This month, we are celebrating Director, Luke Walton’s 10-year anniversary at Environet. As he’s the second team member to achieve this accolade – we decided to put him in the same hot seat as Mat and ask him to reflect on the last decade at Environet.

What initially attracted you to join Environet, and how has your role changed over the past decade? 

I wanted to work in environmental consultancy and enjoyed seeing through our projects with a small, dedicated team. When I initially joined, we were involved at all stages of the business, but over the past decade the company has grown meaning we’ve moved away from a regional approach to a departmental one. My experience across different functions of the business has enabled me to understand all the working parts, meaning that as Contracts Director I can now determine clients’ needs and deliver them as required.

What do you enjoy most about your role, the culture and working at Environet? 

I enjoy the variability of the role and having the opportunity to put into action what I have learned in the past 10 years. I also enjoy seeing others progress in their own roles and develop their careers.

What has been your most memorable moment / project over the past 10 years with the company?  

My most memorable project was removing the knotweed in a housing development in Surrey. I first surveyed the site in 2018 and was struck by how much knotweed was spread across the site. Initially the client only wanted to keep it under control while applying for planning. However, over time we developed the scope of work, getting the site to a state where it was bought by another developer when planning was achieved. I was then able to work with the new developer finalising the full knotweed remediation plan – allowing the houses to start going up. It is great after so long to see the site being used for its intended purpose.

Which achievements are you most proud of during the past 10 years? 

I’m proud of the part I’ve played in the progression of the company in terms of the growth of the staff but also in the growth of the work we undertake. The company has changed a lot of the last 10 years reflecting the demands of the market. We have been at the forefront of quite a lot of the change, and this has given us new opportunities to learn and develop.

How do you think the industry has changed during your time with the company? 

I think there is now a much greater awareness of invasive plants in general outside of Japanese knotweed. When I first started the industry was pretty much focused on Japanese knotweed, but over the past few years there has been a recognition that a plant doesn’t need to be on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) to be invasive or cause problems. The industry already had the skillset to deal with these plants and has been able to quickly adapt to new challenges, like bamboo.

How have you seen the business change over 10 years, and what aspects have remained consistent? 

In the last 10 years, we’ve tripled our turnover – and our headcount and we’ve also transitioned to be a 100% employee-owned business. With the reigns now passed from our founder Nic to a new generation of invasive plant experts, we’re at an exciting time in our journey! What hasn’t changed is our dedication to eco-innovation, sustainability – and most of all, a job well done for our customers.  

If you were to give your younger self some advice at the start of your Environet journey, what would it be? 

You have two ears and one mouth.  

Can you tell us about one of the biggest challenges you’ve had to face and how you overcame it?

A challenge I have taken on in my time at Environet has been developing into the Director role I now hold. It has been a learning experience, but one I enjoy immensely. I appreciated the mentorship of our founder Nic Seal and others in the company who have supported me in this.

Where do you see yourself and Environet in 10 years’ time? 

I see myself getting into some new sports.  

I see Environet further developing current and new colleagues as experts in the field and being able to deliver on client’s requirements.   

What new projects or initiatives are you excited to take on in the coming year? 

As I head up R&D – that one is secret….!