Our Team
As a consultancy, at Atlantic58, our value lies in the knowledge, capabilities and skills of both our in-house team and wider network of associates.
Laura carse | director
Laura is a Chartered Environmentalist and full member of IEMA with over 20 years’ experience in the environmental sector. After studying Tropical Environmental Science at Aberdeen University and completing an MSc in Marine Resource Development and Protection at Heriot-Watt, she undertook research in Bolivia and later trained as a commercial SCUBA diver. Her professional career has spanned regulatory roles at SEPA, consultancy in onshore wind, and leadership in marine renewables since 2010. Based in the Hebrides since 2015, she founded Atlantic58 to support aquaculture, space and renewables projects. Laura leads the company with expertise in marine benthic ecology, peatland biology, and environmental assessment, and continues to work across a wide range of projects from local conservation to complex EIA commissions.
david macdonald | business manager
David graduated with a BA in Business Enterprise and Finance from the University of Strathclyde, focusing his studies on SME finance and operations. His early career included managing the Calanais Centre Redevelopment feasibility study and supporting local businesses in the Hebrides with technology implementation and branding. He joined Atlantic58 in 2024 as Business Manager, where he now introduces process improvement strategies and integrated project systems to boost organisational efficiency. In addition to overseeing business operations and planning, David is working towards chartered accountancy and continues to engage actively in community development as Chair of North Harris Community Council.
sARAH mURRAY | ASSOCIATE SENIOR CONSULTANT
Sarah is an experienced EIA practitioner with degrees in Sustainable Environmental Management and Marine Resource Management. As an Associate member of IEMA, she has over a decade of experience in consultancy and project coordination, contributing to wave and tidal energy developments, offshore wind, aquaculture, and spaceport initiatives across Scotland. Her skills include site optioneering, consent strategies, scoping and HRA delivery, stakeholder engagement, and survey coordination. At Atlantic58, Sarah applies her experience to ensure assessments are tailored, proportionate, and strategically aligned with environmental and community outcomes.
RUTH JEavons | senior ecologist
Ruth holds both an MSc and PhD in seabird behaviour and movement ecology, and has more than 10 years’ experience in conservation and ecological research. Her expertise spans ornithological survey design, protected species monitoring, statistical analysis, and crofting land management. At Atlantic58 since 2022, Ruth has led EPS licence applications, biodiversity enhancement proposals, and Agri-Environment Climate Scheme consultations. Her work spans the Hebrides, and she actively engages with communities and youth through science outreach and educational workshops. She aims to foster academic collaboration in seabird conservation and wider ornithological research.
rebecca winfield | quality manager
Rebecca returned to education to earn an HND in Business and has been certified as a professional proofreader. She has more than 25 years' administrative experience, including 15 years at executive level, and has worked across sectors. Rebecca joined Atlantic58 in 2022, initially as Office Manager and now serves as Quality Manager. She ensures that reports and assessments meet accuracy, speed and procedural standards, and is leading the development of internal guidance and accreditation pathways for quality and cyber assurance.
susie MCivor | senior environmental and sustainability consultant
Susie brings more than two decades of experience in environmental management and sustainability, underpinned by her PgC in Sustainable Rural Development and engineering background. She is a qualified BREEAM Infrastructure Assessor and lead auditor for ISO standards including 14001, 9001 and 20121. Her work includes developing sustainability policy and delivery plans, leading EIAR coordination, and evaluating post-construction mitigation. Since joining Atlantic58 in 2024 as Senior Consultant, Susie leads on sustainability strategy and contributes to the team’s work in social value and climate change.
barnaby ashton | ecological/ Gis consultant
Barnaby studied Geoscience at the University of St Andrews and completed an MSc in Ecology and Conservation at the University of Aberdeen before transitioning from business management to ecology. Since joining Atlantic58 in 2021, he has built a strong profile in fieldwork, especially ornithology and EPS surveys. Barnaby also supports spatial analysis using QGIS and brings a broad lifelong interest in wildlife to his work. He is an accredited marine mammal observer and contributes to Atlantic58's environmental assessments with a focus on seabirds and coastal ecology.
angus maclean | ecological consultant
Angus graduated with a BSc in Environmental Resource Management and joined Atlantic58 in 2023 following experience with RSPB, RPS, and David Dodds Associates. He has worked across protected species surveys, peatland monitoring, and ecological data management, and supported research during the avian flu outbreak in the Outer Hebrides. Angus also founded the Outer Hebrides Bat Group and is expanding the team's on-island bat survey capacity. He contributes to Atlantic58’s ecological assessments, restoration work and community conservation efforts, with an aim to obtain his bat licence.
