What made you choose Arbtech?
From the outset, Arbtech came across as a very down-to-earth, people-focused and transparent company.
Even at the beginning of the hiring process, everyone was open and genuine with me, and they were incredibly honest about what was expected and how the company operates.
Having a team of people around you with a straightforward, no-nonsense approach creates great clarity and was instantly very appealing!
Being able to manage your own time and choose the projects you take on was the ultimate winner for me. Arbtech offers the perfect work-life balance, and as someone with a young family, this is a game-changer.
On top of that, I couldn’t find anyone in the company with a bad word to say about it!
What do you love most about the company?
Arbtech gives you complete control over managing and scheduling your own projects, and the variety of work available is vast! This autonomy allows you to fully engage with clients and landowners, providing a personal service that is appreciated by the client and also rewarding for the ecologist.
As a national company, the wide range of projects is very exciting and offers opportunities to grow in many disciplines.
Aside from the day-to-day projects, the supportive and positive culture is apparent from day one. You really get a sense that you are in control of your own destiny, and the harder you work, the more you are rewarded.
What do you do when you are not in Arbtech?
I love getting outdoors and hiking around the Dorset hills, especially the Isle of Purbeck.
My son has just reached the age where he can walk, so showing him the joys of nature is incredibly rewarding. He is happiest when outdoors, so it’s a win-win for everyone!
I’m also a big fan of racket sports – particularly badminton – where I play in the Dorset league with my local team. I’ve always been extremely competitive, so I jump at any opportunity to play other sports as well.
What is the biggest tip to achieve the most in life?
I think it’s very important to figure out what makes you happiest and indulge in those things as much as possible. Being in a good place mentally puts you in the right frame of mind to focus on your goals.
I’m also a big believer in karma – if you’re kind and help others, it will come back around. That boost of support can help you achieve the little things that contribute to your bigger goals.
What is the best social you’ve been on at Arbtech?
I haven’t had the pleasure of attending any yet, but they sound like great fun!
Where do you want to travel to next?
I would love to experience a tropical rainforest, so Costa Rica is high on my list!
On the flip side, I’m also a big fan of Japanese culture, so a trip to Tokyo and the rural northern areas of Japan would be a dream come true.
I’d definitely need to brush up on both my Spanish and Japanese before either trip though; I’m awful at foreign languages!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
In five years, I’d like to be able to apply for and hold my own EPS bat licenses, which would be a big step forward in my career and a great way to support the business.
I’ve also been working towards my smooth snake and sand lizard licenses, but that’s taken a back seat recently. Hopefully, I’ll have made significant progress on that as well!
What is a goal you have for the future, in or out of work?
One item on my bucket list is to own a two-seater convertible sports car.
With a young family, this is a long-term goal, but it’s definitely something to aim for! Progressing in my career will help make this a reality sooner rather than later, so it’s top of my list.
As a family, our goal is to move into a larger house in a more rural location. Being as close to nature as possible is very important to us and would be the cherry on top of the cake. Similar to the above, career progression will play a big role in achieving this, so it’s a key focus for the future.
Laurence joined Arbtech in January 2025.
