London, 15th June
Global Ecology and Environmental Group (GEE) has announced today the acquisition of Nicholas Pearson Associates, the Bath-based consultancy with a 40-year track record in providing environmental consultancy, landscape architecture, ecology, and visualisation services.
Nicholas Pearson Associates is a Landscape Institute Registered Practice, a member of the Urban Design Group, an ISEP Corporate Partner, and a registered practice of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).
What’s more, through the successful promotion of their client’s project aspirations, some of the business’ clients have been working with them for decades.
Founded by Chairman Nicholas Pearson in 1982, a commitment to the environment and the belief that deep specialist knowledge can contribute to both nature and society, coupled with a strong client service ethos, has always been at the foundation of the business’ approach.
As part of this transition, Nicholas Pearson will retire from the business, leaving a strong legacy and a well-established leadership team in place to take the practice forward.
The company delivers lasting impact as a result, with multiple planning and development project successes across residential, energy, infrastructure, education, historic environment, commercial, leisure, and recreation sectors.
Testament to the business’ specialist knowledge and wide-reaching impact are some of their most recently delivered projects:
- Verified visualisations and Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment (TVIA) for Bath Rugby’s new stadium
- Landscape architecture, visualisation, ecology, and BNG services for a new 281 home neighbourhood at Roundwood in Stevenage
- Ecology, BNG, and landscape design for National Trust’s Saltram East – a new 32-hectare Country Park in Plymouth, with 2.5km of walking and cycling trails, and a BNG habitat bank which is currently under construction
Nicholas Pearson Associates’ verified visualisation of Bath Rugby’s new stadium, beside the River Avon
Today, the day-to-day operations of the businesses are led by Managing Director, Simon Kale, and Director, Jamie Farnell, both of whom will continue to lead the business while playing an integral role in the strategic growth of the Group.
Since its inception in 2025, GEE has been working quickly and strategically to unite specialist consultancies to build a market-leader in ecological and environmental consultancy. Throughout its accelerated growth to date, the Group has remained focused on welcoming specialist consultancies like Nicholas Pearson Associates and bringing them into one connected and collaborative network of leaders in a variety of technical fields.
Nicholas Pearson Associates Managing Director, Simon Kale said:
“Joining Ecology Group marks an exciting new chapter for our team. We’ve spent over 40 years building an impressive reputation through delivering schemes in sensitive environmental and planning contexts, nationally recognised landmark projects and ecologically conscious green infrastructure. What drew us to the Group was the opportunity to do more of what we do best, but with greater reach and resource behind us.”
In the Spring of 2025, the Group acquired its first business, MKA Ecology – a firm with a 30-year track record in delivering specialist ecological services to clients across local authorities, commercial, and higher education. Since then, the Group has welcomed Burton Reid Associates, Earth Active, Johns Associates, Living Earth, Mine Environment Management, and Wildwood Ecology to its growing business, and now with the addition of Nicholas Pearson Associates, the Group boasts a team of nearly 200 environmental professionals.
Ecology Group invests in the organic growth of each consultancy they bring into the business, providing the resources and support the wider Group, while valuing and preserving their unique specialisms and services. With this model, the Group works with each business to enhance their operations, expand their service capabilities, and extend their positive impact.
Ecology Group Chief Financial Officer, Chris Heyes said:
“This acquisition is a strong signal of where the Group is heading. Nicholas Pearson Associates’ breadth of services, the culture they have built over the last 40 years, and their specialist team – complement our existing businesses perfectly, and we’re looking forward to what we’ll be able to achieve together.”
Ecology Group is growing rapidly and intentionally, by welcoming businesses with complementary services, cultures, and expertise. After an impressive first year of operation that saw five businesses join the Group, 2026 is set to be another year of huge growth.
Notes to editors
About Ecology Group
At Ecology Group, we know that ecological and environmental protection is a business imperative, with 55% of global GDP dependant on nature.
This is why we’re combining best in class consultancies to build a market leader in ecological and environmental consultancy. We are committed to placing biodiversity renewal at the heart of our business. Our purpose-led approach ensures that every project we undertake contributes positively to the environment and helps foster sustainable ecosystems. This purpose-led commitment translates into high-value, sustainable strategies that benefit both our clients and the planet.
About Nicholas Pearson Associates
We are an independently minded, award-winning, multidisciplinary consultancy with complementary expertise in environmental design, landscape architecture, ecology and visualisation.
We deliver environmentally responsible projects through all stages of the planning, design, construction and management process and thrive on collaboration with likeminded people.
Our reputation for quality of service and success in promoting our client’s aspirations is founded on our experience, attention to detail and our established track record.