What made you choose Arbtech?
Having had a mostly practical background in arboriculture as a climber and a relatively short stint as a tree inspector for a local authority, I was looking for a good place where I could build on the experience I had so far and further advance my career.
Arbtech was one of a handful of companies I applied to but was the only one I was genuinely interested in joining.
This was down to having a good ‘gut feeling’ following the interview process, which was completely different (in a good way) to anything else I’d experienced before. The vibe I got was one of a more dynamic, forward-thinking company that wasn’t just interested in your skill set but – more importantly – you as a person.
What do you love most about the company?
The home-based working model and the amount of autonomy we’re given over our own workload and schedule are things I really value; the flexibility this allows you is a big plus.
Also, the team here is ace – great people, extremely knowledgeable and super supportive whenever you need it.
No expense is spared here when it comes to your professional development either; the courses I’ve been on have been of the highest level, and I’ve definitely upped my game and feel more confident as a result.
What do you do when you are not at Arbtech?
I enjoy music – collecting records, playing the guitar and going to live gigs; the heavier and weirder, the better.
I also like cinema, reading and podcasts.
Martial arts training has always been important to me and something that I’ve put a lot of focus and effort into throughout the years.
Recently, I’ve also been trying to dust off old art skills and get into digital illustration.
I enjoy spending time with my family, kayaking, basketball and playing video games with my son, and I like going on long hikes and visiting country pubs with friends.
I’m keen to get back into scuba diving too – I got my advanced open water certificate in Egypt but haven’t been again since.
What is your biggest tip to achieve the most in life?
I think the answer to this is different for each individual person and it really depends on how you define success or having ‘achieved the most’ in life.
Some people are more into long-term goals and may be materially orientated, while some are more content to live each day as it comes and happy with very little.
Whatever your approach is, I’d say try to remain present, open-minded, curious and willing to try new things.
If you know what your true calling is, pursue it to the best of your ability, stay true and honest to yourself, and don’t forget to appreciate all that you have in life along the way.
What is the best social you’ve been on at Arbtech?
For me, it has to be the globetrotters’ week in Austria.
A full week of skiing, jiu-jitsu, hiking and socialising.
It was pretty unreal to be given an opportunity like that so soon after starting with the company.
It was a great experience.
Where do you want to travel to next?
I haven’t travelled nearly enough and there’s a whole bunch of places and cultures I’d like to experience.
To name only a few, I’d love to see Canada, Japan and New Zealand, as well as Scotland, Ireland, Norway and various other parts of Europe.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
In work, a short-term goal of mine is to finish my level 4 diploma in arboriculture. Long-term, I aim to reach a level of professionalism where I can confidently stand shoulder-to-shoulder with my peers.
Out of work, I’d like to be in a position where I could move and buy a nice place of my own and be as self-sufficient as possible. Also, further down the line, I want to utilise some other skills and interests to free myself up a little bit and generate other avenues of income, hopefully achieving a good work-life balance in the process.
Alan joined Arbtech in July 2022.
