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HiDef & BioConsult SH
The UK’s market leader in high-resolution digital aerial offshore wildlife surveys.
The UK’s market leader in high-resolution digital aerial offshore wildlife surveys.
Website Video
HiDef & BioConsult SH
The UK’s market leader in high-resolution digital aerial offshore wildlife surveys.
The UK’s market leader in high-resolution digital aerial offshore wildlife surveys.

Latest News

Three Months of Data Collection for Gippsland Offshore Wind Project ⭐

Three Months of Data Collection for Gippsland Offshore Wind Project ⭐

HiDef Aerial Surveying has been conducting digital aerial surveys for the Gippsland 01 offshore wind project in Australia for the past three months. As Ørsted’s first offshore wind project in Australia, Gippsland 01 represents a significant step toward diversifying the nation’s renewable energy landscape. Collaborating with AECOM as the environmental lead and Nature Advisory as… Continue Reading

HiDef sponsors Nicole Benson – Review Team

HiDef sponsors Nicole Benson – Review Team

HiDef is excited to share our support and sponsorship for Nicole Benson in our Review team who plays for Barrow Raiders Ladies (rugby league). Last weekend she was presented with her match shirt during the club’s media event. Josh Jardine and Andrea Smith – Team Leaders, went along to present the shirt on behalf of… Continue Reading

Three Months of Data Collection for Gippsland Offshore Wind Project ⭐

Three Months of Data Collection for Gippsland Offshore Wind Project ⭐

HiDef Aerial Surveying has been conducting digital aerial surveys for the Gippsland 01 offshore wind project in Australia for the past three months. As Ørsted’s first offshore wind project in Australia, Gippsland 01 represents a significant step toward diversifying the nation’s renewable energy landscape. Collaborating with AECOM as the environmental lead and Nature Advisory as… Continue Reading

HiDef sponsors Nicole Benson – Review Team

HiDef sponsors Nicole Benson – Review Team

HiDef is excited to share our support and sponsorship for Nicole Benson in our Review team who plays for Barrow Raiders Ladies (rugby league). Last weekend she was presented with her match shirt during the club’s media event. Josh Jardine and Andrea Smith – Team Leaders, went along to present the shirt on behalf of… Continue Reading

Category Archives: Our people – Science and Consultancy

Dr Laura Williamson – Principal Consultant

Dr Laura Williamson – Principal Consultant

Laura joined HiDef in August 2024 to lead Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Habitats Regulations Appraisals (HRAs) for marine mammals, underwater noise, and seabirds.

She has a strong background in marine mammal ecology and risk mitigation, as well as survey design, data analysis, and reporting for the offshore wind sector. Prior to joining HiDef, Laura worked at Ocean Science Consulting Limited for six years, beginning in an R&D role before progressing to Head of Projects, where she was responsible for project management, business strategy, tendering and grant writing, quality assurance of reports and publications, as well as staff and student supervision and mentoring. During her MRes and PhD at the University of Aberdeen, Laura analysed data from echolocation-click detectors (C-PODs), as well as HiDef digital aerial video footage to investigate the distribution of harbour porpoise along the east coast of Scotland.

Catriona Gall – Principal Consultant, MCIEEM

Catriona Gall – Principal Consultant, MCIEEM

As Principal Consultant, Catriona works with HiDef’s team of data scientists and environmental consultants to produce EIA chapters, HRA reports and technical appendices related to marine ornithology and marine mammal interests, most usually for offshore wind farm clients. Since starting at the company in March 2020, she has been HiDef’s project lead on numerous offshore… Continue Reading

Ruth Peters-Grundy – Senior Ecological Consultant

Ruth Peters-Grundy – Senior Ecological Consultant

Ruth joined HiDef in 2019 as an Imagery Analyst/Ecological Consultant. She has a background in wildlife and environmental science, achieving the top student award in both her MSc in Wildlife Biology and Conservation (Edinburgh Napier University, 2018-19) and BSc in Biology and Applied Environmental Science (Keele University, 2011-14). Ruth has a varied background, working as… Continue Reading

Dr Jack Forster – Principal Consultant (Data Science)

Dr Jack Forster – Principal Consultant (Data Science)

Jack joined HiDef in 2023, having spent over 10 years working as a statistician in government. Since starting at HiDef, Jack has focused on embedding reproducible analytical pipelines within HiDef’s processes, along with refining flight height analysis. Jack is a Chartered Statistician, and previously worked as an in-house statistical consultant with a broad remit including… Continue Reading

William Peden – Senior Data Scientist

William Peden – Senior Data Scientist

William joined HiDef in 2022 bringing a range of skills having previously worked in government research agencies and consultancy. Much of his past work has involved working with complex ecological data and developing analytical processes using tools such as the programming language R and ArcMap. He also has extensive experience writing technical reports, peer-reviewed papers,… Continue Reading

Naphon Olley – Data Scientist

Naphon Olley – Data Scientist

Naphon recently joined HiDef in August 2022 as a Data Scientist, after studying an integrated Master’s in Statistics at the University of Glasgow. He began university with a wide interest in statistical topics and through his studies has developed his passion for statistical ecology and spatial modelling, through realising the urgency of working on climate… Continue Reading

Allison Pearson – Business Administrator

Allison Pearson – Business Administrator

Allison recently joined HiDef as Business Administrator in the Consultancy Team. Prior to joining HiDef, Allison was a National Account Manager in the Office Supplies Industry and latterly worked in Lettings and Property Management.  Allison’s role within the team will ensure the company admin, project and financial matters run and are monitored smoothly. Continue Reading

Polly Brown – Ecological Consultant

Polly Brown – Ecological Consultant

Polly joined HiDef in January 2024 as an Ecological Consultant after completing her MRes in Biodiversity and Conservation from the University of Leeds. Before that, she gained a BSc in Zoology at the University of Glasgow, acquiring a wide range of relevant knowledge of both ornithology and marine science. Her Master’s research used foraging ranges… Continue Reading

Liam Price – Ecological Consultant

Liam Price – Ecological Consultant

Liam joined HiDef in October 2024 as an Ecological Consultant after reading his MSc in Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Reconstruction at Northumbria University. Liam’s background is primarily finance, having worked in personal financial planning for seven years following his bachelor’s degree. However, he was inspired to change direction in his life and career after living… Continue Reading

Rebecca Nagel – Data Scientist

Rebecca Nagel – Data Scientist

Rebecca joined HiDef in 2025, having worked for 10 years as a researcher and field biologist in academia. Much of her past work has involved collecting, analysing, and summarizing complex ecological data for publication in peer-reviewed research journals. This has included work assessing how wild populations of Antarctic fur seals and St Kilda Soay sheep… Continue Reading

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Our People
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Our People

HiDef Map Locations

ADDRESS:

The Observatory,

Dobies Business Park,

Lillyhall, Workington,

Cumbria, CA14 4HX

Tel: 01946 814463

Registered in England and Wales No. 5587044

Registered Office: The Observatory, Dobies Business Park, Lillyhall, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 4HX

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