Caroline Beer, Managing Director. Caroline holds a BSc with majors in Environmental Science (distinction) and Zoology, as well as a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science (distinction) both from Rhodes University. Her undergraduate degree included both commerce and natural sciences. Caroline's honours dissertation evaluated the economic impacts of degradation of the xeric subtropical thicket through farming practices, focusing on the rehabilitation potential of the affected areas in terms of carbon tax. She has a broad academic background including statistics, economics, management, climate change, wetland ecology, GIS, rehabilitation ecology, ecological modelling and zoology. Caroline has a strong focus on renewable energy and South African policy and legislation related to development.
Bernadette Emslie, holds a B.Comm (Accounting) degree (Rhodes). Worked for over 7 years for Bethlehem Export cc, who at the time was one of the top exporters in South Africa of fresh asparagus. Was involved in running all aspects of the operations. At the same time she was made a member of the Close Corporation that owned lands with fresh asparagus that was picked, packed or canned for local or export. After starting her family in 2002 & no longer wanting to travel, she started her own accounting business in Grahamstown which managed large payrolls, accounting & tax consulting. In August 2005 she joined CES as the Financial Manager and in August 2010 was promoted to Financial Director.
Louise van Aardt, has more than 20 years of administrative experience which covers a broad range of areas, including Receptionist, Secretary, Personal assistant; and she has extensive experience in the travel industry as a supervisor for foreign exchange as well as tour consulting.
Marinda van Achterbergh, started her career in banking, then moved to conveyancing and Barlow Rand Properties thereafter where she gained extensive administration and secretarial experience. Marinda holds an Estate Agents Certificate. She has extensive Management and Hospitality experience having been a Restaurant business owner (De Wijn Huijs & Die Taphuis) as well as managing a family business, Dismantled Motors.
Jonathan Balmer has recently completed a Master’s degree in ornithology and phylogenetics through Rhodes University in Grahamstown, which he obtained with distinction. His M.Sc followed straight on from his B.Sc(Hons) in Zoology, and B.Sc in Entomology and Ichthyology from the same institution. Jo is an old-school naturalist with a passion for birding, herping and list-keeping, and he has over 10 years of guiding experience around Southern Africa. His other work experience includes contractual EIA surveys (3 years), birding app development (5 years), and junior school sports coaching (3 years). Although his professional focus has usually been ornithological in nature, he is comfortable working with most other animal classes as well, and has published research works and photographic material of mammals, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods. He joined CES shortly after completing his Master’s degree in early 2023, and is based in the Grahamstown office.