Ben Duursma
Before applying for a role at the company, I was already aware of Arbtech’s presence in the industry through its reputation for quality work and efficiency.
At that point, I knew a few people who had already moved to Arbtech, and they made it clear to me that it was the place to be if you wanted to grow in the world of ecological consultancy.
When I was offered the job at Arbtech, I had no doubts about my decision, and I haven’t regretted it since.
What I value the most about working at Arbtech is the autonomy and independence to work on the projects that I want to work on. It gives me the freedom to develop my skills in a way that feels really rewarding, with a level of flexibility that I have found nowhere else.
Aside from that, the character of the people here makes the job really enjoyable, and I feel like I am able to rely on others for guidance and also have a good laugh every now and again.
In my spare time, I like to climb, both outdoors and indoors. I especially love climbing on cliffs on the coast in Portland and South Wales.
I also really like cold dips in rivers and lakes where I can, and then immediately regretting it and blasting the heating in the car!
The most important thing that has helped me and continues to help me is pursuing experiences.
Just give it all a try. You might love something or you might hate something, but only through trying it can you find out.
I really enjoyed meeting up with the Southern staff for a barbecue. It was great to have a proper chat with everyone and enjoy the last of the summer sun!
I am really excited about the upcoming Christmas party, which will be a lovely opportunity to meet some of my colleagues who I haven’t had the chance to meet face-to-face yet.
My next trip coming up will be to Oman with my friends. I really enjoy going to places with a different landscape and culture.
Next on my list to visit are Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The mountains are said to be gorgeous, and it would be really special to re-trace some of the Silk Road trading routes.
Five years feels like a really long time!
I see myself hopefully continuing to develop and grow my ecology skills at Arbtech, all while taking on more opportunities and exciting projects.
Out of work, I hope to have seen a little bit more of the world.
In work, I would love to gain a protected species licence in order to better protect vulnerable species.
Out of work, I’d really like to try my hand at free diving, especially around the Cornwall coast. I have a slight fear of the ocean, so this might go terribly wrong – watch this space!
Ben joined Arbtech in October 2024.
Meet the other members of our leading ecology and arboriculture team.