Ian is the Marine Directorate Project Manager with EGCP Ltd. helping to increase awareness of coastal issues and seek solutions, aiding the delivery of Integrated Coastal Zone Management, and promoting a thriving environment for both people and wildlife. 

Since leaving University he has managed a large landfill site, volunteered for SEPA and been Aberdeen’s Mr. Clean and Green. He took his present position with EGCP in June 2005.

Although his father was born in Shetland, Ian was brought up much further South near Hull where the coast is largely comprised of areas of mud. His grandfather was in the Merchant Navy and his brother is an auxiliary coastguard.

Ian enjoys walking, wildlife watching and mountain biking and has held a number of exhibitions of photography with articles and photographs in BBC Wildlife, Birdwatching and Scotland Outdoors. 

His favourite place on the East Grampian coast is the very Northern end of St Cyrus Bay. Most people stop before they reach the rock pools but there are wonderful views, a stunning waterfall and lots of wildlife to see as well. Fowlsheugh, Aberdeen Harbour and the Ythan Estuary are close behind!

Lauren grew up in what could be described as an urban jungle, in West Bromwich. During that time she was fortunate to spend some school holiday time on the coasts of South West England and North Wales, where she would spend as much time as possible rockpooling, an activity that really kick-started Lauren's fascination with the marine environment.

Lauren went on to graduate from Plymouth University having studied Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology and then moved up to Aberdeen to complete a PhD in Marine Biology specialising in shark research. Since then Lauren has worked in a variety of positions related to the marine environment including; research scientist, aquarist, scuba diving instructor and marine licensing officer. Being a keen diver, photographer and surfer she spends a lot of her spare time at the coast, usually on or under the water!

An active volunteer for the British Divers Marine Life Rescue and Surfers Against Sewage charities, she has collaborated on beach cleans previously with the TTPT project and is excited to now be a part of EGCP in the role of beach and marine litter officer.

Lauren’s passion for conservation started in South Yorkshire with the Peak District just on her doorstep! Volunteering from her late teens to present with a variety of conservation organisations has focussed her conservation career. She has explored much of the UK before calling Aberdeenshire her home. 

She graduated from Aberystwyth University in 2021 with a Bsc degree in Countryside Conservation alongside taking on a full year's National Trust ranger work placement in Mathry, North Pembrokeshire. She wasn’t finished in Pembrokeshire as she returned after university to a jam packed seasonal ranger job during summer 2021 with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. 

At University she was president of Aberystwyth Conservation Volunteers society and her passion for organisation and reaching out to communities hasn’t stopped. She can now be found helping the Action for Climate and Environment Group in Newburgh and is also a frequent volunteer with the Haddo Ranger team. She enjoys developing organic connections in the community and getting to know new people and places.

Her recent practical work interests include developing tree surgery experience and she does this with local tree surgeons in the area when she isn’t at a beach or event. With a background in RSPB fundraising, event organisation, community and tourism engagement, she is excited to support the TTPT project.