We're the only ecology consultancy that will refund your money if you don't get planning based on our advice (terms apply)

Our Team

Katie Whitfield

What made you choose Arbtech?

Working for Arbtech was recommended to me by a graduate ecologist here. From this, I applied to be a sub-consultant doing bat surveys last year.

Working as a subbie made me really passionate about ecology work, and from then on, I strived to gain more knowledge and skills in this field. When I saw the BERS intern role at Arbtech, I knew I had to go for it!

Arbtech was a standout company to me due to offering such a wide range of opportunities and experiences that you would not find elsewhere.

After six months of hard work and determination, I was offered a full-time job with the company as a graduate ecologist.

What do you love most about the company?

What I love most about the company is the ecologists and other workers within it!

I always felt comfortable throughout the internship to ask for help with I needed it, and this was always met with real passion and enthusiasm from other ecologists.

Although we work from home, there is a real sense of support, and I wouldn’t have developed such knowledge and confidence without this.

I also love the freedom that comes with this role. You are in control of your own diary and trusted to do your job to a high standard in a way that works for you.

What do you do when you are not in Arbtech?

I love to be outdoors whenever I get the chance.

I’m in the process of finishing my MSc in wildlife conservation – which has included a lot of screen time – so any opportunity to go out on a walk and reconnect with nature is taken!

I also love to spend time with my partner and friends and will always take every opportunity to visit my family, three dogs and (of course) the tortoise.

My favourite pastime at the moment is going to my and my partner’s favourite coffee shop, which sells the best pastries.

I’m also very keen on doing yoga and climbing whenever I can.

What is the biggest tip to achieve the most in life?

Get involved with as much as you can!

Throughout the years, I have made sure to take every opportunity I can to gain confidence and skills, even if they were massively outside my comfort zone.

Although some things are scary and can give you major imposter syndrome, some of your biggest and proudest achievements come from getting yourself out there in those situations and being able to say ‘I did that’.

I would not be in the position I am in today without sticking to this advice.

What is the best social you’ve been on at Arbtech?

As I am new to the company, I’m yet to experience an Arbtech social.

I have, however, had the opportunity to go for coffee meet-ups with other graduate ecologists and my mentors. Having time put aside to meet up and work together is really great when you often work from home, and it really helps you feel supported.

Where do you want to travel to next?

I would love to do a big trip to South East Asia and explore places such as the Philippines, Thailand, Laos and so on.

I am hoping that I can also save up to go to Canada to visit a close friend of mine who has moved out there.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

I hope to see myself progressing within the ecology field, gaining licenses for protected species in the UK, and gradually moving up to senior levels within the company.

As I’m new to the company, I can’t wait to see my confidence grow and learn more about all things bats!

In 5 years, I also hope to be living somewhere in Wales close to good hiking spots with my partner and a couple of dogs.

What is a goal you have for the future, in or out of work?

One of my main goals is to get into bat care.

I would love to be able to rescue some bats and help with their release back into the wild. In fact, I actually know someone within this company who is planning to train me up on this!

This past year has been very intense, balancing both my master’s and the internship at Arbtech. Therefore, in my personal life, I want to make sure I put aside more time for myself, whether that’s through going to yoga classes and walks or just having some pyjama days!

I would also love to save up to travel to more places in the world.

Katie joined Arbtech in October 2024.

Job Title

Graduate Ecologist & Junior QC Specialist

Qualifications

  • MSc Wildlife Conservation, University of Chester (In Progress)
  • BSc Zoology, University of Chester

Professional Experience

  • Ecology

Specialist Areas

  • Animal Rescue
  • Hedgehog Welfare and Conservation

Hobbies

    Climbing, Yoga and Spending Time with Family and Friends

More Arbtechers

Meet the other members of our leading ecology and arboriculture team.

