RSK Group Founder and CEO Alan Ryder.
RSK is further investing in the group’s specialist environmental sciences services across Australia with the acquisition of Biota Environmental Sciences, a leading ecological consultancy based in Western Australia.
Headquartered in Perth, Biota supports clients across infrastructure, resources and utilities, delivering ecological surveys, biodiversity assessments and environmental approvals to enable sustainable development. The business employs 45 people and works with public and private sector clients including Main Roads Western Australia, BHP, Rio Tinto, Water Corporation and Horizon Power.
Founded in 2000, Biota has built a strong reputation as a trusted scientific partner, providing terrestrial ecology, flora and fauna surveys and environmental impact assessment services across Western Australia.
Biota was a co-founder of Helix (also part of the RSK acquisition): an industry leader in the application of genetics and molecular methods to environmental impact assessment. Helix was established in 2010 as a sister company to Biota and later became a wholly owned subsidiary of Biota.
Helix provides molecular services to the market independently, while continuing to work closely with Biota on joint projects. Many of Biota’s applied ecology projects require genetic analysis, making Helix a key delivery partner and reinforcing the strength of their combined offer.
Biota offers end-to-end ecological services across the project life cycle, including baseline biological surveys, impact assessments, statutory approvals, monitoring programmes and rehabilitation oversight. Its multidisciplinary team includes experienced zoologists, botanists and environmental scientists.
Recent project experience includes:
- Asian Renewable Energy Hub Public Environmental Review: Biota provided strategic advice and led the environmental impact assessment process, including remote ecological surveys and the preparation of key regulatory documents to support approval by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
- Western Ringtail Possum Regional Study: Biota applied robust statistical methods to estimate population density and distribution, improving understanding of this endangered species and better inform its conservation status
- Koodaideri Iron Ore Project: Biota delivered large-scale ecological surveys across more than 67,000 hectares, supporting infrastructure planning and environmental approvals for this major development.
RSK Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Ryder said: “Biota and Helix together significantly strengthen RSK’s environmental and ecological consulting capability in Australia. Their combined expertise in biodiversity assessment, ecological surveys and environmental approvals complements our existing services and enhances our ability to support clients delivering sustainable development projects. It also enables us to take on additional projects to support our clients across Australia while maintaining a strong focus on scientific rigour and high-quality outcomes.”
RSK Divisional and Board Director Steve Abbott added: “The acquisition of Biota and Helix is a significant step in strengthening RSK’s position in Australia. Their outstanding reputation in ecological consulting and environmental sciences, combined with Helix’s advanced molecular capabilities, enhances our ability to deliver integrated, science-led solutions for clients across infrastructure, resources and utilities projects. This investment reinforces our long-term commitment to the Australian market and expands the specialist expertise we can offer nationwide.”
Biota Director and Principal Ecologist Garth Humphreys said: “Joining RSK is an exciting step for Biota. We share a commitment to scientific excellence, innovation and delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients. This partnership creates new opportunities for growth while preserving the specialist expertise, collaborative culture and values that have defined our business for more than 20 years.”
About RSK
RSK Group is a global leader in the delivery of environmental and engineering solutions. We recognise the urgent need for sustainable change and know that this will be achieved by delivering meaningful action, not just words. We are committed to supporting our clients and societies as they navigate these complex challenges, while making a positive impact. The business was founded in 1989, originally focused on providing environmental consultancy services to global energy clients. Today, while we remain a leader in environmental consultancy, the business is significantly more diverse. RSK delivers an unrivalled breadth and depth of environmental and engineering services, either as stand-alone projects or as large and integrated multidisciplinary solutions. The group believes this emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration is essential for successfully addressing complex global challenges. This is why we have brought together pragmatic advice, forward-thinking engineering, cutting-edge innovation, digital solutions and best-in-class delivery services. RSK continues to deliver its ambitious growth strategy. It now comprises more than 200 companies and employs over 17,000 people.
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