Matthew Crabb BSc (Hons) FLS MIFM MRSB

Director and Principal Consultant

Since graduating in 1999 with a degree in Marine Environmental Chemistry, Matthew has developed his career as a recognised and respected environmental consultant and ecologist, specialising in the aquatic environment. Matthew is a fellow of the Linnean Society of London, the world’s oldest active biological society and is a full member of both the Institute of Fisheries Management and the Royal Society of Biology.

Matthew’s 20 years of experience spans both public and private sectors, having worked for 5 years within the Environment Agency (EA). Initially working within a specialised technical marine team, undertaking statutory monitoring, reporting and investigation surveys/studies to support the requirements of a wide range of European directives and national legislation under EA jurisdiction. Matthew later transferred to the EA National Marine Service, where he managed a comprehensive marine monitoring program for coastal and transitional waters along the south coast of England (Falmouth to the Thames); delivering the monitoring requirements for a wide range of European directives and national projects.

Matthew transitioned to the private environment sector in 2008, starting as a senior aquatic ecologist. Matthew spent the next two and a half years managing and delivering Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), designing environmental surveys and coordinating monitoring programmes for a wide range of clients, with projects ranging from major infrastructure to niche specialised schemes. During this period, he developed a detailed knowledge of freshwater and marine ecology, survey and sampling techniques and environmental impact assessment and consenting.

In 2010, Matthew took up a Principal Consultant role in an independent marine environmental consultancy. During this phase of his career he developed his now extensive project management, environmental consultancy and pre- and post-consent expertise. Project managing multi-disciplinary teams of in-house professional ecologists, taxonomists, oceanographers, geophysicists and external sub-consultants, Matthew established himself as a leading EIA consultant. In this role, Matthew project managed and supported EIAs for nationally important major infrastructure projects including Hornsea Round Three Offshore Wind Farm Scoping and PEIR (Project One), Navitus Bay Round 3 Offshore Wind Farm, Nigg Bay (Aberdeen Harbour) and Port of Leith 21st Century Port. In addition, Matthew played lead role in the delivery of water and sediment quality consultancy services.

Matthew took the opportunity to move to a water company in 2015. Here he joined the Strategic Planning team in the role of Bathing Water Technical Specialist, enabling him to follow his career long specialism in water quality. Providing specialist technical advice with regard to bathing water compliance and root cause analysis, Matthew developed investment strategies for enhancing bathing waters compliance.

Matthew has since co-founded Carcinus Ltd and from March 2017 began full time as Director of Consultancy. Matthew is responsible for overall management of the consultancy department, drawing upon his extensive expertise in environmental project management, impact assessment and development support.