Charles Haine

Charles was born in the late 60’s as Pink Floyd topped the charts and television became colourised.  He grew up in the rural Cotswolds of England, has one sister – Sarah – and after a childhood dominated by sport, drew interest in environmental matters during his teen school years.  He studied a degree in Geography at the University of Birmingham before tackling a masters in Marine Resource Management, Edinburgh, Scotland – the best place he has ever lived, so far.  In 1992, his first job, near Liverpool, was as an Environmental Officer for a plastics’ manufacturer (we made polystyrene cups for MacDonalds!) dominated by cynical managers.  After taking part in a full environmental audit, his job was to implement the 47 recommendations, set up an EMS and segregate wastes.  A return to London beckoned and after a brief and valuable stint in a marketing company Charles joined consultants Royal Haskoning where he has been for an eighth of a century.  His work as an EIA specialist and strategist has taken him to Nigeria, Turkmenistan, Sakhalin Island in the Russian Federation, Georgia and all countries of the Middle East.  Indeed, his proudest work achievement was setting up our first overseas environmental office – in the Kingdom of Bahrain.  His current role is as a line manager, mentor and coach to a young team of 15 in the London office, which amazingly lies within the Westminster Palace World Heritage Site adjacent to the Houses of Parliament.  Charles married Kat – a dental hygienist and therapist – at Christmas 2006, and they live in leafy Godalming, Surrey.  In real life Charles plays cricket and football (don’t call it soccer!), cycles (off-road and road), is a calligrapher and avid music collector. He draws inspiration and energy from team sports, ascending mountains, landscape photography, film-making/cinematography and reading about innovators of the world.