Event overview
Watch the event recording here
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The North American market for environmental consulting services remains the largest single market, but many factors conspire to change the competitive landscape in the 2020s. New administrations and policy changes are key influences, but the industry is fundamentally less connected to the regulatory compliance apparatus, and more connected to the economic prospects of its key client sectors.
A review of the sector, and panel discussion on what to expect for the rest of the decade, will be led by Grant Ferrier, CEO of Environmental Business International.
Topics to be discussed include:
- Technology and how digitalization of project management and environmental data will impact environmental services
- Consolidation and merger & acquisition activity and the continuing business maturity of the sector and the investment community
- Carbon neutrality pledges and climate resilience strategies and how environmental consulting firms are positioning themselves for work with private companies and government entities
Chair:
- Grant Ferrier, CEO, Environmental Business International
Panellists:
- Kathleen M. Abbott, President Environment, Arcadis
- Susan Angyal, CEO North America, ERM
- Joseph J. Fluder III, CEO, President & Director, SWCA Environmental Consultants
- Peter Skinner, Chief Operating Officer, SLR Consulting
This panel discussion is taking place at 5pm UK / 12pm ET / 9am PT and will last for 90 minutes.
The panel will be preceded by an exclusive North American Business Leaders Forum. To apply to attend this forum please email julian@environment-analyst.com.
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Meet the speakers:
Grant Ferrier, CEO, Environmental Business International
Grant Ferrier is President of Environmental Business International Inc. and Editor of Environmental Business Journal. EBJ has been published since 1988. EBI is a leading provider of environmental and climate change industry market intelligence. EBI publishes a series of market research reports and quarterly datasets on segments of the environmental industry, and conducts market research and management consulting projects for private companies, investors, analysts and government agencies. Mr. Ferrier has served on the board of directors of five different corporations and three non-profit entities, and has advised investors, buyers and sellers on environmental industry transactions.
Kathleen M. Abbott, President Environment, Arcadis
Kathleen Abbott, P.G., is the President of Arcadis’ U.S. Environment Business line. She leads a team of more than 2,700 professionals dedicated to helping clients in both public and private sectors maximize limited resources, mitigate environmental impacts and build a sustainable future for the people they serve.
Previously, Kathleen served as Executive Vice President and Director of Client Development and Technical Solutions for the Environment Business Line. In this role, she developed a strategy concentrated on investing in client focus, harnessing technical and digital innovation, and fostering a people-first culture. Kathleen began her career with Arcadis as a field geologist, developing a passion for working closely with clients in roles in the power and utilities and oil and gas market sectors. She chairs the Bellevue Foundation, representing Arcadis employees at the highest level of corporate governance.
Kathleen holds a B.A. in Geology from Macalester College and a M.A. in Earth and Planetary Sciences from Washington University (St. Louis). She is based in San Rafael, California.
Susan Angyal, CEO North America, ERM
Susan Angyal was appointed ERM’s Regional CEO for North America in June 2020. She believes that a company can achieve success most readily when its people are inspired by a shared vision for a better, more sustainable future.
A chemical engineer by background, she brings more than 26 years’ experience in the environmental consulting and regulatory fields – 15 of which have been at ERM. Susan quickly proved herself as a leader at ERM in the area of Air Quality and Climate Change, then directed a Learning & Development program to foster future leaders. More recently, she assumed operational leadership roles, including that of the Chief Operating Officer for the North America business.
Prior to joining ERM, Susan worked as a consultant to the US EPA developing regulations for the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. This role complemented her earlier experience as an environmental consultant addressing Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Superfund challenges for her clients.
Outside of work, Susan enjoys cooking and all manner of outdoor recreation – particularly, hiking, running and biking.
Joseph J. Fluder III, CEO, President & Director, SWCA Environmental Consultants
As SWCA's Chief Executive Officer and President, Joseph is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the company by working with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team to promote the company North Start and Core Values while developing long-range business goals and strategies that result in an amazing culture and strong performance and growth.
Joseph joined SWCA in early 2003 as a water resources and GIS specialist in the company's Albuquerque office. Since that time, he's held a variety of technical and leadership positions, previously serving as Chief Operating Officer from 201147-2017. In addition to having extensive experience in project management and business development, Joseph has a strong background in human-induced environmental change, particularly in riparian, grassland, and forested areas. He also is an expert in the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, watershed management, and habitat restoration.
He holds a bachelor's degree in environmental geography from Illinois State University and a master's degree in geography from the University of New Mexico. He taught geography, GIS, and earth science courses at the University of New Mexico (2000-2005) and spent time working in the trucking industry in Chicago.
Peter Skinner, Chief Operating Officer, SLR Consulting
Peter is the Chief Operating Officer for SLR which consists of 1,500 consultants that undertake a diverse range of projects. Peter has worked in a wide range of market sectors mainly in geotechnical and geo-environmental engineering and in the assessment and remediation of contaminated land, as well as managing multidisciplinary environmental projects such as environmental and social impact assessments and their associated disciplines.
SLR is one of the largest pure play environment businesses and has an exceptional track record in delivering projects in a wide range of market sectors.
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Don't forget to also register for Environment Analyst's Global Business Summit 2021 - From Crisis to Opportunity: The Decisive Decade, which is taking place this June and will further discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead for the industry, and how ESG and sustainability are shaping the market.
