Naturally Wild joins Ecus – Ecus flourishing as growth continues

21st December 2022

The acquisition strengthens Ecus’s range of Environmental and Ecological services.

Environmental Consultancy, Ecus is delighted to announce its acquisition of Naturally Wild.

The deal was completed on 20 December 2022 and means that Naturally Wild becomes part of the wider Cura Terrae group of environmental consultancy and service providers.

As this exciting growth period continues, the acquisition of Naturally Wild will add to Ecus’s teams around the UK. Naturally Wild is based in Stockton-on-Tees and will work alongside our existing teams in Sheffield, Basingstoke, Birmingham, Barnard Castle, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, and Manchester.

This grows Ecus’s team nationally to around 180 employees.

Naturally Wild was established in 1998 and over the last 24 years Graeme Skinner, Managing Director, and his team have built a company based on ethical values, expert knowledge, and a passion for the environment.

Naturally Wild delivers environmental services across the UK such as ecology, habitat creation, and protected species licensing for UK infrastructure and development, which closely aligns with Ecus’s own offerings to clients.

Graeme Skinner, Managing Director of Naturally Wild comments, “Naturally Wild’s approach has been to deliver high-quality services along with openness and integrity. We look forward to building on our successes in the next chapter with Ecus, which will help our teams continue to deliver great outcomes for our clients.

We have delivered a variety of exciting projects across the country - with badger work in Gloucester, BREAAM work in Cornwall, newt work in Teesside and Wiltshire, reptiles in Dorset, and bat work across the UK.”

Kit Hawkins, Managing Director of Ecus, adds, "I’m delighted to welcome Naturally Wild into the Ecus family, which marks another significant step in Ecus’s journey.  The Naturally Wild team brings further quality and expertise and ensures that our resources continue to grow, allowing us to deliver our industry-leading services to our expanding client base.

I’m looking forward to working closely with Graeme and the team, as we continue to build our offering both nationally and in the North East.  Following our acquisition of Northern Archaeological Associates last year, we now have a significant presence in the region, which will enable us to continue to support nationally significant infrastructure and sustainable development for years to come.

Our growth is a reflection of the skill and commitment of our highly competent and motivated colleagues, who make us who we are, and it serves to provide further assurance to our clients who can expect the highest standard of work.”

CEO of Cura Terrae, Professor Peter Skipworth comments, “Naturally Wild is an invaluable addition to our family tree, as societal concern grows around recognising and preserving natural capital and mitigating the biodiversity crisis. The acquisition aligns perfectly with our goal of protecting our planet as we remain a bridge between industry, infrastructure, and the environment, priming us to continue to meet and exceed client expectations.”

Cura Terrae is backed by investment from Palatine Private Equity’s Impact Fund, whose long-term commitment to placing purpose and responsibility at the heart of its investment strategy aligns perfectly with Cura Terrae’s shared mission to protect the environment. This acquisition was also supported by committed acquisition facilities from Shawbrook Bank, and Ecus were advised by Megan Atack, Andy Francey and team in the Leeds office of Freeths LLP.

Advising the shareholders of Naturally Wild were Carl Swansbury and Adam Tindale of RG Corporate Finance, with legal advice from Pepperells Solicitors and accounting and tax advice from Waltons Clark Whitehill.

Carl Swansbury, Partner and Head of Corporate Finance at RG Corporate Finance said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Naturally Wild to be part of a stronger, well-resourced group and to not only continue, but to expand the important environmental work it undertakes.  This is an important sector that has a major role to play as the country and its economy strike the right balance between delivering growth and new opportunities and protecting our environment. I wish Graeme and the rest of the Naturally Wild team all of the very best for the future as part of Cura Terrae.”