A Chester-based ecological consultancy, Arbtech, has been recognised as one of the best places to work in the UK, securing a spot on The Sunday Times’ 2024 edition of the Best Places to Work list. The list, compiled in partnership with employee satisfaction experts WorkL, analysed 70,000 UK organisations, evaluating them based on six key factors: reward and recognition, instilling pride, information sharing, empowerment, wellbeing, and job satisfaction.
Arbtech, specialising in ecological surveys that support planning applications, was included in the Best Medium Organisations category for companies with between 50 and 249 employees. The consultancy, led by CEO Robert Oates, has gained a reputation for putting employees first, offering a range of generous benefits aimed at fostering a happy, motivated, and loyal workforce.
Robert Oates, the driving force behind Arbtech, is committed to making the company the number one career destination in the ecology sector. His approach centres on offering fair salaries, maximum flexibility, and creating a work environment where employees feel valued and motivated. Oates believes that prioritising employee wellbeing leads to a positive workplace culture with low staff turnover and a team willing to go the extra mile for clients and colleagues alike.
The perks of working at Arbtech are extensive. Employees enjoy a 40-day holiday allowance, subsidised gym memberships, and free Fitbits. They also have access to a range of free subscriptions, including Audible and Pret A Manger, as well as an unlimited fund for Continued Professional Development (CPD). In addition, Arbtech runs a ‘Cheers Mate’ scheme, which allows employees to reward one another with bonuses from individual wish lists whenever a colleague goes above and beyond to help out.
Recently, the company introduced a ‘Paid as You Level Up’ scheme, offering bonuses for employees who complete books from a curated reading list designed to enhance both personal and professional development. With surveyors based across the UK, Arbtech also supports remote working, offering employees the flexibility to work from home while maintaining a strong sense of community through all-expenses-paid social events.
Another recent initiative is the introduction of sabbaticals for long-term employees. After five, 10, or 15 years of service, Arbtechers are eligible for a one, three, or six-month break from work, respectively, in exchange for a temporary salary reduction.
Employees at Arbtech have been quick to praise the company’s approach. Nicole Gullan, a Senior Ecologist, highlighted the extensive training opportunities available: “I can’t believe how much training I’ve been lucky enough to receive over the last few years, even gaining a degree in arboriculture that Arbtech paid for.”
Olga Hermann, an Ecological Surveyor, noted the strong sense of team spirit despite the company’s remote work setup: “Although most of us work from home, the daily support between the team and frequent all-paid socials massively brings us together.”
Harley Stone, a Consultant Ecologist, reflected on the company’s management style: “Having worked in other consultancies, the biggest culture shock at Arbtech was the flat management structure, as it makes sharing knowledge and requesting help so accessible.”
Arbtech’s business model has proved successful, with the company assisting over 8,000 projects annually and supporting more than 50,000 projects since its inception in 2005. The consultancy’s services include tree surveys, ecology surveys, biodiversity net gain plans, and various protected species surveys, all crucial for the planning sector.
Robert Oates, speaking on the company’s ethos, remarked, “At this company, employees come first. Every time. Ask the directors of the firm you work at currently what’s at the heart of their business’ strategy and success, and they start talking about client relationships. What they should be talking about is employee relationships.”