Nancy Thomson MD and Chairwomen of Thomson Ecology. Thomson Ecology have just set up their business in Letchworth

A LEADING ecology consultancy is expanding its business and is now on the hunt for new recruits.

Thomson Ecologyhas created a biodiversity hub at its base in Letchworth GC which will eventually employ more than 100 staff.

The firm has been established in the town for some time but recently moved from Works Road to new premises on Fifth Avenue.

With the help of the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, the company has transformed the building into a state-of-the-art marine laboratory, office and warehouse complex.

Thomson Ecology is now in the middle of an extensive recruitment exercise to fill scientific posts at the premises and are looking to take on a further 20 staff.

Commenting on the company’s expansion plans, managing director Nancy Thomson said: “With the commissioning of this new building, we are amalgamating our laboratory facilities, previously in Works Road, Letchworth, together with other ecology disciplines to create a centre of excellence for biodiversity.

”We hope that the choice of Letchworth as our centre for marine ecology and new hub for biodiversity activity across the Midlands and the East of England will help to create jobs for the local community and demonstrate our commitment to the local economy.”

The firm plans to hold a hands-on community open day for schools, businesses and community leaders in March where marine experts based at the site will be on hand to talk people through some of the company’s 88,000 marine specimens and demonstrate the breadth of work carried out at the facility.