Managing Director

Crona is Managing Director at GSD and set the company up in 2011 with support from Co-Founder and Operations Director, James Hodges. Crona has a PhD in the use of remote sensing for mapping and monitoring semi-natural wetland vegetation and carried out her research on RSPB site Insh Marshes in Scotland; she has a First Class degree in Environmental Science from the University of Stirling and a Level 7 qualification in business management. Crona has carried out and managed a range of projects since setting up GSD that have included travel across Europe and the Middle East. She has a young family, and works from home in a small village in beautiful Eryri National Park, North Wales.

Senior Geospatial Consultant

Carys is a recent graduate of Environmental Consultancy (MSc) with experience in Earth Observation and data science following a remote sensing based research dissertation, and an earth observation undergraduate project completed during a Biology degree. She has developed a range of data science skills through both her postgraduate and undergraduate degrees, with experience in JavaScript, Python, QGIS, Google Earth Engine, R and RStudio. Carys works across both public and private sector projects, undertaking data analysis tasks and producing high quality maps using GIS software, in addition to supporting her team members and assisting GSD’s role in ERASMUS projects.

Operations Director

James brings over ten years of experience and qualifications to the GSD team through his work in the outdoor education industry and managing risk in the outdoors safely. This is supplemented by his experience as a member of the local Mountain Rescue team and his PRINCE2 qualification. James oversees H&S at GSD as well as all of the logistical operations at the company, including equipment, transport, welfare, biosecurity and training as well as taking an active role himself in site work. James has carried out peat depth work for NRW on our current afforested peat framework across Wales and also for private clients. James has also marked out interventions (contour bunding) at Cefn Croes and Hafod Elwy for NRW and for RSPB at their Vyrnwy site. James has completed the IOSH Managing Safety course and manages risk and health and safety across the work of GSD. His experience working on upland peat, hypermodified peat and within the afforested peat environment, gained from site work and working closely with surveyors from across the extended GSD team, ensures his full understanding of the risks and hazards associated with these environments enabling clear and effective communication throughout the team.