OUR TEAM

OUR STORY

Habibat is owned by parent company Ecosurv Ltd, one of the UK's leading independent ecological consultancies.

Our story began almost two decades ago with a simple challenge.

Ecosurv founder and Director Graham Jeffery was approached by a brickwork contractor who needed fifteen integrated bat boxes for a new school development in the North East of England. Graham sourced what appeared to be a suitable product manufactured on the continent, only to receive a call from the project's architect explaining that the boxes couldn't be used.

The reason was straightforward. The concrete boxes weren't manufactured to standard British brick dimensions, were proving difficult to install, and their concrete finish detracted from the brickwork aesthetic the architect and client wanted to achieve. The architect challenged Graham to find a product that would provide a home for bats while blending seamlessly into the architecture.

After discovering there was nothing suitable available on the market, Graham decided to create one himself.

A small production unit was established and the very first Habibat integrated bat boxes were produced.

From the outset, it was important that the products worked not only for the building, but also for the wildlife they were designed to support. Graham and Sales Specialist Charlotte Bell met with Kelly Gunnell and Professor Lisa Hunt from the Bat Conservation Trust to discuss the design and ecological requirements of the boxes.

This collaboration led to prototype boxes being independently tested in the Netherlands for a year. Following a successful trial, the Habibat brand was officially established.

Recognising that architects and developers needed integrated solutions for a wider range of species, Habibat adopted the same collaborative approach to develop its bird box range, working with organisations including the RSPB, BTO and Swift Conservation to ensure the designs met the needs of both wildlife and the built environment.

As the product range expanded, Kay Richardson joined the team, bringing together expertise in both architecture and ecology. Kay oversees the design and development of new and existing products, ensuring they integrate seamlessly into modern buildings while remaining suitable for the species they are intended to support.

Supporting this work is Senior Ecologist Dr Scott Taylor, whose expertise helps ensure every Habibat product continues to meet the ecological requirements of the species it has been designed for.

As demand for Habibat products continued to grow, it became clear that manufacturing capacity needed to grow with it. Habibat partnered with Wienerberger, who recognised the value of the products and began promoting them through their own product range under the Ecohabitats brand.

In 2021, the Habibat manufacturing facility relocated to Wienerberger's factory in Worcester. The move significantly increased production capacity while maintaining the quality and craftsmanship that had become synonymous with the Habibat name.

In 2025, Paul Hodgkinson, who had worked alongside Habibat for many years through Wienerberger, joined the company as Managing Director, enabling Graham to take a well-earned retirement. Paul brought with him more than 40 years' experience in the construction industry, together with a lifelong passion for wildlife and conservation. His appointment marked the next chapter in Habibat's journey, combining practical construction expertise with ecological knowledge to continue developing innovative products that benefit both wildlife and the built environment.

Today, Habibat products are trusted on projects throughout the UK. While manufacturing takes place in Worcester, our head office remains in the North East of England, where our experienced team continues to help architects, developers, contractors and ecologists integrate biodiversity into buildings without compromising practical design.

What began with a request for just fifteen bat boxes has grown into one of the UK's most respected ranges of integrated wildlife products—built on collaboration, ecological expertise and a genuine passion for helping wildlife thrive alongside modern development.