Building a greener future through environmental impact assessment
From Environmental Geography to major projects, shaping a career with real impact in environmental consulting.
Meet Tom Anthony, Environmental Geography (BSc) and Sustainability Planning and Environmental Policy (MSc), Class of 2023 graduate.
Tom is now a Senior Consulting Associate in Environmental Impact Assessment and Project Management at ERM, where he supports major projects across planning, development and operational phases.
From dairy farm to sustainability consultancy
Growing up on a dairy farm, Tom Anthony spent much of his early life closely connected to the natural environment. That experience sparked an interest in geography and later led him into the evolving field of sustainability, where he enjoys seeing how policy and regulation are applied in real-world settings.
Working at the heart of sustainable development
Sustainability is central to Tom’s role. He helps organisations understand and reduce the environmental and social impacts of their projects, guiding them through environmental regulations and supporting the design of more sustainable developments.
In his day-to-day work, Tom manages projects, supports the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments, writes proposals, and coordinates with multidisciplinary teams. He regularly uses skills in technical report writing, policy research, critical thinking and communication with both clients and technical specialists.
“My role helps ensure projects meet sustainability criteria and regulations, minimising their impact on their surroundings,” Tom explains. “I really enjoy being involved in large-scale projects from the planning stage through to development and operation.”
A career shaped by experience
Tom found his current role through LinkedIn, but his pathway into consultancy was shaped by earlier experiences. A graduate scheme with Natural Resources Wales provided regulatory and policy experience, while work experience with an agricultural consultancy offered insight into consultancy practice and day-to-day operations.
Although Tom always planned to work in the environmental sector, his understanding of sustainability has broadened over time. “I started with a strong interest in environmental science, but I now prefer the broader project perspective that consultancy offers, including the social aspects of sustainability,” he says.
Challenges in the sustainability sector
One of the biggest challenges Tom has encountered is helping organisations understand and engage with sustainability requirements, particularly when they are under financial pressure.
“Making regulations relatable to businesses of all sizes can be difficult,” he says. “Sustainability can feel like an additional burden, so understanding that perspective and working collaboratively with clients is an important skill.”
Advice for students interested in green careers
Tom encourages students to explore the wide range of roles available in sustainability, noting that job titles and sectors vary widely.
“It’s important to gain as much experience as possible, even if it’s not in your ideal role at first. There are many transferable skills in this field, and being flexible and open-minded helps you develop well-rounded attributes that can be used in many careers.”
Looking ahead: opportunities in green jobs
Tom believes the green jobs sector offers huge potential for graduates as sustainability becomes a core focus for organisations across all industries.
“Green jobs are no longer limited to traditional environmental roles. As organisations respond to climate goals, sustainability is becoming embedded across all sectors, creating new roles and opportunities for graduates.”
Employer perspective: the value of Cardiff graduates
ERM has a long-standing relationship with Cardiff University and benefits from engaging with local students and graduates.
Jack Smith, Managing Consultant and Cardiff Office Lead at ERM, shares his thoughts: “Linking with local universities has been beneficial for both sides. Our Cardiff office has built a strong relationship with the University, with a rich alumni base of over 100 ERM staff.
“Open days, placements and conversations with students are really valuable, and we’ve had great feedback from Cardiff students on work experience programmes. Sustainability is core to what ERM does, and having graduates who are genuinely invested in that makes a real difference.”