What made you choose Arbtech?
I had the delightful good fortune to meet Fay Brotherhood at university many years ago, so I already knew what a great company Arbtech was to work for from her many life updates, and it always sounded like a company that actively tries to keep its employees happy.
When an opportunity came up, I jumped for it!
What do you love most about the company?
A recurring theme with people I have talked to within Arbtech involves the freedom that working there offers.
Of the team that I have so far met, they have been – without exception – tremendous.
What do you do when you are not at Arbtech?
I can frequently be found wandering through woods, meadows, hills or bogs, where I will be hiking and slightly annoying those with me as my plant spotting slows us down.
Failing that, you will be most likely to find me with a book in my hand (sci-fi, fantasy or horror as a general but not strictly enforced rule), a glass of red wine in my hand at the pub with friends, an Xbox/PlayStation controller in my hand on one video game or another (again, my love of sci-fi and fantasy tends to take centre stage), ‘binge-watching’ an entire series of something on television that I enjoy, or on a plane somewhere, as I love travelling.
What is your biggest tip to achieve the most in life?
Speaking for myself, perhaps the most important step I took was a risky leap 12 years ago when I was asked by someone to move with them to Australia for three years.
I had not known them for long and had few savings, but I knew without a doubt that I wanted to go with them.
Twelve years later, we are married, and it was that risk that ultimately enabled me to discover my love of botany and get a master’s degree in ecology.
That and a morning cup of tea upon waking up. As all fellow tea lovers know, the importance of this cannot be overstated.
What is the best social you’ve been on at Arbtech?
I am yet to venture onto one, but I am immensely excited to do so!
I have heard great things about a past trip to Austria.
Where do you want to travel to next?
I love travelling and have been gradually ticking off my list of places I want to visit.
However, I still have many more to go, none of which have a particularly strict order.
Finland is exceptionally high on the list due to my childhood (and continued) love of The Moomins, but Iceland and Canada are also front-runners.
Rather closer to home, there are so many beautiful places in Britain that I have yet to explore, including the Lake District and the National Park in Pembrokeshire.
In terms of recurring visits, one of my favourite cities in the world is Edinburgh, and I endeavour to get there every year.
When I left Australia, I left behind many wonderful people, and I attempt to make it out there to see them every couple of years.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
Based on my understanding of the company, I see myself still firmly within Arbtech and creeping happily up toward the role of senior ecologist if I have not already done so.
I am also very keen to increase my FISC rating from 3 to a 4 or even 5.
Ideally, I would also like to obtain a few protected species licences.
What is a goal you have for the future, in or out of work?
My middle to long-term goals essentially boil down to me developing and enhancing my skills to become the best botanist that I can be.
I am particularly passionate about freshwater habitats, and even more specifically, freshwater habitats and would quite like them to be a feature.
My very long-term plan is ultimately to find myself in ecological restoration or rewilding projects, be that in the form of woodland creation, wetland/pond creation, grassland management or some other habitat entirely.
If it covers me in mud, I will probably thoroughly enjoy it. As my husband once commented: ‘‘you really would be much happier living as a goblin in a swamp, wouldn’t you?’’
Johnny joined Arbtech in November 2025.
