What made you choose Arbtech?
I have a close friend that worked for Arbtech before I joined and spent many years listening enviously about all the interesting work and fun socials that happened at the company.
I then worked for the team as a subcontractor doing bat surveys and finally got to experience just how enjoyable the work was first-hand.
So, when the opportunity to become a permanent member of the team came along, it was an enthusiastic yes from me!
What do you love most about the company?
Arbtech’s constant drive to improve.
I’ve worked for so many companies in the past that would talk a big talk about wanting change, but when the time comes to actually make changes, they would shy away because it was too challenging. Arbtech has a much more positive attitude to change.
We’re genuinely looking for new ways to do better all the time and we don’t take ‘but it’s difficult’ as an excuse. In the time I’ve been here, I’ve put forward so many of my ideas and look forward to being just as involved in the future.
What do you do when you are not at Arbtech?
When not working, I love to keep active.
I do a variety of martial arts including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing, I take a ski trip most winters, and I play touch rugby too (full contact is a bit too much on top of all the fighting).
I’m also a bit of a nerd and can talk for hours about Marvel and Star Wars if you let me. I’m also slowly learning Spanish, but don’t expect me to do a whole phone call in it just yet!
What is your biggest tip to achieve the most in life?
It’s cliché, but healthy body, healthy mind.
I’m a firm believer that a good bit of exercise and a few vegetables help people to achieve their fullest potential.
What is the best social you’ve been on at Arbtech?
It wasn’t an entirely social event, but I’d definitely say ArbCon 2024.
Being spread across the country, we can’t always be in the same place at once, and having three days to learn and party with everyone was amazing.
Plus, Rob very kindly put on a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class for us while we were there, and oddly enough, fighting your coworkers is good for team bonding!
Where do you want to travel to next?
My travel bucket list is stupidly long, and it’s tough to pick a single destination.
New Zealand, Japan and Iceland are all top contenders, but if money and time weren’t factors, Madagascar would probably be my top pick.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
Definitely still at Arbtech, playing a key part in the leadership of the company, particularly its future talent.
But I’d love to make sure I’m a stronger ecologist personally as well; I’d hope that in five years, I have a protected species licence or two.
What is a goal you have for the future, in or out of work?
Outside of work, I’m hoping to get more belts in my various martial arts. I’m only a few away from being a black belt in kickboxing, so hopefully I’ll have that soon.
In work, a big part of my job is helping to turn the ecologists of the future into the ecologists of the present through our intern scheme. Every single person I help transition into the field is a goal achieved for me, and I want to help many more.
I firmly believe that our intern scheme is already industry-leading, but I want to turn it into an intern scheme that any company – regardless of their size or industry – would be envious of.
Matt joined Arbtech in January 2024.
