Meet Abigail Sheppard REnvP 2026 Rising Star | Meet the Winners

2026 Rising Star: Abigail Sheppard REnvP

I graduated with an MBiol in Biology from Hertford College, Oxford in 2022, where I studied the full breadth of the discipline, from molecular biology through to ecosystems and global environmental systems. When I graduated, I initially imagined I would go into conservation and spent a year working at the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). That experience gave me valuable insight into global biodiversity challenges, particularly global wildlife trade, and the evidence base that underpins them. 

However, I became increasingly interested in how that knowledge translates into real-world decisions, particularly in sectors that have a significant impact on the natural environment. In September 2023, I joined WSP as an Assistant Consultant in the Nature Advisory team, which felt like the right balance between applying my background in biology while also working in a context where I could have a more direct influence on how projects are designed and delivered. 

Working in Nature Advisory

In my role, I have worked across a range of projects spanning infrastructure, natural capital and nature-related risk and opportunity. A key part of this has been supporting organisations to better understand their relationship with nature, moving beyond compliance towards more strategic thinking about impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities. 

What continues to motivate me is how quickly the role of nature is changing in the economy. There is growing recognition that environmental considerations are not separate from decision-making, but fundamental to it. Being part of a field that is still evolving, and where there is opportunity to shape emerging approaches, is something I find particularly exciting. 

A highlight of my experience so far has been contributing to work at the forefront of this shift. This includes applying the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) guidance to clients who had previously not quantified their impacts and dependencies on nature, supporting the Infrastructure Client Group (ICG) to explore how nature can be better integrated into infrastructure planning and investment, and working on emerging areas such as nature markets. I also had the opportunity to complete secondments at Great Yellow, where I authored and coordinated a blended finance plan for a large-scale restoration project. This gave me first-hand insight into nature finance mechanisms, such as how public and private finance can be combined, and how environmental projects are funded and delivered in practice.