Julia Clague-Robinson

Julia Clague-Robinson

Sales Manager
Scott Warren

Scott Warren

Finance Manager
Andy Ward

Andy Ward

Marketing Manager
Craig Williams

Craig Williams

Principal Ecologist & BNG Lead
Natalie Evans

Natalie Evans

Principal Ecologist & Bat Licence Lead
Jonathan Stuttard

Jonathan Stuttard

Principal Ecologist & Herpetofauna Lead
Nicole Gullan

Nicole Gullan

Senior Ecologist
Mel Reid

Mel Reid

Senior Ecologist
Josephine McCarthy

Josephine McCarthy

Consultant Ecologist
Fay Brotherhood

Fay Brotherhood

Consultant Ecologist
Elen Griffin

Elen Griffin

Consultant Ecologist
Merry Anderson

Merry Anderson

Consultant Ecologist
Beth Ellison-Perrett

Beth Ellison-Perrett

Consultant Ecologist
James Fielding

James Fielding

Consultant Ecologist
George Collier-Smith

George Collier-Smith

Consultant Ecologist
Matthew Middle

Matthew Middle

Principal Arboriculturist & BS5837 Lead
Jon Hartley

Jon Hartley

Principal Arboriculturist & Employee Development Lead
Aran Nearn

Aran Nearn

Commerical Lead
Alan Thompson

Alan Thompson

Senior Arboriculturist
Matt Edwards

Matt Edwards

Senior Arboriculturist
Emily Kempson

Emily Kempson

Senior Arboriculturist
Jim Green

Jim Green

Consultant Arboriculturist
Charlie Moore

Charlie Moore

Consultant Arboriculturist
Chris Wren

Chris Wren

Consultant Arboriculturist
Thomas Parkinson

Thomas Parkinson

CAD Technician
Clare Swinburn

Clare Swinburn

Office Manager
Sally Parry

Sally Parry

Senior Sales Advisor
Emma Gray

Emma Gray

Administrator
Donna Swinburn

Donna Swinburn

Administrator
Charlotte Calvert

Charlotte Calvert

Administrator
Ann Balshaw

Ann Balshaw

Administrator
Chris Jarvis

Chris Jarvis

Finance Administrator
Rob Lambert

Rob Lambert

Editor
Gill Broad

Gill Broad

Editor
Harriet Paul

Harriet Paul

Finance Administrator
Hannah Bramley

Hannah Bramley

PA to Robert Oates
Alan Smith

Alan Smith

Consultant Arboriculturist
Michelle Huang

Michelle Huang

Consultant Ecologist
Josie Cooper

Josie Cooper

Consultant Ecologist
Annabel Sharpe

Annabel Sharpe

Consultant Ecologist
Dean Meadows

Dean Meadows

Principal Arboriculturist & Tree Risk Lead
Sally Hall

Sally Hall

Consultant Ecologist
Jessica Sibley

Jessica Sibley

Consultant Ecologist
Rhiannon Jensen-O’Brien

Rhiannon Jensen-O’Brien

Consultant Ecologist
Romany Poole

Romany Poole

Graduate Ecologist
Tom Ramm

Tom Ramm

Arboricultural Surveyor
Marlies Brenninkmeyer

Marlies Brenninkmeyer

Administrator
Abby Smith

Abby Smith

Administrator
Lyric Palmer

Lyric Palmer

Bat Survey Coordinator
Shaun Rowe

Shaun Rowe

Consultant Arboriculturist
Charlie Drapala

Charlie Drapala

Consultant Ecologist
Phil Gower

Phil Gower

Senior Arboriculturist
Rob Dennis

Rob Dennis

Arboricultural Surveyor
Olga Hermann

Olga Hermann

Ecological Surveyor
Jamie-Lee Anderson

Jamie-Lee Anderson

Consultant Ecologist
Chris Poplett

Chris Poplett

Arboricultural Surveyor
Anthony Jones

Anthony Jones

Consultant Arboriculturist
Fearghus Gage

Fearghus Gage

Senior Arboriculturist
Chantae Wells

Chantae Wells

Consultant Ecologist
Alexie Jenkins

Alexie Jenkins

Graduate Ecologist
Hannah Upshall

Hannah Upshall

Graduate Ecologist
Emma Platts

Emma Platts

Graduate Ecologist
Millie Holland

Millie Holland

Graduate Ecologist
Nick Smith

Nick Smith

Graduate Ecologist
Georgia Knight

Georgia Knight

Graduate Ecologist
Jeremy Grout

Jeremy Grout

Consultant Ecologist
Maddy Carter

Maddy Carter

Graduate Ecologist
Kayleigh Davies

Kayleigh Davies

Graduate Ecologist
Anna Dolby

Anna Dolby

Graduate Ecologist
Georgina Rennie

Georgina Rennie

Consultant Ecologist
Tom Baron

Tom Baron

Senior Arboriculturist
Harley Stone

Harley Stone

Consultant Ecologist
Leah Cook

Leah Cook

Consultant Ecologist
Jade Lemm

Jade Lemm

Consultant Ecologist
Oliver Bevilacqua

Oliver Bevilacqua

Consultant Ecologist
Robbie MacKenzie

Robbie MacKenzie

Principal Ecologist
Jamie Bolton

Jamie Bolton

Finance Administrator
Annalea Moulton

Annalea Moulton

Administrator
Codie Schofield

Codie Schofield

Administrator
Abby Pidgen

Abby Pidgen

Graduate Ecologist
Kelly Clarke

Kelly Clarke

Consultant Ecologist
Matt Halligan

Matt Halligan

Intern and BERS Lead
Isla Beech

Isla Beech

Administrator
Kerris Taylor

Kerris Taylor

Graduate Ecologist
Madison Sellar

Madison Sellar

Graduate Ecologist
David Hill-Chambers

David Hill-Chambers

Graduate Ecologist
Carly Preen

Carly Preen

Graduate Ecologist
Richard Weaver

Richard Weaver

Consultant Ecologist
Harry Brindle

Harry Brindle

Graduate Ecologist
Emma Taylor

Emma Taylor

Graduate Ecologist & Junior QC Specialist
Nic Baxter

Nic Baxter

Graduate Ecologist
Amber Williams

Amber Williams

Graduate Ecologist
Arthur Mytum

Arthur Mytum

Graduate Ecologist
Phillip Wooding

Phillip Wooding

Graduate Ecologist
Vicki Breakell

Vicki Breakell

Graduate Ecologist
Harry Switala

Harry Switala

Graduate Ecologist
Callum Taylor

Callum Taylor

Senior Ecologist

Are you sure you want to leave without a free quote?

Get a Quote

No thanks, I don't need a quote