Global sustainable development consultancy Arup has announced the appointment of Tom Butterworth as Regional Nature Director. He will spearhead the firm’s continued drive to create, restore and enhance nature through working with private and public sector clients in the UK, India, Middle East and Africa region.
Joining Arup from his previous role as Head of Ecology at WSP, Butterworth will continue to bring to the fore and grow the firm’s integrated biodiversity, land, soil, water and air services and related data and digital solutions, to help meet the growing demand for nature related services from organisations needing to respond to new reporting frameworks such as the Task Force for Nature Related Disclosures (TNFD), new policy such as Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and the growing recognition of the dependencies, risks and opportunities associated with nature in their investments and supply chains.
Tom Butterworth, Regional Nature Director, Arup says: “The nature agenda is moving very quickly and it’s imperative we’re in the best possible position to help our clients manage the risks and integrate nature positive strategies into business investment, plans and operations. Businesses that thrive in the 21st century will be those that take nature to the heart of all they do.”
Now working with Arup’s clients across a broad range of sectors, Butterworth will leverage his 27 years’ experience in biodiversity policy development, natural capital and strategy implementation. His expertise in the field has seen his previous and ongoing leadership of major projects and initiatives, including his role as UK representative within the International Standards Organisation to develop an international biodiversity net gain (BNG) standard.
Diane Emerson, Climate & Sustainability Services Leader, UKIMEA, Arup says:
“The addition of Tom’s experience and insight to our teams of economists, ecologists, digital specialists and other specialist environmental experts, will help us to drive more positive and regenerative solutions at scale and pace, with even greater capacity to help clients unlock green finance mechanisms to deliver positive outcomes for nature, communities and business. The nature and climate crises are inextricably linked – it’s important we address both as we accelerate net zero journeys, increase resilience and create a more equitable society.”
