Our Story

Where we started

The consultancy began in the 1990’s as a service offered by Kent Trust for Nature Conservation, Kent Wildlife Trust’s former iteration. It was led by Anne Waite who, along with a team of freelance ecological consultants, offered professional ecological services for a range of clients looking to do their bit for nature. The consultancy asserted its place at the forefront of ecological expertise in Kent when, in 1999, Anne put together the Kent Red Data Book, a provisional guide to the rare and threatened flora and fauna of Kent, an extensively researched piece with collaborative input from local nature historians. As Practice Manager, Anne continues to drive the consultancy’s important work and high integrity values to this day.

The next two decades

Over the next two decades the consultancy expanded its team of ecological consultants, starting with our fantastic Land Management Advisor Neil Coombs in the early 2000's, who has since worked extensively with land managers across the county to help deliver numerous wildlife gains across Kent’s celebrated farmed landscape. The full team now comprises a diverse skillset field ecologists, digital ecologists, nature-based solutions specialists, ornithologists, botanists, and marine biologists.

Launching the Consultancy

Managing Director Vincent Ganley came on board, who facilitated the 2019 launch of Kent Wildlife Trust Consultancy Services as a separate company, with its profits channelled to the Trust’s conservation work. Vinny’s energy, vision, and boundary-pushing approach has driven many new achievements, with the consultancy going from strength to strength.

Rebranding to ABEC

In July 2023, we rebranded from Kent Wildlife Trust Consultancy Services to Adonis Blue Environmental Consultants (ABEC) with an updated portfolio of products and services.

While our team and connection to the Trust remain the same, this new look will better reflect the work we are doing to protect nature, wildlife and wild spaces, now and in the future.

We aim to bring Kent Wildlife Trust's vision to projects and strategies which have a national impact. Therefore, we now feel it is time to remove the “Kent” from our name - while keeping the Trust’s mascot, the Adonis Blue butterfly, at the heart of our brand.

Don’t worry, we’re still very much a part of the Kent Wildlife Trust Group. We will continue to deliver ongoing action and innovation for nature as part of the Wilder Kent 2030 strategy and will donate all our profits to the Trust’s conservation work in Kent.   

Where are we now

Clients have spanned multiple sectors and include local authorities, government departments, utility companies, transport infrastructure, urban developers, landowners, and, of course, Kent Wildlife Trust itself.  The team is continually expanding, currently comprising around 20 staff based across the country.

For more information on our current services offerings, please explore the "What We Do" section of our website, and don't hesitate to get in touch to discuss how we can help you do your bit to support nature's recovery.