The SERC team is made up of 6 members of staff, with project officers and other volunteers joining us on a short-term basis.
Ian Egerton
Head of Devon & Somerset Environmental Records Centres
Contact: iegerton@devonwildlifetrust.org
Tel: 01392 274128
- Responsible for the strategic and daily management of SERC, client liaison and business development.
- The first point of contact for new clients, partnerships and project development.
- Jointly manages the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre.
Before taking the helm at DBRC and then SERC, Ian spent three years managing regional development projects for the SW Wildlife Trusts and Natural England. His previous career was focused within the built environment, primarily, asset management for Thames Water, land and new homes development, and eventually sustainable construction. His experience whilst Marketing and Development Manager at the Ecos Trust (which built the countries first Eco Excellent houses, and Code For Sustainable Homes level 5, here in the South West) showed him the importance of good biodiversity data, and its ability to positively influence decision making, and design/mitigation within the planning realm.
Having worked within related sectors, and with a wealth of commercial and Not for Profit Experience, Ian is well placed to develop SERC, its portfolio, services, and value to its partners, clients and stakeholders.
Out of work I spend as little time indoors as possible, enjoying the UK’s countryside, sometimes with a golf bag in tow.
With a horticulturist mother, Tony started recording at about 10 in the 1970s, returning to it at around 20. Tony originally came to SERC to volunteer in 1991, but after two hours he was offered contract work. This led to a permanent role in 1992, and he has been working for SERC since then. SERC was the first record centre to have a GIS in 1992. Tony installed the first networks and servers.
He developed a European version of Recorder. This was required for the Atlantic Arc Wetlands mapping project; the GIS was used to map all the wetlands, and each nation was provided with maps, overlays and a copy of Recorder loaded with their wetlands data.
He played a pivotal role in developing the Integrated Habitat System (IHS), which is still in use today, as well as the Somerset Habitat Evaluation Process (SHEP).
In his spare time, Tony is a songwriter, musician and artist.
Steve joined SERC as Data Officer in 2026, having previously worked for Somerset Wildlife Trust for nine years as a GIS Officer.
He has a background in GIS, spatial data management and software development, with experience across the conservation, local government and commercial sectors. During his previous time with Somerset Wildlife Trust, Steve worked on a range of ecological mapping projects, including ecological networks and hedgerow mapping.
More recently, Steve has worked as a software developer, designing and developing database-driven applications and data management systems. He has experience with GIS, SQL and relational databases, as well as programming in R, Python and PHP.
At SERC, Steve works on the management, quality and analysis of environmental data and the development and improvement of SERC’s databases, GIS systems and data-processing workflows.
Outside work, Steve enjoys spending time in nature with his family, woodworking and playing guitar.
Ellen joined SERC in November 2021 on contract to produce a State of Nature Report for Sedgemoor council and Somerset West and Taunton council while also assisting on the Ancient Woodland Inventory. She joined on a permanent contract in September 2022 as Support Officer and led on the creation of the 2023 Somerset State of Nature report for Somerset Wildlife Trust. Since she has moved through as acting Manager for SERC then Data Specialist, now Project Officer. Handling data searches, projects and partnerships.
In her spare time Ellen is an avid Ultimate Frisbee player and enjoys all sports and outdoor activities.
Responsible for the Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) review programme. Liaison for Specialist groups
Anne-Marie joined SERC 2 years ago to offer administration support to the SERC team. She currently helps oversee the logging and processing of incoming and internal data and SERCs digital presence.
Outside of work, Anne-Marie is active in her local church, enjoys running and knitting, and brings people together through a weekly cake and crafting group.