Thomas Oliver
“Thomas currently serves as the Environmental Specialist at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), a department of the UK Government. He is responsible for assessing the environmental impacts of nationally significant energy infrastructure projects and policies in the United Kingdom, ultimately providing advice to the Secretary of State and senior ministers. Thomas has also provided insights from this work to members of the House of Lords and the National Infrastructure Commission.
Prior to joining the Civil Service, Thomas held roles as an environmental planner in Oxfordshire. He was responsible for developing environmental policy at both local and regional levels, as well as contributing to major initiatives, including the drafting of the Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy and frameworks for the then emerging Biodiversity Net Gain mechanism. Thomas has also held ecological research roles in universities and international NGOs.
Outside of his professional capacities, Thomas conducts research primarily focused on the intersection between behavioural ecology and the built environment, particularly in the context of infrastructure design and development. At present, he is undertaking research in association with the University of Oxford into the extent and manner in which artificial wildlife refuges are incorporated within infrastructure developments in England.
Thomas also holds voluntary positions with the BTO as a Regional Representative, the RSPB as a GIS and Survey Coordinator, and with ORCA as a Marine Mammal Surveyor.
Thomas was selected as a Young Leader by the BTO and as a Young Voice for Nature by the RSPB, WWF-UK, and National Trust in 2023.
He holds an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management, which he read as a King Henry VIII Endowed Scholar at Christ Church, University of Oxford.”