APEM Group expands terrestrial ecology capabilities with sixth acquisition
PRESS RELEASE
- Acquisition of Aspect Ecology is the third acquisition in last 4 months and helps accelerate an ambitious growth strategy for the Group
- Significantly expands one of the leading Terrestrial ecology teams in the market, building on existing capabilities
- Deepens access to commercial development infrastructure sector, with particular focus on Biodiversity Net Gain services
APEM Group today announced their sixth acquisition since 2021 as Aspect Ecology, a leading ecological planning consultancy based in Banbury, Oxfordshire joined the Group.
Aspect are renowned for their services to support planning applications and development in terrestrial environments. They partner with clients in the infrastructure sector, supporting their requirements across large, complex commercial development projects. The acquisition supports APEM Group’s growth strategy to add complementary capabilities to our clients and continues the Group’s investment in this area.
“I am delighted to welcome Aspect Ecology to the APEM Group. Aspect Ecology bring a deep expertise in terrestrial ecology to the Group, building on our existing market-leading capabilities and significantly increasing our strength and depth. This acquisition provides substantial opportunities to continue our expansion into the infrastructure and built environment market alongside further growth in the renewables and water sectors.
As the need for clean infrastructure increases, Aspect’s knowledge of, and work with clients in, assessing the biodiversity of developers’ plans and how to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain solutions, will be of real value to APEM’s own clients.”
-Leah McGimpsey, APEM Group CEO
Joining the APEM Group gives Aspect Ecology access to a diverse range of clients across the Renewables, Water and Infrastructure sectors, where the need for environmental services continues to grow at pace.
“I am pleased to welcome Alistair and the team at Aspect Ecology to the APEM Group. Providing solutions through innovative design and imaginative thinking, Aspect Ecology have a reputation for and a dedication to, delivering quality across all the stages of a client’s project lifecycle.
Balancing commercial outcomes with the impact on the natural environment is a key challenge for our clients, especially with the need to demonstrate biodiversity sustainability in the planning process. Aspect’s expertise in this area for residential and commercial developers and land owners, combined with our existing terrestrial teams working across the water and renewables sectors, provides our clients with an unrivalled advantage in delivering their projects.
I’m also excited about the opportunities for shared learning across our combined terrestrial team and bringing best practice to our clients.”
-Darroch Baker, Managing Director, Freshwater and Terrestrial
“We are delighted to be joining APEM Group which provides great opportunities for the Aspect Ecology team and allows us to take forward our current operations with the added support of the Group infrastructure. APEM’s culture of high quality work mirrors that of Aspect Ecology’s so that our approaches are fully aligned.
Joining forces with APEM will enable us to access new markets and offer additional services to our clients as well as more rapidly develop our technological capabilities aided by APEM’s market leading position in this area”
-Alistair Baxter, co-founder and Senior Director, Aspect Ecology
Since 2021, the APEM Group have completed six acquisitions, supported by private equity firm WestBridge, cementing their strategy of growth and international expansion.
“APEM Group continues to go from strength to strength both domestically and internationally. This new acquisition of Aspect Ecology builds on existing capabilities in terrestrial ecology, broadens the service offering and further enhances APEM’s reputation in the environmental consulting marketplace.
The APEM Group Leadership Team continue to add culturally aligned businesses to the group via their strategic acquisition strategy, while delivering value adding services to their clients.”
-Pete Barkley, Partner at Westbridge
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Ruth.Shearn@thisisRMS.co.uk
07881 772960
About the APEM Group:
With employees in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Germany and the USA, the APEM Group provide independent environmental consultancy and expert advice to a wide range of industries including water, renewables, power and utilities, marine and ports, transport, construction and development.
The company provides digital aerial wildlife surveys, specialist marine, freshwater, terrestrial ecology and geospatial services to organisations across the world.
In July 2021, APEM acquired Sligo-based Woodrow, an environmental and sustainability consultancy, followed in February 2022 by the acquisition of AQUAFACT, a specialist in marine surveys, based in Galway, Ireland. In May 2022, APEM acquired GoBe Consultants, a planning and environmental services consultancy based in Devon and Glasgow, followed by the acquisition in June 2023 of Macro Works, a Dublin based provider of landscape and visual consultancy services, and NASH Maritime, a leading shipping, navigation and maritime risk consultancy based in Southampton, in July 2023.
About Aspect Ecology:
Aspect Ecology are renowned for their services to support planning applications and development in terrestrial environments. They partner with clients in the infrastructure sector, supporting their requirements across large, complex commercial development projects.
Aspect Ecology offer a complete service for projects from pre-purchase due diligence to surveys and assessment to inform planning or EIA including Biodiversity Net Gain, Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs) and presenting expert evidence at appeals. Post planning they address conditions and implement ecological mitigation schemes including through protected species licensing and monitoring.