Who we are
Simon Leake
B Sc Ag (HonsI) AIAST, ASSSI, ASPAC, WMA
Simon Leake is a founding Director and Principle Soil Scientist and responsible for all technical matters in the company. His education and interests are centred on soil science and soil chemistry in particular.
Since the Darling Harbour development, Simon has risen to become one of the best-known urban soil scientists in Australia. His knowledge and expertise naturally led him to composting science. He has been consulting to the composting industry for over 12 years. He is an active member of the Australian Standards Committees for Topsoil, Compost and Potting Mixes
Murray Fraser
B Sc Ag (Hons) LCA, QIA, MCCF
Murray Fraser is a Director and Senior Soil Scientist and is responsible for the fiscal, marketing and business management of the company. Murray has been responsible for introducing technical innovation to many of our activities.
With a solid understanding of soil science from his degree course at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Murray has built on that knowledge with experience including but not restricted to the regeneration and rehabilitation of industrial sites, design of soil mixes for specific uses, horticulture, agriculture, landscape installation and maintenance roles and project management. He is currently involved with the design and planning of a number of sportsturf facilities.
Top
Daniel Saunders
B Sc Env Sc QIA
Graduating from Newcastle University as an Environmental Scientist, Daniel Saunders leads our Environmental Consultancy department. Daniel’s previous experience with meeting DEC (EPA) and Local Government requirements and his skills in project management makes him the ideal person for dealing with risk assessment and reporting of environmentally sensitive matters.
Daniel's current role sees him consulting to clients on waste classification, contaminated site evaluation and reporting, environmental analysis including waste, water, acid sulphate soil, corrosion and scaling and salinity.
ToP
Ryan Jacka
B Env Sc EIANZ (Assoc. Member)
Ryan Jacka is an Environmental Scientist. He has illustrated that he has a keen interest in the workings of the environment and the influence of people upon it. He brought to our company impressive skills in sampling, testing and monitoring and the evaluation of scientific results and is proving to be a great addition to our team.
He currently has the responsibility of managing a number of clients and their requirements including heavy metal monitoring of green waste products, acid sulphate soil risk assessments and management plans, contamination assessments and corrosion test results interpretation and reporting.
ToP
Peter Kirby
M Ag, B Sc, AD App Sc
Peter Kirby has a proven record of technical competence in all facets of turf grass installation, management and maintenance. His expertise has been a welcome addition to the SESL team. As a turf grass expert, we expect that our many turf related customers will be able to obtain a complete consultancy service for all and any challenges that they encounter.
Top
Catherine Blake
B Sc Env Sc
Our laboratory manager Catherine Blake brings to our company a wealth of experience that encompasses every facet of laboratory operations including OH&S, QA/QC and management and responsibility of staff. Her degree in Environmental Science gives her a sound knowledge of the type of services and analyses offered by our laboratory.
She has been instrumental in revising laboratory procedures and has contributed greatly to improving QA/QC measures. Catherine has become a valued member of our team solving existing difficulties and leading the way with innovation and expansion of our services.
ToP
Paul Looby
B Sc (Horticulture)
Paul Looby has achieved considerable practical experience in many aspects of both horticulture and agriculture prior to joining SESL. His experience encompasses every facet of growing systems including:
• Day to day operations of a technical services division of an international turfgrass products company
• Providing technical assistance regarding work methods, use of equipment, techniques and analysis of results
• Write all soil, water and plant pathology results
• Experimental and analytical data compilation, reporting and interpretation.
• Conduct research into water efficiency of forages used in the dairy industry
• Conduct research studies on rice physiology and plant nutrition
• Attend to all day to day duties to maintain trials in the field
With such sound practical agronomic experience combined with one of the best horticultural degrees available in Australia, Paul can provide industry best practice advice and consulting for all horticultural/agricultural growing systems from the largest commercial urban landscape development, any type of production horticultural endeavour to the home gardener.