EPR’s Founder Phil Colebourn
EPR was founded in 1989 by Phil Colebourn.
Phil’s career in nature conservation exceeded half a century, and in that time, he made a profoundly positive impact on both the cause of nature conservation in the UK and the people who work towards its advancement.
Phil began his ecology career in 1963, working for the Nature Conservancy studying Breckland invertebrates. Between 1975 and 1989, he was Hampshire County Planning Ecologist and initiated the Hampshire Countryside Heritage Programme and Report series. This work led to the original designation of Countryside Heritage Sites (the precursor to SINCs) in Hampshire, and the initiation of the first Ancient Woodland Inventory in the County, for which purpose Phil surveyed over 2,000 woods. The Hampshire Countryside Heritage Programme initiated by Phil had enduring benefits for nature that can still be detected on the ground to this day, with studies of chalk grassland in the South Downs having shown that Locally designated sites in Hampshire are on average in markedly better condition than elsewhere in the South Downs, with much of the difference being attributed to the surveys, landowner support and monitoring originally established by Phil.
Phil founded EPR in 1989, at around the same time that he co-authored ‘Britain’s Countryside Heritage: A Guide to the Landscape’ (1990) for the National Trust. In 1991 he became a Founder Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) – later serving twice on its Governing Board and once on its External Affairs Committee.
Phil was a pioneer in the techniques of ‘historical ecology’ or – as he sometimes called it – ‘archaeochartology’, which he taught to EPR colleagues and which to this day exemplifies our unique approach to project work. The process helps identify relict fragments of ancient biodiversity-rich habitat hidden in the landscape, so these can be protected, restored and used to best advantage to deliver biodiversity benefits. EPR’s early ‘signature’ projects under Phil’s leadership included studies examining the potential for the restoration of conservation grazing at Burnham Beeches and Hainhault Forest; a report on the vegetation, flora and landscape history of Ranscombe Farm in Kent (now Plantlife’s flagship nature reserve) and the vegetation mapping of Chichester Harbour. Phil’s work on ancient woodlands led to his own publication in British Wildlife but was also acknowledged by the late Dr Francis Rose in that same publication, as a key contribution toward his practice-defining article Indicators of Ancient Woodland: The Use of Vascular Plants in Evaluating Ancient Woods for Nature Conservation (1999).
Under Phil’s guidance, EPR has grown steadily and now directly employs around 40 staff across England, plus a large network of trusted specialist subcontractors. We collectively provide ecological support for some of the most significant individual development and nature conservation projects in the UK. Since its inception, the company has successfully delivered over 4 square miles of new or restored habitats across its project portfolio, including many Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces (SANGs), nature reserves and other habitat restoration projects, in conjunction with hundreds of thousands of new homes and other major infrastructure projects.
During his time with EPR, Phil gave evidence as an expert witness in ecology and nature conservation to over 50 Public Inquiries, helped develop a revolutionary new fish screen (‘Eco Screen’) to prevent fish and elver mortality at water abstraction points, and provided ecological evidence to landmark High Court cases that established patterns of practice for years. Phil also practiced what he preached – keeping a herd of Dexter cattle to graze grasslands around his home, to realise benefits for botanical diversity and butterfly conservation. This had synergies with his past service as Vice-Chairman of the Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons Advisory Committee, advising the National Trust on the care of these Nationally important limestone grasslands.
Of all of Phil’s many incredible contributions to nature conservation, which are far too numerous to detail in full, perhaps the most important is the investment he made in nurturing, developing and encouraging his colleagues and friends. Phil was generous with his time, his expertise and his deep knowledge; supportive and compassionate in his dealings with people, gentle when correcting error, and wise in his counsel. Over the years, he mentored hundreds of new and developing ecologists – many of whom went on to found their own consultancies or moved into NGOs, the Public Sector or academia. The full impact of Phil’s life and career therefore cannot be measured and will not be fully realised until all those individuals, armed with the tools and sense of purpose that Phil gave them, have completed their own work.
Phil believed passionately that development and planning could – and indeed must – be a force for good for nature conservation, that in turn brings benefits for human wellbeing and happiness. He showed us how to harness the opportunities for change and education that development creates, and how best to channel the funding, enthusiasm and sense of purpose that it brings, into delivering a better and more sustainable future for us all.
Phil was Managing Director of EPR from its founding in 1989 up until 2013, when he became EPR’s Chairman following the appointment of a new Board of Directors, as part of a management buyout related to EPR’s growth and succession plans. Phil very sadly passed away in July 2025.
