Daryl, we are writing to you as co-chairs of the Marine Science Co-ordinating Committee (MSCC) to thank you for your involvement and contributions to the UK Marine Strategy. The expertise and input you provided through the MSCC Social Science Task Group significantly strengthened our assessment of the UK marine environment. In particular, the ‘social value and public perceptions of the marine environment’ section of the consultation document and the Marine On-line Assessment Tool, provided a richer understanding of the social and cultural value, perceptions and impact of our seas and oceans.Dr Simon Brockington (Deputy Director for Marine and Fisheries Science and Analysis, Defra) and Prof Colin Moffat (Chief Scientific Advisor for Marine Scottish Government).

Daryl has a great eye for detail and has developed strong working relationship with stakeholders.  This, with his energy, motivation and team-working have added real value to several projects we have worked together onProf Richard Barnes, Associate Dean for Research (Faculty of Business, Law and Politics), University of Hull.

The insight and facilitation provided by Daryl and his team was instrumental in helping the Marine Pioneer Project progress our testing of the natural capital approach. The workshops were designed brilliantly to enlighten and enable stakeholders to actively participate throughout. This value came through in the outputs and our ability to communicate them. Thanks Daryl!Peter Cosgrove, Project Officer, Suffolk Marine Pioneer Project.

Over the past few years, I have worked with Daryl on a number of different projects, including a global survey of saltmarsh practitioners developed as a result of our involvement in the international and interdisciplinary SaltMarshNet Network (currently in preparation for publication), as well as on pieces relating to best practice approaches to participatory mapping, ecosystem services and natural capital. Daryl brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every project, and has a wide range of experience in workshop facilitation and stakeholder and community engagement – including recently supporting delivery of the Defra funded Marine Social Science Research and Practice in the UK workshop held in London, February 2019.  Daryl is an engaged member of the Marine Social Science Network and is passionate about ensuring there is meaningful inclusion of the human dimension associated with our seas and coasts.” Dr Emma McKinley, Research Fellow, Cardiff University.

“In all my dealings with Daryl over the years he’s always shown the utmost professionalism and has been an easy person to work with; his ability to develop, organise and deliver on large complex multi-partner projects has always been exemplary.” Gethin Owen, International Research Grants Development Manager, University of Hull.

 “I presently collaborate with Daryl on a range of cutting-edge marine projects in research, community engagement and policy. We continue to produce a number of publications in the space of ecosystem services and knowledge exchange in the coastal environment and jointly sit on the UK MSCC Social Science Task Group. Daryl is a knowledgeable, professional and highly capable marine policy expert, who will bring value to any project and collaboration.” Dr Tavis Potts, Reader in Environmental Geography, University of Aberdeen.

After many years of working with Daryl, and in seeing him achieve a very high reputation in the field of marine management and environmental economics, I can fully attest to his enthusiasm and the high quality of his efforts. I have no difficulty in wholeheartedly recommending him to continue working in this area.” Prof Mike Elliott, Professor of Estuarine & Coastal Sciences, University of Hull.

Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire