Senior or Principal Safety in Design Consultant

LUC makes key appointment to Scottish ecology team. 29 July 2026 ENVIRONMENT consultancy LUC has announced the appointment of Anita Hogan as director of ecology in its Scottish ecology team. Anita brings over 22 years' project and team management experience in ecological consultancy across Scotland, Ireland, and England to the role. Prior to joining LUC in June 2026, Anita was a regional director at WSP, leading the Scotland and Ireland nature services teams across four offices in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland. Prior to that, she spent 10 years at Wood plc where she had a strong focus on onshore wind and large-scale linear projects. Anita is a chartered ecologist and a chartered environmentalist and holds several protected species licences from NatureScot and Natural England. In 2025, she was named in the ENDS Power List - an annual ranking of the 100 most influential environmental professionals. In her new role, Anita and the wider ecology team will collaborate with the organisation's landscape, planning and historic environment teams on a range of projects. LUC has delivered and planned multiple schemes in Scotland and Northern Ireland, including the proposed Rivox Wind Energy Hub in Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire Council's Local Nature Conservation Sites, and collaboration with the Northern Ireland department for education to help modernise schools across the country. Anita said, "Having a positive outcome for people and nature and leaving the world in a better place is very important to me and I'm looking forward to working with LUC to do that. You can't have positive outcomes for nature within consultancy without a strong people-centred culture and I am passionate about supporting and encouraging all individuals equally. My decision to move to LUC was based on the alignment core values, and it feels like an auspicious time to join this proudly employee-owned company as they celebrate 60 years of independence and of achieving positive outcomes for people and nature." Steve Jackson-Matthews, executive director of ecology at LUC, added, "This appointment reflects the continued growth of LUC's ecology team in Scotland. We're delighted to welcome Anita, whose extensive experience in ecological consultancy across the UK and Republic of Ireland will strengthen the team as we continue to grow our portfolio of projects."

WSP brings solutions and emerging talent together at WISA 2026. 28th July 2026 WSP in Africa used its participation at the WISA 2026 Biennial Conference and Exhibition to connect practical water-sector innovation with the development of emerging professionals. Held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 22 to 24 July under the theme "Rethink Amanzi - Securing Our Future", the conference brought the sector together to focus on resilient infrastructure and stronger professional capacity. A central part of WSP's involvement was the Young Water Professionals Hackathon, developed with WISA's Young Water Professionals. Launched on 19 March, the initiative attracted 78 initial entries from early-career professionals and students. Eighteen teams progressed to the final phase and were evaluated by an adjudication panel on 13 July. The teams worked on four challenges identified by experienced water-sector professionals. These addressed access to hydrological data, municipal water losses, public confidence in water reuse, and the sustainable management of brine from mine-water treatment. The finalists had to demonstrate a clear solution supported by evidence or sound logic, together with a realistic route to implementation. Their submissions also had to account for cost, risk, likely benefits, and the operational conditions in which the proposed solution would need to work. Team AquaLink was recognised as the winning team for hydrological data access, with Team Emlanjeni HUB as runner-up. An individual submission, Nontobeko Mngwengwe, won the municipal water-loss category, followed by Team SkyLeak. Team IsOurH2Okay took first place for water reuse and public acceptance, with Team Maji Safi Consultancy as runner-up. The selected teams presented their concepts at the conference and received certificates and gift vouchers. "The Hackathon gave young professionals the opportunity to work on problems the sector is dealing with now, rather than hypothetical classroom exercises," says Heidi Snyman, Strategic Technical Advisor: Earth & Environment, WSP in Africa. "The quality of the submissions showed technical imagination and a strong awareness of South Africa's institutional and operational constraints." WSP specialists Snyman, Jacques Schmidt, Martin Pryor, Evashan Moodliar, Priya Moodley, and Lee Boyd helped shape and support the programme. Technical insight across the water system. WSP's wider conference programme reflected the relationship between water efficiency, infrastructure planning, and future energy development. Marunel de Beer presented Water Pinch, a tool to reduce freshwater demand and improve water-use efficiency for mining. Her presentation examined how the tool can support more efficient water use across mining operations. WSP also led the workshop Do Construction Safety has sufficient water for green hydrogen production? The project funded by the Water Research Commission examines the availability and quality of water that could support South Africa's green hydrogen ambitions. Priya Moodley facilitated the workshop and led the overview; Lee Boyd presented the water-resource findings, and Martin Pryor addressed treatment requirements. The workshop considered the trade-offs that need to inform green hydrogen planning in a water-scarce country, including competition for available resources, plant reliability, and energy security. Snyman also participated in a workshop on upskilling and mentorship for career growth in the water sector, extending the conference's focus on developing the people needed to build and run future water systems. "WISA creates a valuable meeting point between technical practice, research, public institutions, and the people entering the sector," says Patrick Riley, Director: Water & Maritime, WSP in Africa. "The work presented this year showed that water resilience depends on ideas that can survive real operating conditions and on professionals who can carry those ideas into delivery." Recognising a career of service to the sector. Its Dr Ralph Heath attended the WISA/WSP Leadership Dinner hosted by WSP on 21 July but did not attend the conference as he is settling into retirement. He was missed as this was the first WISA biennial conference in decades that he did attend and contribute to the programme. Heath, a Strategic Advisor at WSP in Africa, is a former WISA president and Senior Fellow of WISA. "Ralph has made a lasting contribution to WISA and to the wider water profession," says Riley. "We look forward to seeing him at future conferences with fewer responsibilities and more time to enjoy the discussion." WSP's participation at WISA 2026 reflected a common thread across its technical presentations and workshops. South Africa's water challenges require solutions that can work under real-world operating conditions and professionals with the skills to sustain them. WSP in Africa is hiring! To find out more about available opportunities, check out the Careers page on its website or look out for updates on its LinkedIn page, @WSPinAfrica.

