The teams at the heart of our operations

At Ocean Ecology, the heart of our success is our people. Our diverse team of around 100 passionate individuals is united by a shared commitment to the marine environment and sustainable operations.

Key personnel at ocean ecology include

Picture of Ross Griffin

Ross Griffin

Group Managing Director

Ross is an accomplished marine scientist who founded Ocean Ecology in 2013. As Group Managing Director, he oversees the strategic direction of the Ocean Ecology Group, focusing on group-level strategy, business development, external relations, and innovation. His leadership aligns the group with DNV’s broader objectives while maintaining its identity based on a deep passion for the ocean.

Gary Robinson

Managing Director

Gary is an accomplished marine ecologist and Operations Director with a background in marine biology. Starting his career in marine mammal mitigation, he co-founded Ocean Ecology in 2014 to deliver innovative ecological solutions supporting the blue economy. Gary leverages his offshore expertise to oversee operations and ensure compliance through the company’s ISO-accredited QHSE systems.

Amy Read

Head of Corporate Services

Amy has worked in Office Management and HR since 2011 and gained a CIPD Level 5 qualification in 2017, enhancing her expertise in people management and organisational development. She joined Ocean Ecology in 2020 and has played a key role in the company’s growth, with a strong focus on recruitment, talent acquisition, and adapting policies and procedures to meet the demands of a dynamic business.

Dominic Waller

Head of Commercial

Dominic has a solid background in marine consultancy and environmental science. Dom trained as a marine biologist and previously worked in professional roles focusing on the consenting of offshore windfarms, as well as the coordination of EIAs. His experience in bid management, along with his competitive edge and interpersonal ability, led him to fulfil his current role as Head of Commercial.

Sam Holmes

Head of Projects

Sam’s background lies in benthic ecology with a specialism in invasive non-native species. He developed his expertise in benthic sampling techniques through his Masters and PhD research. Since joining Ocean Ecology in 2021, he has enjoyed several roles which enabled him to build offshore survey and consulting skills. He now oversees the Project Management and GIS teams.

Elena Cappelli

Head of Consultancy

Elena studied management of the marine environment in Italy before obtaining her PhD as a Marie Curie Early Career Researcher in Germany. After a postdoc at the University of St Andrews, Elena joined Ocean Ecology in 2020 and was appointed Consultancy Manager in 2022. She now leads a strong team providing technical advice for a sustainable use of the marine environment and its resources.

Ashley Kirby

Head of Survey

Ashley studied Marine Biology at Newcastle University before joining Ocean Ecology in 2016. After starting as an Assistant Marine Ecologist, Ashley has taken on more responsibilities and grown with the company to his current position as Head of Survey. Ashley now oversees all aspects of the company’s survey operations including personnel, vessels and survey equipment.
Picture of a boat heading for an offshore wind platform

Michael Redford

Head of Analytical Services

Michael is a highly experienced Marine Scientist with extensive experience globally. He holds a BSc in Environmental Science, an MSc in Biodiversity Conservation, and a PhD in Marine Science. Since joining Ocean Ecology in 2021, he has been instrumental in expanding analytical capacity and quality, while developing service provisions and overseeing a growing department of more than 45 people.

Mike Field

Technical Lead, Coastal & Estuarine

Mike completed a BSc in Marine Biology and an MSc in Applied Fish Biology and then spent several years in research. But the last 30 years of his career have been in the marine impact assessment and consultancy sector. More than 15 years of this were as a director of the environmental consultancy Ecospan before it was acquired by Ocean Ecology, at which point he took up his current role.
Picture of Robyn Black

Robyn Black

Compliance and Audit Manager

Robyn holds a degree in marine biology from Newcastle University. After graduating she worked in the Maldives building artificial reefs for five years, then as a health and safety consultant in many industries since 2018 and as a Lead Auditor for ISO 9001, 14001 & 45001 since 2021. She joined Ocean Ecology in 2023 as Compliance & Audit Manager responsible for the management of the QHSE system.

Chris Hulley

Projects QHSE Lead

Chris has worked in marine ecological survey and consultancy since 2010, having obtained his degree in marine biology from the University of Liverpool. He is an experienced project manager and environmental surveyor, with extensive knowledge in offshore benthic ecological survey. Since joining Ocean Ecology in 2022 he has been responsible for HSE management in relation to survey operations.
Picture of Simon Newsam

Simon Newsam

Marketing & Communications Specialist

Simon trained in microbiology and genetics before becoming a journalist. After gaining extensive experience in newspapers and magazines, he switched to online media in 1999. Armed with digital and marketing skills, he ran training courses at Cardiff University and helped a leading PR agency go digital before running his own business. He joined Ocean Ecology in 2024 to return to his science roots.
Picture of Elliot Carter

Elliot Carter

Head of Data Solutions

Elliot trained in mathematics and computer science before becoming a software and database developer. After gaining extensive experience creating data solutions for industries, including retail, clinical research and housing, he co-founded his own company. In 2017 he created, ABACUS, Ocean Ecology’s ground-breaking ecological lab data management tool and joined Ocean Ecology exclusively in 2021.

