Meet The Team
Oliver Smith BA(Hons), MSc, AIEMA
Oliver is a founding director of EcoVigour, establishing the company in 2005 and managing its growth to the present day.
After completing an undergraduate degree in Environmental Management Oliver spent several years as an environmental assistant at the Welsh Development Agency and Welsh Assembly Government,whilst simultaneously studying part time for an MSc in Sustainability, Planning and Environmental Policy.
Following this Oliver worked as a sub consultant in the private sector, working on several large international infrastructure projects before establishing EcoVigour. During his term of employment Oliver gained valuable experience in areas as diverse as environmental impact assessment, land reclamation, ecological survey and landscape delivery.
Across all these areas Oliver witnessed the difficulties in the relationship between commissioning consultants and contractors delivering works, and began to consider better ways of working. From this seed EcoVigour developed, with Oliver deciding to combine his consultancy experience with his childhood skill set that he developed whilst growing up on the family farm and working in family businesses that are grounded in the construction sector.
In his current role Oliver is active throughout the company and can be seen anywhere from undertaking survey works, driving a digger, interfacing with clients or providing the strategic management of the business. Typically you will find Oliver in the office coordinating teams of consultants and contractors to ensure clients get the joined up service promised by EcoVigour.
Julian Gregory BEng, AIEMA
Julian’s working background is firmly rooted in engineering. On leaving school Julian undertook a four year apprenticeship as a Fitter Turner with ICI Fibres, which included gaining technical qualifications.
Julian studied for a B Eng in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cardiff University and then joined Capita Symonds as a Junior Engineer. Throughout his employment with Capita Symonds Julian was drawn more and more into the environmental aspects of large construction schemes where he gained extensive experience (with a sometimes steep learning curve) in ecology, pollution control, waste minimisation / management, sustainable construction and environmental audit.
Julian left Capita Symonds in 2005 and set up Gregory Environmental a multi-disciplinary environmental consultancy. In 2007 Gregory Environmental and EcoVigour partnered on a project for the first time and realised that due to the nature of the works the two companies undertook, there was a high value in forming a permanent partnership arrangement. To this end, Julian took on the role of Technical Director for EcoVigour. Julian currently splits his time between the two companies solving technical issues and overseeing EcoVigour projects.