What made you choose Arbtech?
I chose to work for Arbtech after I worked as a subcontractor to deliver bat emergence and re-entry surveys.
I noticed how core Arbtech staff loved their jobs and spoke fondly of the flexibility, autonomy and ability to earn compared to other companies within the sector.
That really spoke to me as somebody who really values these things and wants to build a better life for myself.
I also found the staff team at Arbtech to be highly knowledgeable, supportive and keen to share opportunities.
What do you love most about the company?
It’s a toss-up between having fantastic colleagues or the autonomy and flexibility the company offers.
I really enjoy managing my own projects from the comfort of my own home, but also visiting sites and getting to see a wide range of British plants and animals.
What do you do when you are not at Arbtech?
I’m quite obsessed with what I do, so my free time is often spent finding insects and other invertebrates to hone my identification and photography skills.
I also like to speak at events and deliver workshops about insects or photography.
Other than that, I enjoy geeking out with complex theory crafting heavy PC games.
I play ukulele and sing terribly, but we don’t talk about that…
What is your biggest tip to achieve the most in life?
I think channelling your inner stubbornness when things feel too hard, or imposter syndrome is rearing its ugly head.
The only time we truly fail is when we give up, so being stubborn can be a good quality when used in the right context.
I also like to live by the mantra “I’d rather be a fool for a minute than a fool for life”.
I have no qualms with looking foolish for a moment to learn something, because after all, science and understanding start with questions, which can at times seem silly or obvious but often lead to something insightful or surprising.
What is the best social you’ve been on at Arbtech?
The best social I’ve been on with Arbtech was when we all went out for food, went bowling and had some drinks.
It was great to have a laugh with everyone, share stories, and of course, geek out about animals!
Where do you want to travel to next?
It has to be the Amazon rainforest.
As a massive lover of insects, this has to be one of the best places on earth to see them.
A recent trip to Costa Rica highlighted not just the incredible species diversity of South America, but the sheer abundance of fantastic invertebrates to see.
The tropics generally have some of the most bizarre, beautiful and, at times, scary invertebrates you can find.
This all excites me for different reasons!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
In five years’ time, I would be thrilled to have a FISC 4 qualification and to have made a serious dent in finding and recording British invertebrate fauna.
With at least 30,000 terrestrial invertebrate species described, it’s no small task!
I would also like to be at a senior consultant level, but that might be overreaching.
What is a goal you have for the future, in or out of work?
At the risk of sounding cheesy, I’d love to be in a financial situation where I can support my mother when she retires.
She has relentlessly supported me throughout my life, and I won’t rest until the debt is paid in return!
She’s the whole reason I feel the way I do about animals and the natural world. It started with her buying me insect books as a child and continued into my teens with her not complaining when I kept scorpions in my bedroom as a teenager. Then, at 17, she encouraged me to take the risk of leaving home to become a primate keeper at a zoo.
The list goes on, and the urge to do her proud has catalysed the achievements I’ve had so far. I hope there are many more to come!
Kirk joined Arbtech in October 2025.
