An ecology consultancy based in Chester is set to revolutionize the industry with their latest addition to the team, focusing on the integration of AI into their operations.
Arbtech, a consultancy comprised of over 100 arboriculturists and ecologists, has appointed a Chief Technology Officer to lead the charge in harnessing technological advancements, particularly AI, to drive innovation within the ecology sector.
Arbtech is the UK’s number one ecological and arboricultural consultancy. Since 2005, the business has provided its services to homeowners, architects, planning consultants, project managers, and property developers nationwide, working on more than 50,000 projects since its inception.
It is currently the only UK consultancy that offers a refund to clients who are unable to secure planning permission based on their advice.
Now, the experts say the industry is under-using AI tools, and their new Chief Technology Officer Ed Day aims to enhance efficiency, accuracy and overall impact within the sector through leveraging AI.
They say planning documents, survey results and environmental monitoring data are all underused within the ecology industry, due to sheer volume and complexity of the reports.
New hire Ed says his primary role at Arbtech will be to harness the power of AI and unlock insights hidden within the data of their reports.
Ed Day, Chief Technology Officer at Arbtech said: “For the past five years, I’ve functioned as an AI consultant, helping businesses across various sectors integrate and leverage artificial intelligence to optimise their operations and decision-making. This involved everything from developing custom AI models to strategising on AI implementation roadmaps. I’ve also worked extensively within the United States.
“My interest in ecology was initially sparked through my role as a senior lecturer. Several of my students pursued dissertations focusing on forensic ecology, which revealed the fascinating intersection between ecological principles and investigative science.
“Rob’s vision for the company and his recognition of the untapped potential for AI within the ecological consulting sector resonated deeply with me. The opportunity to apply my expertise in a domain where AI is still relatively new is incredibly exciting.
When speaking on the lack of using AI within the industry, Ed said: “I firmly believe the ecological consulting industry is significantly underutilising the potential of AI tools. Rob’s recognition of this gap is precisely what makes Arbtech such an exciting place to be. There’s a wealth of opportunities to leverage AI to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and overall impact within this sector.
“AI can be used to automate the analysis of data, identify patterns and trends that might be missed by human observers, and generate predictive models to inform decision-making. By leveraging AI, Arbtech can enhance the accuracy and efficiency of its services, ultimately delivering better outcomes for its clients and the environment.”
Commenting on the recruitment, Robert Oates, Arbtech’s founder and CEO said: “As we close in on our 20th anniversary, I’ve never been more excited about the future.
“It is so important we prioritise innovation and keep moving forwards. Hiring a new Chief Technology Officer is going to help us push forwards and make sure we are working as efficiently as possible, noting all trends and helping our clients by providing them with insightful reports.”
Arbtech is a leading provider of arboricultural and ecological services in the UK. Established in 2005, the company has earned a reputation for its commitment to transparency, reliability, and speed in delivering solutions that help clients secure planning consent quickly and with minimal hassle.
With a team of experts strategically located across England and Wales, Arbtech is dedicated to providing exceptional service and building lasting relationships with its clients.
