What made you choose Arbtech?
I was hoping that working as an ecologist would allow me to expand my professional experience, learn about environmental frameworks, and make a positive contribution to our efforts to combat ecological degradation and the burgeoning biodiversity crisis.
And so far, that has very much been the case, and I have loved expanding my knowledge of BNG in particular and building my understanding of how policies and legislation seek to protect our habitats and environments.
What do you love most about the company?
I find the mix of desk-based work with getting out and about on-site makes for a much more enjoyable work week, and that’s pretty rare within London!
I’m an ‘out and about’ kind of guy, so this is a big plus for me.
Also, the people are really great, knowledgeable and keen to help when I have four million and one questions…
What do you do when you are not at Arbtech?
Running, cycling, swimming (sometimes), reading and learning the guitar (slowly).
Generally, staying active helps to keep me sane, so I’m always looking to scamper about or go to the gym before and/or after work.
I’m trying to listen to more live music as well and go to more gigs when I get the chance.
I’m also a big one for hosting dinners and enjoy having a stab at something new in the kitchen. I have a fairly high turnover of willing sous chefs, but I refuse to recognise this as an indictment of my head chef-ing style…
What is your biggest tip to achieve the most in life?
Be process-oriented.
There are too many ‘uncontrollables’ to be overly concerned by outcomes, and so all you can do is choose a process, a way you want to live your life, and stick to it.
The outcomes will follow.
What is the best social you’ve been on at Arbtech?
Spygames in Covent Garden was good fun, very silly and much more intense/sweatier than anticipated, followed up with a delightful meal.
Hopefully, many more to come!
Where do you want to travel to next?
Australia is top of the list for me, and it has been for a while.
Depending on how long I’m able to spend out there, I would love to see some of New Zealand as well.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
Well, hopefully in – or having been to – Australia.
One of my favourite quotes is:
“We don’t have the right to ask whether we are going to succeed or not. The only question we have a right to ask is what’s the right thing to do? What does this Earth require of us if we want to continue to live on it?”
So, aside from getting that as a full back tattoo, I would like to continue to make personal and professional decisions that adhere to this ethos and hopefully keep me moving towards the right thing to do.
If I can keep doing that, then I should be somewhere pretty exciting in five years’ time.
What is a goal you have for the future, in or out of work?
Out of work, I’m getting into ultrarunning and have some plans for a few things to sink my teeth into over the next year or so.
Longer-term, Ironman would be very cool, as I prefer the variety in three different types of training.
James joined Arbtech in October 2025.
