Paul Scott, Director

Areas of work: Directs all external services. Has been working in the field of environmental / CSR reporting since 1990, developing and commenting on reports, and more recently, judging them. Paul is a judge on the ACCA Sustainability Awards judging panel, the ACCA Electronic Media Commendation panel and is the UK representative on the European Environmental and Social Reporting Awards judging panel. Increasingly involved in stakeholder dialogue and facilitation.

Background: After completing a degree in Law, Paul travelled extensively, living and working for long periods in France and Greece, as well as 10 years in Berlin. Several years working in environmental documentation for the German Federal Office of the Environment in Berlin led to six years as an environmental consultant in London, before becoming Director of Corporate Strategy at Aspinwall & Company, now known as Enviros. Paul founded Next Step Consulting in 1996.

Qualifications and memberships: MA (Cantab); FRGS; FRSA

Interests: Many and varied, including photography – all formats from sub-miniature to medium, including printing. Not yet progressed to digital as still prefers to soak his hands in chemicals in the darkroom. A keen interest in martial arts over many years. Would like to add to his languages – fluent German and French, smatterings of others including Greek and Malagasy.


James Wallace, Consultant

Areas of work: All external consulting services, with an emphasis on corporate environmental reporting and management. James has specific responsibilities for the review and evaluation of policy gap analysis, KPI gap analysis, and development of the Next Step CSR management tool.

Background: Before joining Next Step Consulting James worked for HSBC Bank plc as a business analyst for four years, his last project with HSBC was reviewing the UK waste management and recycling strategy. He also worked for the National Health Service as an assistant HR manager in London.

Qualifications and memberships: BSc (Hons) Geography; MSc Environmental Technology; IEMA.

Interests: James has a keen interest in the environment, particularly marine pollution due to his sporting pursuits of diving and surfing. He also still enjoys cooking from his days as a chef whilst growing up in the family business.


Iain McGhee, CorporateRegister Manager

Areas of work: Maintaining the CorporateRegister database through the sourcing of new reports, and the development of internal management systems, whilst working with the Director to develop new services and promote the website to new users and reporting companies. Iain provides assistance in establishing new working partnerships with a range of international organisations, through the exchange of CorporateRegister data and the arrangement of other mutually beneficial relationships.

Background: Iain graduated in Geography from Leeds University where he specialised in sustainable plantation forestry management systems. Before joining Next Step Consulting Iain was developing bespoke, Access based software solutions for clients ranging from public sector training organisations to large engineering consultancies.

Qualifications and memberships: BSc (Hons) Geography

Interests: Iain is an avid reader with a specific interest in the history and ethics of science. He enjoys a wide range of music and is a keen guitar player. Throughout his studies Iain was able to travel to Australia, South America and North Africa.