Our Approach
WKC was founded in 2009 by environmental chemists Tristan Coleman and Dr. Ian James. Originally offering technically focussed, environmental consultancy work predominantly to the Middle Eastern oil & gas sector, the company has since grown into new markets and services.
But the fundamental approach remains the same; a diligent, science-based approach, treating each project with humility and an opportunity to grow.
How We Operate
WKC is a management-owned business
WKC operates a best-in-class Partnership model that reinforces collaboration between offices and incentivises long-term value creation within the business.
The WKC Executive Team develop the overall Company Strategy and are responsible for driving it’s success.
The Leadership Team is our senior management layer that oversees various operational and technical business functions, all of which are critical for and contribute to delivering the Company Strategy.
Values
“We believe in the technical robustness of our work, in open and honest collaboration with colleagues and clients, and the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to find solutions.”
Executive Team
Tristan Coleman
Co-founder
& Chief Executive
Dr. Ian James
Co-founder
& Advisor
Greg Ashcroft
Managing Director
General Manager – UAE
Marc Blanché
Technical Director
General Manager – RSA
Richard Palmer
Partner
General Manager – KSA
Leadership Team
Donald Afan
Partner
General Manager – Abu Dhabi
Shivani Govender
Partner
EIA/Permitting Lead – Abu Dhabi
Ashley Meyer
Partner
Air Quality Lead – RSA
Glen Bueser
Partner
General Manager – Philippines
Sean Graham
Principal Consultant
Noise Lead – UK
The WKC Story.. So far
2009
British expats and environmental chemists, Tristan Coleman and Ian James, established WardKarlson Consulting with startup offices in Abu Dhabi and South Africa.
2010
Marc Blanché and Richard Palmer, now RSA and KSA General Managers respectively, were hired for their air quality, noise and EIA expertise.
2011
Greg Ashcroft, now a WKC Director and General Manager of the UAE, started as a junior consultant with an interest in hydrodynamic sciences.
2012
WKC’s branding was updated, with the name simplified to it’s abbreviated version, ‘WKC’.
2015
WKC opened their UK office in London.
2017
WKC’s second UAE office was opened in Dubai, adding terrestrial and marine ecology to their growing list of technical services.
2017
WKC became the UK distributors for the world-renowned acoustics software system, SoundPLAN.
2019
On their 10-year anniversary ‘Onwards and Upwards!’ was published, a personal account of the WKC success story to date.
2021
WKC underwent corporate restructuring, establishing their best-in-class partnership scheme to attract and reward key talent.
2023
WKC’s first Philippines office was opened in Manila.
2024
WKC’s Saudi Arabian office opened in Al Khobar.
2024
WKC became official partners of The Arctic Ocean Challenge, an expedition helping to inspire a new generation towards environmental causes.
2025
WKC's Sustainability Centre of Excellence opened in Gothenburg, Sweden.
