During his time at Edge Hill University, Josh became well-known as an ambitious and enthusiastic individual, earning multiple scholarships in recognition of his work ethic, proactive volunteering, and contributions to the university. Among these achievements was the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Study Prize, awarded alongside his 1st class BSc degree in Ecology for attaining the highest aggregate mark across the Faculty.
After completing his undergraduate degree, Josh became a Senior Ecologist and Botanical Specialist for a consultancy in Formby, Merseyside. There, he managed numerous projects, including complex schemes addressing Biodiversity Net Gain, and the survey, assessment, and mitigation of impacts across a wide range of habitats, including globally important ones such as fixed sand dunes, boreal heath, and degraded raised mire.
Josh later received a Distinction in his MSc in Biological Recording and Ecological Monitoring at Manchester Metropolitan University. He then progressed to roles in two large ecological consultancies, where his extensive experience and understanding of UK terrestrial habitats led to his appointment as Principal Ecologist, Botanical Specialist, and Botanical Training Lead. In this capacity, Josh spearheaded the upskilling of staff in habitat and botanical survey and assessment, and he introduced the FISC assessment nationally. He regularly conducted specialist habitat and botanical surveys across Britain, working with cryptic and highly conservation-dependent habitats such as transition mires, blanket mire, European dry heaths, Molinia meadows, calcareous grasslands, and ancient woodlands. Josh remains one of the few individuals in the country involved in the licensed survey, assessment, and mitigation for specially protected species such as floating water-plantain (*Luronium natans*), field wormwood (*Artemisia campestris*), and viper’s-grass (*Scorzonera humilis*).
In addition to his over 9 years of consultancy experience, Josh sits on several professional committees, including the North-West and Ecological Restoration Committees of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). His expertise extends beyond complex infrastructure and development projects to include conservation and restoration. Josh actively volunteers for various local conservation charities, including the North-West Rare Plant Initiative, which he established in 2017. He is also deeply involved in training and education, with his enthusiasm for sharing knowledge recognised through his regular training sessions and appearances on television and radio programmes such as BBC Countryfile, Channel 4 Dispatches, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5, and CBBC Blue Peter.
