Our Team

As our Director with a background as a Senior Land Advisor, David has extensive experience in writing feasibility reports for large-scale conservation projects, management plans, and site assessments across Devon and Cornwall.

Trained in BASIS Soils & Water and RiverMoRPH, and as a fully licensed and experienced drone pilot, David brings a strong technical foundation to his work. His main areas of expertise include natural flood management, wetland creation, and river restoration.

With a background rooted in freshwater systems, David focuses on building catchment resilience and working closely with landowners to deliver practical, effective environmental solutions. He brings a keen eye for detail and a commitment to ensuring high-quality results across every project he’s involved in.

Georgia recently graduated from Duchy College with a BSc in Agriculture, after previously studying at Schumacher College where she gained a Higher Level Diploma in Regenerative Food and Farming. During her studies, she developed a real passion for nature based solutions, focusing her dissertation on how these approaches could help reduce agricultural pollution.

Keen to put her learning into practice, Georgia volunteered with the Devon Wildlife Trust as a volunteer farm advisor, supporting local farmers in adopting more sustainable and wildlife-friendly practices. As a Consultant at South West Natural Solutions, Georgia loves working at the point where farming and nature meet and is passionate about helping others find practical ways to care for both the land and the environment.

Clare Manning (BSc, PgDip) is a seasoned environmental consultant with 20 years’ experience in habitat protection, water quality and catchment-scale land management. She joined SWNS in November 2025 prior to which she worked freelance, providing specialist advice on river and wetland restoration, nature-friendly/regenerative farming, agri-environment schemes, and Natural Flood Management.

From 2021–2023 Clare held roles at Natural England as Senior Adviser for Nutrient Neutrality (covering the River Axe and Camel) and as Lead Adviser for Freshwater Protected Sites, contributing to statutory and strategic water consultations, SSSI condition monitoring and related delivery work with private landowners, water companies and the Environment Agency.

After gaining a BSc in Environmental Science from Seale Hayne Agricultural College, Hugh began his career in nature conservation with the Dorset Wildlife Trust, where he developed a wide range of practical countryside skills including chainsaw work, hedge laying, tractor driving, fencing, livestock management, and brush cutting.

Hugh moved to Cornwall in 2001 and has spent the past twenty-four years supporting farmers to manage their land in ways that benefit both wildlife and people. Alongside this, he has continued to carry out practical conservation work.

Hugh joined South West Natural Solutions in September 2025, where he is involved with the practical delivery of projects.

Becca has nearly a decade of experience working within the countryside and environmental sector. She studied Zoology at the University of Exeter before completing a Certificate in Countryside Management at Scotland’s Rural University College.

She has worked across much of the South West in a variety of roles, including providing farm advice to improve water quality in North Devon and coordinating tree planting for the Upstream Thinking project. Becca particularly enjoys fulfilling practical work such as coppicing, hedge laying, and general countryside management. She is passionate about delivering positive and sustainable change across the British countryside and is dedicated to being part of that movement through practical delivery at South West Natural Solutions.

Louise recently graduated from the Royal Agricultural University with a First-Class BSc (Hons) in Wildlife & Countryside Management, having previously completed a Higher Level Diploma in Regenerative Food and Farming at Schumacher College.

With a background spanning horticulture, ecology and regenerative land management, she is particularly interested in the connections between soils, water, habitats and the communities that depend upon them. Her work combines practical field skills with a systems-thinking approach, seeking to understand how landscapes function as interconnected ecological and social systems.

Louise is currently involved in water quality monitoring and restoration planning projects within the River Erme catchment, collaborating with landowners, volunteers and local organisations to build a clearer understanding of catchment health and identify opportunities for nature-based remediation and habitat enhancement.

At South West Natural Solutions, she contributes to projects focused on catchment resilience, habitat restoration and nature-based solutions. She enjoys working at the point where ecological understanding can be translated into practical action, helping to support healthier landscapes for both people and wider nature.

Clive Edmunds has worked in agriculture for many years . Most recently he worked for Devon Wildlife Trust, leading a team of farm advisors, aiming to support sustainable farm businesses as well as ensuring that the adverse impact on nature and water quality was minimised. Prior to this he worked for many years as a BASIS qualified agronomist.

He has particular knowledge and interest in soil health as well as agri-environment schemes. His role within our team is flexible, able to work in an advisory capacity as well as supporting our practical delivery of projects . 

He is hugely passionate about both nature conservation and farming. 

As part of our practical delivery team, Fox brings a wealth of experience in habitat management, tree works and natural flood management.

Her background working on nature reserves and environmental projects combines practical knowledge, experience and capability with an all important awareness of working with species, habitats and sensitive sites.

Oona graduated with a BSc in Zoology and Conservation from the University of Gloucestershire in 2022. Passionate about supporting the recovery of native British species, she decided to focus her career on practical ecosystem and habitat restoration, where she can have the most meaningful and wide-reaching impact.

She has undertaken conservation land management training with both the RSPB and Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, gaining hands-on experience in managing habitats to benefit wildlife. Oona enjoys working directly in the field, restoring habitats for plants and animals. She brings a keen eye for detail, a love of nature, and a dedication to creating resilient landscapes that support biodiversity and ecosystem health.