Flat Holm heritage project wins twice at national construction awards. Thursday, 16 July 2026 The 'Flat Holm: A Walk Through Time' project has won two awards at the 2026 Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards. The project, which was funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund alongside investment from the island's owners Cardiff Council and delivered by Cardiff Harbour Authority, Knox & Wells, WSP and CMS Group secured both the Building Project of the Year (under £5m) and the Regeneration & Conservation Award. The multi-million-pound project, which also received in-kind support from partner organisations including the Flat Holm Society and RSPB Cymru, has seen the Grade II-listed foghorn station restored, the historic cholera hospital stabilised and improvements made to the island's Victorian water systems, alongside initiatives to improve habitats for the island's colony of lesser black-backed gulls, deliver new island trails, digital content and public art designed to encourage visitors and bring island life to the mainland. Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: "Winning two national awards is a fantastic recognition of the partnership working, expertise and dedication that has gone into protecting Flat Holm island's unique history and opening up its fascinating stories to new audiences." Knox & Wells Managing Director, Mike Baynham, said: "We are extremely pleased to see the restoration work delivered on Flat Holm Island receive such praise and recognition. Flat Holm is one of the most uniquely challenging projects that we have ever undertaken, with the island's remote location presenting logistical challenges far beyond any ordinary construction site. The project would not have been possible without the collaborative effort and passion of the entire team, who have taken immense pride in being part of this latest chapter of the island's history." Project Manager for Flat Holm, Technical Director, WSP UK and Ireland, Richard Wilks, said: "Restoring these two iconic buildings on Flat Holm demanded strong teamwork and precise planning. We're proud to have supported Cardiff Council in revitalising these integral pieces of the island's story, so people can continue to experience its intriguing and unique history." Director for Wales, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Andrew White, said: "Flat Holm is a unique place with a remarkable history and these awards are a testament to the vision and dedication behind the project. Thanks to National Lottery players, this project has protected important heritage, enhanced the island's natural environment and created new opportunities for people to experience and connect with its stories, both on and off the island. It's fantastic to see this work recognised at a national level." Located approximately five miles off the Cardiff coast in the Bristol Channel, Flat Holm (Ynys Echni) is the most southerly point of Wales and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and local nature reserve with internationally important wildlife. Despite its small size, the island has played a remarkable role in history. It was the site of the first successful wireless signal sent across open water in 1897, it housed a Victorian cholera isolation hospital and formed part of the UK's coastal defences during both Victorian times and the Second World War. Today, it is home to an important seabird colony, rare flora and fauna, as well as historic features including its iconic lighthouse, first built in 1737 to guide ships through the busy Bristol Channel.