Dr Giacomo Maini spent two years at the University of Bologna, Italy, studying for a degree in agricultural sciences then subsequently won an Erasmus Scholarship and moved to England to study at the University of Kent. At the University of Kent he obtained a first degree in Microbiology and then proceeded to complete a PhD in Environmental Microbiology; investigating the microbial degradation of pesticides in the aqueous environment.

Giacomo joined IBS Viridian Ltd in 1996 as the lead investigator of a LINK grant looking at the remediation of heavy metals in contaminated land using a novel electrokinetic technique. In 1998 he became responsible for technical project management of in-situ and ex-situ bioremediation projects for Viridian in England, Italy and Indonesia.

Giacomo initiated the formation of Ecologia Environmental Solutions Ltd in the UK in 2000, with the view of providing technical expertise and consultancy to companies operating in the contaminated land market. Over the years Ecologia has undergone significant expansion, opening UK offices in the Midlands, South West and set up a subsidiary company in Italy. The company has also increased the range of services offered by developing an in house geotechnical capability. Giacomo’s role as Managing Director of Ecologia is to provide strategic guidance to the ongoing activities of the company and client liaison, but he also retains a very active role in several commercial and R&D projects. Giacomo is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Water and  Environmental Management (CIWEM) and a Chartered Scientist.