Rossa Donovan

Skills

Environmental science expertise, sustainability strategy, ecology and biodiversity, climate resilience, nature‑related risk, environmental governance, carbon literacy, GIS and environmental data, applied environmental practice, capability development, professional mentoring, technical leadership, stakeholder engagement, industry collaboration, environmental assessment, environmental management, strategic planning, team leadership, communication and influencing, research‑informed practice, project oversight, quality assurance, problem‑solving, innovation in environmental practice

About

I am an experienced environmental and sustainability leader with over 25 years’ expertise spanning ecology, environmental science, climate resilience, biodiversity, nature strategy and environmental governance. With a PhD in Environmental Science and Chartered Ecologist status, I bring deep subject‑matter knowledge and a strong track record of leading specialist teams, developing capability and translating complex science into practical, applied learning.

Across senior roles at Bureau Veritas, Nature Positive, Network Rail, WSP and WYG, I have led multidisciplinary environmental teams, strengthened technical standards, mentored early‑career professionals and delivered high‑quality environmental programmes across major infrastructure and regulated environments. My experience includes developing environmental competence frameworks, delivering sustainability training, advising on nature‑related risk, and supporting organisations to embed sustainability into decision‑making.

I have contributed to academic–industry collaboration, including supporting the establishment of the University of Birmingham’s Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR), a long‑term real‑world laboratory exploring the effects of elevated CO₂ on forest ecosystems. I am passionate about applied environmental science, capability development and preparing learners for future green careers.

I bring strong leadership, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to inspiring students and colleagues through real‑world environmental insight, industry relevance and a deep understanding of emerging sustainability trends.