About Us

Established in 2012, Derek Finnie Associates provides practical and realistic ecological solutions for a wide range of development and business related needs. Centred in the planning arena, we are ideally suited to guide clients through the myriad of legal and policy requirements that are necessary at every stage of the planning process.

The company was founded by Derek Finnie, who has over 20 years’ experience as a consultant ecologist, both in the UK and Africa. His professional career commenced as an ecologist with Penny Anderson Associates and has subsequently worked for several large, multi-disciplinary consultancies, giving him the depth and breadth of experience required to succeed in today’s challenging development environment.

Derek is a specialist ornithologist, mammalogist and herpetologist, holding a range of protected species survey licences, but he also has skills and experience in many other areas of ecological assessment including botanical surveys. He has an extensive understanding of environmental legislation including Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment.

Derek Finnie Associates works with a network of experts from different disciplines who can be brought into the team to offer a client a tailored, more cost effective solution.