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Conserve (environmental consultancy) Ltd
Specialists in countryside access and upland path solutions
Company Profile
Established in 1992 by Chris Cairns, the company has developed a reputation for high quality path construction in some of the most sensitive areas of Scotland, including the Cairngorms and Ben Nevis. Specialising in combating path erosion in protected environmental areas, Conserve provides both hand built and machine built paths, as well as the reinstatement work associated with the path erosion.
In 2004 the company focused on its strengths and experience to develop the Path Survey, Project Management and Consultancy side of the business. A contracts manager and consultant have joined Chris in the management team, supported by a specialist team of contractors who ensure that a full range of service options are available to clients.
Clients range from the Agencies, Trusts, Local Authorities and Enterprise Companies to Community Groups and even individuals for the more specialist work. Whilst the focus has been in Scotland, new projects will be undertaken anywhere in the UK.
The Core Business Services now offered by Conserve (environmental consultancy) Ltd provide a one stop shop in path work solutions, and include:
Conserve will be able to customise any of the above services to meet your needs.
Management Team Profile
Chris Cairns, Managing Director
Chris has been a Seasonal Ranger with the National Trust for Scotland and a path worker with Pathcraft Ltd. In 1992 he established Conserve (Environmental Contractors) to carry out high-quality work to combat footpath erosion in a sensitive areas. Conserve carried out footpath construction work throughout Scotland including Glen Sligachan, Mar Lodge and Cairngorm. In 2000 Chris switched the emphasis of the company from practical path construction work to focus on project management and consultancy, with Conserve currently managing high profile projects at Ben Nevis, Cairngorm, Lochnagar and in Assynt. He has managed contracts and provided survey reports, inspection audits and specifications for the major Agencies, Local Authorities and Trusts throughout Scotland.
Since April 2002 when Chris was appointed in his capacity of consultant to take on the day-to-day management of the East Schiehallion Project by the John Muir Trust, he has been providing a long term development and management plan for this fragile upland path. The standard of work has been exceptional, involving the training of volunteers to help restore and manage the damaged mountain routes and the immediate environment that lead to the summit.
In 2004 the company became a Limited Company. Chris has developed a network of high quality path contractors and specialists on which to call when completing projects. All have proved their credentials to produce results on time and to exacting specification. With this flexibility, the business is continuing to grow and the client base to expand into new areas such as the development of specialist mountain bike trails, GIS and Core Path Network audits to meet the needs of the new Land Reform (Scotland) Access Legislation.
David Andrews, MSc., MRICS, Consultant
David joined Ordnance Survey as a surveyor in 1972 where he worked for 27 years. During that time he completed mapping surveys in England, Wales and Scotland, worked as a planner, in Marketing and Research and Development where he was seconded as a consultant to Hampshire County Council before becoming Chief surveyor responsible for the surveyors mapping the North of Scotland and representing OS in legal boundary dispute cases in Scotland. He has an HND in surveying, a Masters Degree in GIS at Edinburgh, and is a Chartered Land Surveyor.
On leaving OS in 1999 after 27 years, he set up his own consultancy, specialising in survey and GIS services, before joining The Highland Council as Senior Countryside Access project officer in 2002. As Project Manager David led a team of access officers in the 3 year, £1.2m path improvement programme throughout the Highlands. On completion of the contract he joined the Inverness City Partnership as the Green Space Partnership Officer to develop a strategy for the development and protection of green spaces in and around the city.
David has joined Conserve to add his specialist access, project management and survey GIS consultancy experience, and to develop the Core Business Services and providing the company's marketing, IT and communications strategy.
Ross McGowan, Contracts Manager
Having worked for Conserve in the specialist team of path builders and having developed skills in all aspects of path construction, Ross was recently appointed as Contracts Manager, whilst also providing technical support to Chris on project specification and inspection tasks.
Ross manages the team of specialist that work almost exclusively for Conserve. His practical skills are diverse, including all the necessary tickets for machines and equipment used in path work. Site management with the project team and contractors is just one of his roles, as Ross is increasingly becoming engaged in the contract management, path design and specification work.
Conserve is supported by its own specialist work force, and a network of contractors that have all proved their ability to deliver quality results on time and set the high standards now expected by clients and users.
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