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A New Chapter for WKC Philippines
by Tristan Coleman – Co-founder & Chief Executive at WKC Group
Nearly two decades ago, Glen Bueser left the Philippines with an ambition to gain experience abroad, allowing him to develop his career and ultimately to build a better future for his family. Like many Filipino professionals working in the UAE, that “couple of years” turned into almost eighteen.
Full Circle
As WKC Philippines enters its fifth year of operation, we are delighted to announce Glen’s appointment as General Manager of our office in Laguna, south of Manila, alongside his promotion to Partner. Glen’s return home marks an important milestone not only in his own career, but also in the continued growth of our Philippines business as it enters an exciting new chapter.
After almost 18 years in the UAE, the time for Glen to return home to the Philippines has arrived
The appointment comes at an important point in the evolution of WKC Philippines. Established in 2022, the office was initially created to strengthen the Group’s international delivery capability, providing specialist ecological expertise to projects across the Middle East while laying the foundations for a long-term presence in the Philippines.
On-Going Collaboration
Over the past four years, alongside supporting projects throughout the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the wider region, the team has built an impressive portfolio closer to home, delivering biodiversity studies, Critical Habitat Assessments and IFC-compliant Environmental and Social Impact Assessments for major renewable energy and infrastructure projects across the Philippines.
Glen and Donald Afan (centre) have built arguably the Gulf region’s most capable ecology team
Daniela from WKC Philippines – Drone Flying during Ecology Survey in Mount Batulao, Batangas Philippines
Glen brings almost two decades of international environmental consultancy experience, combining technical expertise with project leadership across some of the Middle East’s most complex developments. Despite relocating to Laguna, Glen will continue to play a key role in delivering terrestrial ecology services across the wider WKC Group, ensuring the close collaboration between our international offices remains a defining strength.
The Natural Choice
For Donald Afan, WKC’s Abu Dhabi office manager and Partner, who has overseen the development of WKC Philippines from the very beginning, Glen was the natural choice to lead the next phase.
Donald Afan, WKC Abu Dhabi Office Manager and Partner, has been central in building WKC Philippines
Like any new business, the early years brought their share of challenges, from navigating the practicalities of establishing a new company to building relationships in a well-established and highly competitive market.
Those early foundations have since grown into a business with an expanding portfolio of local projects and a reputation for delivering specialist environmental studies to an international standard. Early success on major renewable energy developments has led to repeat commissions and opportunities to broaden the team’s involvement across a range of environmental and social disciplines.
Measuring Success
Looking ahead, Glen sees significant opportunities for WKC Philippines to continue building on its strong foundations. While biodiversity and ecological studies remain at the heart of the business, his ambition is to broaden the office’s capabilities into a truly multidisciplinary environmental consultancy, expanding services in environmental permitting, air quality and noise modelling, environmental compliance, and advisory services to support the country’s growing renewable energy, infrastructure and mining sectors.
Just as importantly, Glen is passionate about building a culture that reflects WKC’s values; one that combines technical excellence with, collaboration, innovation and a genuine commitment to supporting one another’s development.
For Glen, becoming a Partner is not simply about taking on greater responsibility. It is an opportunity to invest in the next generation of environmental professionals.
Glen (centre right) and Donald (centre left): Consultants, mentors, entrepreneurs… and Team Players! Pictured here in the field with other members of the Philippines team
As WKC Philippines enters this next phase, Glen’s appointment as General Manager reflects the confidence that has been built over the past four years, the strength of the team that has grown with the business, and WKC’s continued commitment to investing in the Philippines.
Glen (right) and Donald (left), participating in a WKC Group Leadership Workshop, 2025
While Glen’s relocation marks a new beginning for the Laguna office, his ongoing involvement in terrestrial ecology projects across the Middle East also reflects the collaborative approach that is a hallmark of WKC’s international business. By combining local knowledge with global experience, WKC Philippines is well positioned to play an increasingly important role, both within the Group and in supporting clients throughout the Philippines and the wider Southeast Asia region.
Working closely with Glen, Donald and the wider team over the last few years in getting the Philippines business off the ground, I can describe Glen’s objectives can simply:
To build a business that develops talented people, earns the trust of its clients, and creates opportunities for the next generation of environmental professionals.
A set of objectives we can all get behind.
Glen Bueser, Philippines General Manager and Partner at WKC Group
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