1. Daniel Sebastian Simmons
Director and Principal Ecologist
Website: www.simlawecology.uk
Email: daniel@simlawecology.uk
Mobile: 07826 856 356
Address: 7 Sondes Place Drive, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 3ED
Summary I
I have worked professionally in the conservation, research and consultancy sectors since 2007.
After five years working with a leading, London consultancy I founded Simlaw Ecology in 2015. I
have an intricate understanding UK legislation and planning policy relating to a number of
protected species but specialise in bats, having a sound working knowledge of bat surveys and
mitigation across the development sector, from domestic developments to large-scale EPSM
licenses. I take a pragmatic approach to my work and regard clear communication and lateral
thinking as key skills for delivering projects in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Through Simlaw Ecology I use an in depth knowledge of planning and applied ecology, and an
aptitude for project management and customer service to deliver a rapid, high-quality, consultancy
service to domestic and commercial clients.
Licenses and Memberships I
• Bat Licence – Class 2 (2015-15026-CLS-CLS)
• Climb Trees and Perform Aerial Rescue (NPTC CS:38)
• CIEEM – Full Member
• Bat Conservation Trust – Member
• British Ecological Society – Member
• Field Identification Skills Certificate (Level 2)
• Surrey and London Bat Groups – Member
• Surrey Botanical Society - Member
• CSCS Operative
Key Skills I
Daniel’s experience in ecology has developed through both his career as an ecological consultant
and his personal interests as a keen naturalist. He has also held a number of professional
appointments emphasising commercial attributes that are critical to developing and maintaining
business relationships. His key skills comprise:
• In-depth knowledge of Protected Species legislation and its application;
• A wealth of experience with surveys, mitigation and licensing relating to bats, including
climbed inspection of trees;
• Over six years experience co-ordinating and carrying out protected species surveys for:
dormouse, great-crested newt, water vole, common reptiles, badger and breeding birds;
• Extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys;
• Ecological Impact Assessment;
• BREEAM assessments;
• Tendering and scoping;
• Excellent written and verbal communication;
• Production of technical reports including EPSM licence applications;
• Co-ordination and management of an ecologist team;
• Web design and social media marketing; and,
• Business development.

2. Key Project Experience I
HS2 Major Infrastructure Project Sub-contracted Lead Surveyor Apr 2015 – Dec 2015
Coordinating a team of ecologists to deliver ecology surveys for HS2. Surveys carried out
comprised scoping, reptile, badger, water vole and bats; including building inspections, climbed
tree inspections, and dusk and dawn surveys. Responsible for management and submission of high
volumes of data. Surveys were carried out and full data sets were submitted for over 70 land
parcels over the duration of the contract.
Campus Redevelopment EPSM Bat Licence and Mitigation Apr 2013 – Feb 2015
Lead on writing and implementing the EPSM licence for the Runnymede Campus redevelopment,
Surrey. Liaising with the design team and contractors to make detailed amendments to the licence
over time. Redesigning mitigation and enhancement measures to account for change in timeframe
and to ensure safeguards for resident maternity colonies for three bat species. Coordinating team of
ecologists in updating the full suite of surveys for the site, and responding to new findings.
Longfield Road, Dorking Bat Licence and Mitigation Apr 2015 – Feb 2016
Designing and implementing full suite of bat surveys at residential building. Writing supporting
documents and designing mitigation and enhancement measures for a European Protected Species
Mitigation bat licence. Carrying out mitigation and supervising enhancement under licence.
Higher Education I
2003 - 2007 BSc Biodiversity Conservation and Management (II.I)
Dissertation Title: “Population dynamics between three species of caiman
crocodile in the Lago Preto Conservation Concession, Peruvian Amazon”.
University of Kent at Canterbury
Employment History I
12/14 – Present Simlaw Ecology – Director and Principal Ecologist
- Business finance, administration and development;
- Delivery of key services;
- Project management;
- Web management and social media marketing;
- Recruitment; and,
- Training.
03/10 – 02/15 The Ecology Consultancy: Ecologist
- Delivery of bat and other protected species surveys
- Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (Phase 1 habitat surveys)
- Ecology input for BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes assessments
- Management of ecologist teams and training of seasonal and junior staff
- Production of fee proposals, tenders,
- Production of technical reports, including EPSM licenses
05/09 – 02/10 Zoological Society London, Institute of Zoology: Research Assistant
- Sourcing, compiling and processing bat sound recordings to fill the global
bat echolocation call database (EchoBank)
- Processing, validating and analysing bat calls using acoustic software
(Avisoft, Raven & BatSound)
Recent Formal CPD I
• 11/2015 Identification of Bat Roosts in trees. The ‘BTHK’ course (AEcol, Bridwater)
• 04/2015 How to Lead a Guided Walk (Surrey Wildlife Trust)
• 03/2015 Great crested Newt Surveys and Licensing (Surrey Wildlife Trust)
• 03/2015 Identification of Trees in Winter (Surrey Wildlife Trust)
• 09/2013 Field Identification Skills Certificate (Botanical Society of British Isles)
• 05/2013 Identifying Invasive Species (Field Studies Council)
• 08/2012 Urban Botany (Field Studies Council)
• 06/2011 Bat Handling and Identification (Bat Conservation Trust)