K3 Law advises Dynamic Rivers on joining Ecology Group

K3 Law acted as legal adviser to the founders of Dynamic Rivers on the sale of the business to Ecology Group, a specialist environmental consultancy group backed by private equity firm Ansor. The deal was announced in October 2026 and advised on the corporate side by Joe Norris, Associate Corporate Director at KBS Corporate.

The business

Founded in 2021 by Dr George Heritage and Sebastian Bentley, Dynamic Rivers is a Cumbria-based environmental consultancy specialising in river and floodplain restoration. Its team of six brings deep technical expertise across geomorphology, hydromorphology, hydrology, hydraulics, Natural Flood Management, and fluvial dynamics.

The business works with a client base that includes the Environment Agency, Natural England, the National Trust, wildlife and river trusts, and local authorities. Notable projects include river restoration work at the Breamish in Northumberland, Kirkstone Beck in Cumbria, and Scarrow Beck in North Norfolk.

Bringing the deal together

Dr Heritage and Bentley instructed KBS Corporate to identify an acquirer capable of supporting Dynamic Rivers’ continued growth while preserving the specialist culture and client relationships the business had built since its founding. Corporate advisory was led by Joe Norris, Associate Corporate Director at KBS Corporate, with K3 Law providing legal advice to the founders throughout the transaction.

George Heritage said:

“Worked closely with Joe at KBS throughout the process and found him to be a knowledgeable and level-headed guide. KBS and K3 Law carried us smoothly to an excellent business conclusion.”

Joining Ecology Group

Ecology Group was founded in 2025 with the specific aim of bringing together respected ecological and environmental consultancies to create a leading specialist environmental firm. Backed by Ansor, the Group has grown to over 350 employees with annual revenues in excess of £25 million.

The acquisition of Dynamic Rivers adds specialist river and floodplain capability to the Group’s existing offering — a new discipline that broadens the services Ecology Group can deliver to its clients.

George Heritage and Sebastian Bentley said:

“Our team of six has achieved a great deal over the years, and it’s because of this that we’re part of Ecology Group. We bring our skills in river and floodplain restoration, geomorphology, hydromorphology, hydrology and hydraulics — something entirely new for the Group. We’re still the same Dynamic Rivers our clients trust and our people love working for, but we now have greater access to new services, sectors and clients, and greater investment in the learning, development and training of our team.”

Chris Heyes, CFO of Ecology Group, said:

“Dynamic Rivers brings something new to the Group, with its specialist knowledge and focus on river and floodplain restoration. This of course builds on our existing service offering, but it also means we can deliver even greater value for our clients and nature alike. I’m excited to work with George, Seb and the wider team, and looking forward to delivering on our ambitious growth plans with them.”

Looking ahead

The transaction gives Dynamic Rivers access to the broader resources, services, and client relationships of a growing group, while Ecology Group gains a genuinely differentiated capability in river and floodplain science. It is a combination grounded in complementary expertise and a shared commitment to delivering for nature and clients alike.

K3 Law is a specialist corporate law firm with experience across the full range of M&A, business sale, and investment transactions. Our team brings expertise from the UK’s top 50 law firms, working with clients on both sell-side and buy-side mandates across all sectors. K3 Law is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.