As someone who has spent years recruiting Ecologists across the UK and Ireland, this is a question I find myself reflecting on during early walks through the Surrey Downs with my cocker spaniel, Monty.

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As) are nothing new. Some make headlines, while others quietly reshape the industry behind the scenes. In theory, they bring efficiency, growth and opportunity. But are they having a negative impact on the ecology sector, and more importantly, on ecologists themselves?

I’m Justin, Co-Director of Embankment Group, an ecology recruitment agency specialising in permanent ecology roles and freelance ecologists. Over the past five years, we’ve worked closely with consultancies, conservation charities and developers across the UK. Earlier this year, we launched our freelance ecology division, led by Nathan, which has quickly become a trusted partner for many businesses seeking short term ecological expertise.

During this period, we’ve seen at least fifteen major mergers and acquisitions within the ecology sector. Often, we hear about them first from concerned employees seeking career advice or testing the job market before any formal announcements are made. Interestingly, our recruitment experience suggests that while uncertainty does arise, many businesses take real care to retain staff and improve working conditions after acquisition.

From a broader industry perspective, consolidation can have mixed outcomes. Fewer independent ecological consultancies mean fewer employment options for ecologists, and less competition across the market. This can stifle innovation in ecological consulting and reduce diversity in project approaches.

Small consultancies often possess strong local knowledge and long standing relationships with wildlife trusts, planning authorities and conservation charities. When these businesses merge or are acquired, that specialist insight can be lost along with the personal touch that smaller firms bring to ecological work.

Of course, M&As also offer advantages. They enable businesses to expand rapidly, access new markets, and attract top ecological talent without incurring significant recruitment costs. From an employee perspective, many ecologists tell us they have gained better job security, clearer career progression, and access to senior mentors after their company joined a larger group.

So, are mergers and acquisitions truly harming the ecology sector? The answer is not straightforward. Where cost cutting and consolidation dominate, negative effects are inevitable. But for many ecology professionals, these structural changes are creating new opportunities and broader exposure to complex environmental projects.

As an ecology recruitment specialist, Embankment Group continues to support ecologists through these changes, whether you are seeking a permanent ecology role or a freelance contract. While the landscape is shifting, the demand for skilled, passionate ecologists remains strong. Mergers and acquisitions may reshape the sector, but they will not diminish the vital work ecologists do every day to protect and restore our natural world.

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