Jørgen Vatn

Head of Fish Health

Jørgen Vatn is a veterinary surgeon specializing in aquaculture medicine. He joined DNV in 2019 to help build an aquaculture R&D portfolio before taking on responsibility for DNV’s Global Aquaculture Strategy. He also served as PM for the acquisition of Åkerblå Group, a leading Norwegian fish health company. Jørgen now leads Ocean Ecology’s newly established Fish Health Unit, based in Oban.

Richard Hopewell

Principal Fish Health Consultant

Richard Hopewell has worked in aquaculture since 1994 and as a Fish Health Manager since 2001. He has pioneered the advancement of fish health and welfare in the largest companies in both the salmon and trout sectors in Scotland at the highest level and is now Principal Fish Health Consultant for Ocean Ecology in Oban.

our locations

We operate from three main centres around the UK. Most of our staff are based in these centres although many roles allow for home or hybrid working and our survey teams can work all over the world.

Picture of the sunset across the River Severn from Ocean Ecology's Gloucester office

Gloucester

Our headquarters near Gloucester are in a picturesque rural setting on the banks of the River Severn and witness the Severn Bore several times a year.

These facilities house both offices and laboratories. Samples and data from marine surveys all over the world are sent here for analysis. Our lab teams here provide services ranging from benthic taxonomy to seabed mapping.

Gloucester provides easy access to the sea for our vessels. And the area offers a variety of places for staff to live, either locally around Gloucester or commuting from Cheltenham, Bristol, the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean.

Oban

Our facilities in Oban, on the west coast of Scotland, are based in glorious settings at the European Marine Science Park. This places them strategically at the heart of the UK’s aquaculture industry and ensures they are also ideally positioned to serve offshore wind and other sectors in the blue economy.

Our staff here provide traditional marine laboratory services as well as more modern techniques, such as eDNA analysis. Our subsidiary, Tritonia Scientific, is also based here.

The bustling port of Oban and its hinterland offer a variety of activities for those enjoying the great outdoors on land and sea.

Ocean Ecology's wooden-clad curved office in Oban
Plymouth Science Park building

Plymouth

We have two bases in the thriving city of Plymouth, a globally recognised centre of excellence for marine science and technology.

One is home to a team of marine scientists working on projects all over the UK and beyond. The other houses both marine and data scientists, including Data Solutions, our specialist team established to handle the increasing volume of data gathered through field surveys and lab analysis.

With its connections to the marine biology sector, Plymouth is an ideal base for our operations. The city offers a range of lifestyles and is a great location for those loving the marine world and appreciating the beautiful and varied landscapes around it.

ocean ecology update

Picture of leading Fish health specialist Richard Hopewell of Ocean Ecology

News

Richard Hopewell joins Ocean Ecology’s new fish health unit
Read article: Richard Hopewell joins Ocean Ecology’s new fish health unit
Picture of a remote underwater vehicle (ROV) in the sea

News

OE acquires innovation focused Tritonia Scientific
Read article: OE acquires innovation focused Tritonia Scientific
logo of the Workboat Association

News

Ocean Ecology joins the Workboat Association
Read article: Ocean Ecology joins the Workboat Association
Picture of Sara Pflaum

News

Sara Pflaum joins Ocean Ecology
Read article: Sara Pflaum joins Ocean Ecology
Small catamaran (Coastal Surveyor) moored on a harbour wall

News

OE Awarded Triple QHSE ISO Certification
Read article: OE Awarded Triple QHSE ISO Certification
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News

Spotlight: Principal Sediment Specialist Kate Llewellin
Read article: Spotlight: Principal Sediment Specialist Kate Llewellin
Picture of leading Fish health specialist Richard Hopewell of Ocean Ecology

News

Richard Hopewell joins Ocean Ecology’s new fish health unit
Read article: Richard Hopewell joins Ocean Ecology’s new fish health unit
Picture of a remote underwater vehicle (ROV) in the sea

News

OE acquires innovation focused Tritonia Scientific
Read article: OE acquires innovation focused Tritonia Scientific
logo of the Workboat Association

News

Ocean Ecology joins the Workboat Association
Read article: Ocean Ecology joins the Workboat Association