What made you choose Arbtech?
Fresh out of university, I struggled for eight months to find somewhere willing to give me a chance to prove myself.
When I first heard about the internship at Arbtech, I saw that they offered an opportunity like no other: to start a career in ecology from nothing.
From researching the company, the trust you are given to get on with your work without timesheets is one of the main things that stood out.
What do you love most about the company?
It’s really cliché, but genuinely, it’s the people.
From fellow interns who decided to seek different paths and those who have continued as graduates alongside me to my mentors and everyone I work with on a semi-regular basis, everyone has been so friendly, helpful and kind.
The flexible working is a big bonus too, even if most days I’m working 9-5, knowing that if something does come up, it’s not a big deal is so reassuring.
What do you do when you are not at Arbtech?
I’m big into football, whether that’s watching my team Southampton FC, playing 5-a-side weekly, or being a slight Football Manager addict.
I try to get outside on walks as much as possible, taking my camera and trying to snap pictures of whatever wildlife I can stumble across.
Occasionally, I’ll find the time to travel to see and photograph particular animal species, including my most recent trip to Brownsea Island to see red squirrels.
I also enjoy video games that allow me to be creative, whether that’s building or designing things, or building a story or narrative through what I’m playing.
What is your biggest tip to achieve the most in life?
Keeping active – especially if you can do it with other people – keeps your brain exercised and refreshed, and gives you the power to be productive and focused.
For me, team sports such as football give me such a mental boost that positively impacts everything else I do.
What is the best social you’ve been on at Arbtech?
Having been here not too long, I’m yet to experience some of the bigger socials infamous inside the company.
The initial internship social was a really nice way to break the ice with my colleagues, as well as just casually getting a meal and/or a drink with my colleagues throughout the BERS season.
Where do you want to travel to next?
It’s a long list, including Madagascar, Yosemite, the Amazon, Botswana, Australia, Iceland, and many others.
Basically, anywhere with cool wildlife and impressive landscapes where I can take my camera and experience.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
Professionally, I hope to have made significant progress towards – if not already have acquired – protected species licenses, such as a newt licence, alongside strong botany skills.
I want to specialise in reptiles and amphibians, and develop as a go-to in that niche.
What is a goal you have for the future, in or out of work?
I really want to be involved in conservation work, both in the UK and abroad.
I’m super passionate about not only protecting our natural landscapes in the UK but also restoring lost natural processes through avenues such as rewilding.
Outside of work, I’m desperate to become a homeowner, and I’m very excited about having my own garden to benefit myself, family, friends and biodiversity.
Oliver joined Arbtech in October 2025.
