Jonathan brings over 17 years of experience to ERC in the fields of contaminated site assessment and remediation, asbestos, engineering geology and environmental management. Jonathan graduated with an honours degree in Geology from the University of Manchester in 2001 and as such brings a grounded earth science approach to all aspects of environmental consulting, based on scientific first principals. Jonathan holds Full Membership of the Institution of Environmental Sciences, in recognition of his professional experience and contribution to the environmental science professional community.

 

As the current Managing Director of ERC, Jonathan played a crucial role in navigating the successful buyout of a previous ERC Director in 2017, to help form the current management and ownership structure of ERC. As a shareholder of ERC since it’s inception in 2013, and as well as contributing to the expanse of ERC’s environmental consulting services, Jonathan led the diversification of ERC’s services further to become a respected and recognised provider of asbestos management and remediation consultancy services to both the public and private sector. As part of this diversification, ERC was awarded back to back government contracts for the management and remediation of asbestos across a large and diverse building portfolio.

 

Prior to the founding of ERC from its Engtech roots and in a senior position at Engtech between 2008 and 2013, Jonathan assisted his now business partner, Michael Wright, in building the company’s client base, profile within the industry and amongst peers, and technical ability to complete complex and challenging contaminated site and remediation projects in a cost-effective, efficient and scientifically sound manner. During his career at Engtech, Jonathan delivered many successful projects to satisfied clients including the design and development of remediation systems for hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater, preliminary and detailed site and risk assessment to facilitate contaminated site re-classifications and beneficial site re-use/re-development, in-situ management of asbestos and asbestos contaminated soils, bushfire recovery remediation and site validation, and incident clean-up and emergency response.

 

Between 2005 and 2008 Jonathan rose from junior to senior positions at two multinational consultancies, URS (now AECOM) in Melbourne, and subsequently RPS in Perth. Jonathan played a key team role at both firms, in the delivery of long-term contract contaminated site and environmental projects for three global oil companies.

 

Jonathan’s career commenced in the UK in 2003 as a graduate engineering geologist, delivering ground engineering, landfill gas and environmental solutions to residential and commercial developers, before emigrating to Australia in 2005 under sponsorship.

 

Outside of the office, Jonathan enjoys cycling, travel, and is an avid kite surfer and surfer, which contributed to his motivation to emigrate to Australia from the UK.

Michael is an experienced environmental consultant and OHS practitioner with a demonstrated history of project innovation, problem solving and success spanning over 22 years. Michael’s specialist areas of expertise include hydrogeology, geology, asbestos, logistically challenging projects, remote/difficult access solutions, natural disaster recovery, OHS and hydrocarbon contamination.

 

Michael co-founded ERC in 2013 with the Director of Engtech. Under his leadership and technical direction, ERC saw a significant expanse of its services and client base from its Engtech roots, to provide a full range of environmental consulting and natural disaster recovery services to a diverse and loyal client base. Prior to forming ERC, Michael was appointed Environmental Manager at Engtech in 2007 with immediate and long-term success. At the time, Engtech practiced contaminated sites for a niche area of the petroleum industry and Michael’s proactive and enthusiastic day to day business personality went a long way to helping achieve success for Engtech, in what was a very unique and dynamic business model, one which ERC has continued to the current day. In less than six years at Engtech, Michael’s environment division tripled its turnover, hired key staff, established new business sectors, and upgraded systems with further innovation and stability.

 

As a Director of ERC since its inception, Michael has gained recognition as an industry leader in the design and implementation of regional scale clean-up and recovery projects in the immediate aftermath of major natural disasters such as bushfires. Michael helped develop the current day approach to bushfire disaster clean-ups in Western Australia in conjunction with senior environmental health experts formerly of the WA Department of Health. Of most significance and under Michael’s lead, ERC delivered one of WA’s largest disaster recovery projects following the devastating bushfire that destroyed the town of Yarloop and surrounding areas in 2016.

 

Between 1998 and 2007, Michael gained valuable experience in mining hydrogeology at Rockwater as a graduate, and later building his knowledge base in contaminated sites, asbestos, environmental management and HSE management to a senior level, as both an environmental consultant and HSE manager at URS’ Perth office (now AECOM), a large multinational consultancy which provide environmental, engineering and project management services.