What made you choose Arbtech?
I wanted a change from working at large, multidisciplinary companies, and Arbtech’s culture, unlimited CPD fund and reputation attracted me to the role.
On top of all that, the Pret a Manger coffee card really sweetened the deal!
What do you love most about the company?
I love how Arbtech values its employees, investing time and money into them and allowing each and every employee a great degree of freedom and ownership over their work.
What do you do when you are not at Arbtech?
At the weekends, I love spending time with my partner and socialising with our friends at cocktail bars or nice restaurants.
The most fun and rewarding thing I do with my free time is volunteering with children in foster care as part of the West Sussex City Council Independent Visitor Scheme.
In my downtime, I enjoy spending an enormous amount of time fussing with my cat.
What is your biggest tip to achieve the most in life?
Enjoy the little, everyday things and take stock of how far you have come, but never stop striving forward.
What is the best social you’ve been on at Arbtech?
I only recently started at Arbtech, but I am looking forward to my first social, especially given what I’ve heard from colleagues about the socials that happened in the last year alone!
Where do you want to travel to next?
I recently ticked off a UK-based trip that I’d had on my bucket list for a while: the Farne Islands. I went on multiple boat trips and saw the iconic puffins, as well as seals, guillemots, Arctic terns, razorbills and more.
I hope that my next big trip will be to New Zealand. I want an adrenaline-packed holiday with zip wires, skydiving and white-water rafting. It would also be so awesome to see Giant Sperm Whales and Orcas.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
I would like to be a senior ecologist at Arbtech.
By then, my partner and I will have purchased a bigger house in Brighton and filled every room with rescue cats.
What is a goal you have for the future, in or out of work?
In my professional life, I aim to gain protected species licences, especially a great crested newt and a barn owl licence.
In 2019, I was gifted two tickets to my first wildlife conference – Vanishing Viper in Bangor. This was a fantastic experience and so I aim to attend as many conferences as I possibly can over the next few years.
Outside of work, my main goals are to learn British sign language and swim with sharks.
Chantae joined Arbtech in August 2023.
