What made you choose Arbtech?
In 2010, I graduated from Myerscough College with an FdSc in arboriculture and immediately started job hunting but struggled to find a position due to a lack of experience.
I was then fortunate enough to have an interview with Rob for a tree surveying position and was pleasantly surprised to learn that my lack of experience wasn’t a problem in his eyes and that Arbtech would train me in-house.
Skip ahead 12 years later, and I’m still here and remain grateful to Rob for giving me the opportunity.
What do you love most about the company?
Rob is a very progressive and forward-thinking boss.
Through staff incentives and bonuses, he makes Arbtech a company that his staff don’t want to leave. Unlimited CPD is fantastic too, and my gym membership is subsidised by Arbtech!
In my time at the company, I’ve been taken on holiday breaks to Prague and Madrid, and I’ve driven Porsche racing cars at Silverstone. It’s an amazing place to work!
What do you do when you are not at Arbtech?
Mainly looking after/spending time with my seven-year-old daughter, and keeping fit through running and boxing training.
I live very close to the Peak District, so I enjoy hillwalking. In addition, I practice chi-kung, which is very good for keeping you calm and centred in an often bonkers world.
I also produce infrared photography as a bit of an art hobby.
What is your biggest tip to achieve the most in life?
Evaluate what means the most to you in life, then work hard towards shaping your life around protecting/nurturing those most important aspects.
What is the best social you’ve been on at Arbtech?
The four-day trip to Prague in 2016 was great fun.
Arbtech had taken on some new staff, and going to Prague with them was a good opportunity for us all to meet and get to know each other properly. Plenty of good food, drinks and company. I also enjoyed the sightseeing, with a local guide and a river cruise.
Where do you want to travel to next?
I am planning to go on a seven-day hiking trip to Iceland with friends in 2024.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
In five years, I hope to be mostly retired as the result of investments that I’ve made over the past couple of years.
What is a goal you have for the future, in or out of work?
Long-term, I would like to eventually move on from tree surveying and set up professionally as a successful infrared artist/photographer.
Alan joined Arbtech in May 2011.
Robert Oates, managing director says:
Alan is a really top bloke. He’s dedicated, personable and has an incredible energy about him. I can only assume his commitment is the reason he can get surveys completed and reports out to customers so quickly. Also, frequently sat a mere twenty feet or so from him in the office, I genuinely learn from him each week: sometimes it’s a random fact about an 80s hit–but mostly its stuff I never knew about trees.
