What made you choose Arbtech?
Whilst looking for a new role, I was referred to Arbtech’s culture document and immediately felt it was a company I wanted to pursue.
I have been looking for a company that will support my professional goals, as well as being a fun and rewarding place to work, and the more research I did into Arbtech, the more I felt that this was the place for me.
What do you love most about the company?
As I’m new to Arbtech, I can’t say much about what I do love just yet, but what I can say is that I think the flexible working hours will really benefit my lifestyle and allow me to be more productive and efficient throughout the workday.
I also love the unlimited CPD budget, as whilst I am still early in my career, I cannot wait to expand my knowledge and experience different areas of ecology before hopefully beginning to specialise!
What do you do when you are not in Arbtech?
My personal life is often pretty busy, but I’d definitely say that’s how I like it.
I have horses, so they take up most of my time and money. However, my favourite weekend activity is taking a friend’s dog, going on a long walk and ending up in the pub.
I love trying out new sports, and my current favourites are squash, padel, reformer Pilates and swimming. That said, I will happily try anything! In the winter, I love to go skiing, and in the summer, I love to scuba dive. I did try diving in the winter once, but I didn’t enjoy it anywhere near as much as in the summer, so I have stuck to warm diving ever since.
Baking is a passion of mine, and this past year, I have been trying to perfect my sourdough; it’s definitely been a journey, but I seem to be getting there. And obviously, the best part of baking is eating the freshly baked treats at the end.
I also enjoy reading anything fantasy, sci-fi, romance, or ideally a combination of them all!
What is the biggest tip to achieve the most in life?
My motto is always ‘try your best, as your best is good enough’, and this has worked for me through everything. I know that as long as I have given something my all then I can never be disappointed.
I also believe that honesty is truly the best policy and that accepting your mistakes will always help you move forward. Everybody makes mistakes, so the best thing you can do is learn from them.
What is the best social you’ve been on at Arbtech?
I am a newbie so I haven’t been able to attend one yet, but I am very much looking forward to my first, as I have heard great things!
Where do you want to travel to next?
I am going to Malaysia, Borneo and Singapore next year on my honeymoon, and I cannot wait for the jungle trekking and scuba diving in Borneo, as this has been on my bucket list for the longest time!
I would love to go to Tokyo and have attempted to plan this many times but never quite made it.
Another trip I would love to take is to Australia and New Zealand. However, I would like to be able to go for at least a few months, so I don’t see this happening in the near future.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I haven’t thought too much about five years’ time, and so answering this now, I can only hope that myself and my family are happy and healthy.
I am getting married next year, so I am extremely excited about the next five years and hope that I get at least one dog in that time!
What is a goal you have for the future, in or out of work?
Professionally, I hope to have gained at least one protected species license.
A slightly work-related goal I have is to learn to lay hedges, or at least take a course in it. After using contractors to do so previously, I thought it was fascinating and would love to try it myself. On the topic of courses, I would also love to take more scuba diving courses and become a divemaster. I originally wanted to be a dive instructor, but my other life goals have since overtaken this one.
My biggest short-term goal is to move house to somewhere with a bigger garden so that I can get at least one dog, as I’ve found it very odd over the last few years to not have one! My biggest long-term goal for far into the future is to set up an animal sanctuary and mini farm so I can rescue all sorts of animals in need.
Anya joined Arbtech in November 2024.
