On the move: the latest East Midlands hires

Nottingham-based environmental consultancy, EMEC has announced the appointment of Steve Alton as a strategic ecologist.

With a BSc (Hons) in Biology and recognition as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, Alton has spent over three decades shaping conservation landscapes across the UK, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in biodiversity and conservation.

His career has included roles such as county conservation officer for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, UK Programme Lead for Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank Project and conservation officer at Ashdown Forest in Sussex.

He has also advised on habitat creation for the renewable energy sector and co-managed a wildflower seed company with his wife.

In his new role at EMEC, Alton will be advising Network Rail’s Eastern Region Biodiversity Framework on how to manage its trackside land to ensure Biodiversity Net Gain compliance.

Alton said: “Rejoining Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and EMEC felt like a golden opportunity to contribute to conservation in the region where my career began.”

Dr Ed Tripp, consultancy director at EMEC said: “EMEC Ecology is thrilled to welcome Steve to the team. We are confident that his extensive knowledge and passion for biodiversity will be invaluable in advancing the conservation goals of our business and those of our clients.”

Global engineering firm, BGB, has strengthened its offering by welcoming back Dr Ben Murphy as head of product development.

Joining the Grantham-based team as head of product development, Murphy will lead the advancement of the business’ Fibre Optic Rotary Joint (FORJ) product range while also overseeing the firm’s product roadmap.

He first joined the business in 2018 as a research and development engineer, specialising in FORJ; a device that allows for the high-speed data transfer of optical signals in a variety of applications, from wind turbines and cable reels to manufacturing equipment and drones.

Ben Murphy

Returning to the firm and bringing experience in automotive, yellow goods and agri-tech as well as academic and commercial research, he aims to help address the possible future market challenges faced by BGB’s customers.

He also seeks to extend BGB’s technological capabilities to deliver robust industrial solutions across a range of sectors from energy and construction to utilities and transport.

Murphy said: “I’m pleased to be back at BGB, heading up product development is central to the next stage of the business’ evolution. BGB’s engineering credentials are enviable. In a small team, we have over 60 years of experience in product development, multiple degrees up to PhD level and experience across multiple sectors from academia and research right through to manufacturing. To rejoin this team is a hugely exciting prospect, and I’ve already got plans to extend our FORJ product range and capabilities to serve our customers’ needs to send and receive increasing amounts of lossless, secure data and improve operational efficiency.

“I’m also grateful to the team for their continued support, even during my time away from the firm. The family culture here at BGB is what makes us stand out and, alongside the opportunities on offer, really encouraged me to return. This ethos has helped us build several long-lasting relationships, not only within our own team but also with collaborators and customers – many of whom have been with us for decades. I’m thrilled to be rejoining such a welcoming team that prides itself on continual innovation and quality customer service.”

David Holt, chief executive officer at BGB, said: “We’re pleased to have Ben back at BGB, where he’ll play a critical role in advancing our product roadmap. We’ve kept in touch over the years, as we do with many of our former teammates, and were pleased to be able to tempt back such a talented figure to lead this next step in the business’ trajectory.

“Ben’s skill and experience is hugely valuable, and his hands-on customer approach aligns perfectly with how we like to deliver our services. His decision to return to BGB, after a brief hiatus, demonstrates the importance of investing in your team and keeping in touch with gifted former employees; a career pathway that’s a testament to the strong culture here at BGB.”