Ross McGregor has joined Macarthur Green’s offshore team as Principal Ornithologist.
Ross comes from HiDef Aerial Surveying Limited where he was an Associate Director, leading the offshore consultancy team. With more than ten years’ experience working in offshore renewables as an ornithologist, both as a consultant and statutory advisor, Ross brings a wealth of knowledge to the offshore team at MacArthur Green.
David MacArthur, Director said, “I’m delighted to have Ross on board at such an important time in the offshore wind sector. Ross joins Prof Bob Furness, Dr Mark Trinder, Rafe Dewar, Dr Nicola Goodship and Prof Jason Matthiopoulos, and will make an invaluable addition to our team, particularly with the exciting opportunities that Scotwind presents.”
Ross has worked on all phases of offshore wind farm development, from assessing relative risks across Draft Plan Options to impact assessment for decommissioning of turbines. He has particularly focussed on Collision Risk Modelling, having been on the steering group of the first offshore CRM, and having managed the production of the latest stochastic CRM for Marine Scotland.
Ross has supported clients through stakeholder engagement, from pre-scoping discussions, through consenting to Judicial Review. He has provided advice on a wide variety of sites in the UK and France, from Moray East in the north of Scotland to St Nazaire in the Bay of Biscay, France.
In addition to working for wind farm developers, Ross also has experience working for statutory nature conservation bodies, local authorities, harbour authorities and the Scottish Government. Projects have ranged from analysis of bird distributions to advise on protect area boundaries, to bespoke tools for assessing impact and review and advice on designated sites.
Ross said, “I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues at MacArthur Green. Together we can tackle the upcoming challenges that new offshore wind rounds in the UK will without a doubt bring. While we may be going in to a new phase of offshore wind development in the UK with a wealth of knowledge gained from the last round, new challenges will occur and MacArthur Green has a strong reputation in addressing those challenges for their clients.
I am particularly excited to be starting with a carbon negative company, showing the way forward for our post-pandemic futures”.
Prior to working in the renewables industry Ross worked in academia in the United States. As a postdoctoral researcher at Virginia Tech, he was instrumental in bringing a Decision Support System (“DSS”) to delivery. At Florida State University, Ross was a post-doctoral researcher on an Office of Naval Research project studying the energetics of locomotion of North Atlantic right whales. He gained his PhD in Zoology from the University of St Andrews in 2006.
To get in touch with Ross, please drop him a line on ross.mcgregor@macarthurgreen.com or give him a call on 0141 342 5404.