Our People
SESL Australia has evolved over 40 years and is now Australia’s leading environmental, soil, water and plant science laboratory and consultancy service.
From our onsite & technical scientists, to the laboratory testing team and our corporate services division, our working environment operates with complete cohesiveness. SESL ensures our people come from a diverse range of backgrounds to increase the collective knowledge of our company.
Simon Leake
Director of Science &
Founder of SESL Australia
BSc.Ag(HonsI) CPSS RH
Simon, our Director of Science here at SESL Australia founded the business in 1984. As Director of Science, Simon enjoys mentoring the SESL team in the objective application of soil science to solve client problems. Simon is expert in soil/vegetation rehabilitation such as in mine sites and urban renewal projects. He is a Certified Practicing Soil Scientist and expert witness in legal matters related to soil, waste and composting sciences.
Simon has been published multiple times via the CSIRO including developing, “Soils for Landscape Development”, a practical guide for future development of landscape soil technology and the specification of soil and growing media. Simon is a frequent lecturer to various universities including University of Technology Sydney, University of NSW, University of Sydney, and TAFE Ryde School of Horticulture and Hawkesbury Campus as well as many conferences and professional organisations, giving lectures on urban soil science, turf rootzone soils, tree rootzone management, pedology, soil chemistry, soil management and modification, amelioration, and plant nutrition in Australia and overseas.
Simon also conducts lectures to hundreds of interest groups, seminars, conferences, TV and radio appearances. Simon is frequently called upon to give advice in radio and television programs having appeared on “Burkes Backyard” several times, radio segments for the ABC more.
AWARDS:
Australian Institute of Horticulture Inc. (AIH)
Horticulturist of the Year for soil works at Barangaroo - 2016
Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Literature for publications “Soils for Landscape Development” - 2015
Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture Landscape (AILA)
Glenugie Bypass landscape rehabilitation works - 2021
Barangaroo Civil landscape works - 2015
Excellence in Research & Communication: Soils for Landscape Development - 2014
Australian School Library Association (ASLA)
ASLA Professional Awards- Soil Engineering - 2019
Consulting
Laboratory
Corporate Services
