Meet The Team

Passionate about what we're trying to achieve for our customers, we are the senior management team of the NLS.

Malcolm Lythgo - NLS General Manager
Responsible for overall leadership of the NLS as a business unit of the Environment Agency, Malcolm has presided over a period of considerable change at the NLS. Once quite an inward looking organisation, today the NLS is acclaimed for its safe, effective and efficient delivery,which often exceedscustomer expectations. Malcolm has an in-depth understanding of the environmental services sector, having worked for the Environment Agency in various operational management and policy roles since 1993. He has a first degree in Geology and Geography and an MSc in Pollution and Environmental Control.

Gary Gawler - Operations Director (Head of Operations)
Gary has been with the NLS and it's predecessors since 1990, having previously worked for a number of years in the Health sector. Gary has over 40 years laboratory experience having performed a number of technical and managerial roles, including the management of laboratory information. As NLS Head of Operations, Gary is responsible for the operational service delivery to all our customers from our 4 sites

Ian Rippin - Commercial Director (Head of Commercial)
Ian is responsible for the commercial development of the NLS, overseeing Sales & Marketing and Customer Service. His team's manage the majority of NLS customer interactions for both the internal Environment Agency customer and a growing base of commercial clients. Ian has experience across a number of industries, working with both national and global organisations to drive their commercial growth. After many years working in the telecommunications sector, Ian moved on to achieve commercial success for technical services based organisations, which subsequently led to him joining the NLS in 2007.