A specialist renewable energy consultancy in York is strengthening its UK operation.

Environmental, planning and engineering consultancy, Arcus Consultancy Services, has appointed offshore wind specialist Marc Browne and Tim Wheeler, a chartered town planner with 35 years’ experience.

The consultancy which has offices across the UK and South Africa is headquartered in York, and is involved with high-profile and often groundbreaking new developments, ranging from windfarms, solar plants, battery storage facilities, gas to grid systems, and hydrogen schemes.

Projects include significant renewable energy and infrastructure developments in Europe and Africa.

Tim has extensive experience in planning and development, particularly in onshore wind, offshore wind and solar. He joins Arcus as principal planner from the Planning Inspectorate where he determined more than 150 planning appeals. Tim has previously worked with major renewable energy developers, private consultancy and other UK Government agencies.

Marc has extensive experience in the renewable energy sector, in particular offshore wind, along with other sectors such as marine fish farming. He joins as offshore development manager, based in Edinburgh, to head up the company’s offshore wind business, and develop and direct a growing workload in this exciting and varied sector.

Arcus’s managing director Greg Shillabeer, who set up the business in 2006 and has seen it grow to more than 80 staff, said: “As the renewable energy sector continues to grow and develop, we are keen to ensure our clients have access to the very best technical expertise.

"Tim and Marc join Arcus at a very exciting time, as we provide high-quality, environmental assessment services on a diverse range of clean energy projects, including offshore wind, onshore wind, solar, hydrogen and battery storage.

“We have ambitious plans for the next five years in terms of turnover and growth. Appointing talented and experienced people like Tim and Marc, whilst supporting the development of our existing team, is tremendously important to our business.”