Beth hunt | Ecologist & graduate environmental clerk of works
Beth holds a BSc (Hons) in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Portsmouth and joined Atlantic58 as a Graduate Ecologist and Environmental Clerk of Works. She has gained experience across habitat classification, water monitoring, protected species surveys and construction site compliance. Her background includes regenerative agriculture and ecological data analysis. Trained in QGIS and herbivore impact assessment, Beth supports both fieldwork and reporting duties across diverse ecological developments.
gareth gentles | Environmental consultant
Gareth holds a degree in Environmental Biology from the University of Liverpool and has 18 years’ consultancy experience in environmental assessment, land remediation, asbestos and radon testing, and air quality monitoring. He has supported biodiversity projects through crofting and sustainable farming practices. Joining Atlantic58 in 2023, Gareth contributes across feasibility studies, surveys and EIAs, bringing a multi-disciplinary perspective and deep field experience to the team’s ecological work.
bethany maclean | trainee administrator
Bethany joined Atlantic58 in August 2025 as a trainee administrator. She is a Lewis native and has recently completed an HNC Business at UHI North West & Hebrides. Bethany is a crofter on the Isle of Lewis and has an interest in business & tourism. Having studied administration and IT to higher level during her time in school, she can now put those skills to use within the working environment whilst developing her skills further in HR & Marketing. Additionally, she is a fluent Gaelic speaker and has a passion for learning languages as she hopes to travel abroad in the future. Within her role as a trainee administrator, she helps to ensure that the business runs smoothly on a daily basis.
frances simmons | social scientist
Frances has academic qualifications in Arabic and Linguistics, Language Documentation and Description, and Coastal Communities and Regional Development. Her thesis work on place attachment theory was paired with innovative walking transect interviews, and she later conducted research in Canada focused on decolonisation theory and conservation engagement. She brings experience in visual ethnography, cultural science communication, and community wellbeing. With Atlantic58, Frances supports research and engagement strategies across social science, environmental advocacy, and ethics-led methodologies.
Victoria Jamieson | graduate ecologist
Vicky recently completed an MRes in Biosciences at the University of Sheffield, conducting a research project on the growth of plug-planted Sphagnum moss species on upland blanket bog. Prior to this, she graduated from Lancaster University with a BSc (Hons) in Ecology and Conservation. In summer 2025 she attended Yorkshire Peat Partnership’s Peatland Restoration Practitioner course, developing her knowledge of peatland ecology and restoration. As a graduate ecologist she will broaden her skillset across a wide range of habitats and protected species whilst continuing to focus on peatlands and vegetation.
Ashleigh macsween | Senior eia consultant
Ashleigh is delighted to join the Atlantic58 team, as of September 2025. Currently based in Glasgow, she is planning her move to Lewis and is looking forward to learning how to be a good crofter and to getting to know the Outer Hebrides through her involvement in the many local projects Atlantic58 are working on. Ashleigh has over eight years’ experience in the environmental sector. Over the years she has developed her skills as an EIA practitioner, and has coordinated EIAs from screening through to full EIA. Her project experience spans a wide variety of projects, which include major infrastructure schemes, flood alleviation schemes, onshore wind and housing developments. In addition to being an experienced EIA practitioner, Ashleigh also has experience in the role of an Environmental Clerk of Works (EnvCoW). Through her role as EnvCoW she has helped clients and contractors meet environmental commitments on site. Ashleigh has experience across all stages of a project and brings a practical, solutions-focused approach to protecting and enhancing the environment.
Join the team
We are a small team and always looking to enhance our skillset
Atlantic58 is a rapidly growing consultancy with a wide network of subcontractors and associates and diverse range of projects. If you are based in the Western Isles and feel you may have skills to offer, please get in touch.
We are particularly interested to hear from individuals with skills in EIA, across project management and EIA technical assessment experience to join the team or as part of our wider network of associates.