrated Masters with honours degree in Conservation Biology and Ecology and is an Associate member of CIEEM. Chloe has over eight years’ experience as a consultant ecologist and enjoys being in the field surveying Cornwall’s offering of protected species; bats, barn owls, reptiles, invasive plants, badgers, dormouse, water vole and otters while project managing and liaising with clients.
Chloe undertakes UK Habitat Classification surveys, Ecological Appraisals and Impact Assessments, condition assessments and preliminary roost assessments. Chloe holds a CSCS card and is often on-site as an ecological clerk of works (ECoW). Chloe also holds Natural England Class Licences for bats (level 2 CL18), barn owl (CL29) and dormouse (CL10a).
Chloe can usually be found outside whether its training for her next ultra marathon, out at sea on the paddleboard or enjoying a pint with a sunset.
Caroline Davey
Caroline, Ecological Consultant, graduated with an Honours degree in Zoology from the University of Liverpool and a Master’s degree in Environmental Analysis and Assessment from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. Caroline has been working in ecology for 25 years, and as a consultant ecologist for more than 13 years. Caroline holds a level 2 bat licence (CL18) and is an Associate member of CIEEM.
Caroline has held project specific badger mitigation licences and regularly undertakes UK Habitat Classification surveys, Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), protected species surveys, Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, preliminary roost assessments and oversees multiple projects and ecological surveys. Caroline is an excellent botanist who also leads botanical survey and foraging training courses rated amongst the top ten best foraging courses in the UK by Countryfile Magazine.
Caroline can typically be found immersed in an outdoor pursuit chosen by one of her three children or on long walks with her dog.
Holly Thomas
As an Assistant Ecological Consultant, Holly completed her foundation degree in Conservation and Ecology in 2023 and has been a part of the Cornwall team ever since.
Holly previously worked as a veterinary receptionist in a busy veterinary practice, before moving on to a career in the NHS, where she worked for a short time before deciding to follow her interest in Ecology and go to back to full time education.
Holly assists with reptile, dormouse, bat surveys and bat sound analysis. She is happiest being in the field looking for slow worms, and in her spare time she enjoys riding her sister’s horses and walking her dog along the beautiful Cornish beaches.
Thomas Dyer
Being the latest addition, and the first since joining the RSK Biocensus family, Tom joined the Cornwall team in March 2026 as an Assistant Ecological Consultant.
Tom has a season’s experience conducting bat, dormouse and reptile surveys and is particularly interested in bat call analysis and classification. He also has a background in data analysis, management and programming through his master’s degree and is keen to learn more about this alongside ecology.
In his spare time, he likes to climb, surf, play guitar and piano, and stay healthy by going to the gym.
The Cornwall team are already settling in really well within RSK Biocensus and we could not be happier to have them on board.