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Welcoming Katie Erin Lewis to Arb Innovators

Updated: 3 days ago

From a chance conversation at an Ancient Tree Forum field visit… to becoming our first ever employee.


We’re pleased to officially welcome Katie Erin Lewis to Arb Innovators as our first Graduate Arboricultural Consultant.



This marks a significant milestone for the business.


We’re no longer a one-person consultancy.


We’re a team.



A Non-Traditional Route Into Arboriculture


Katie holds a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science.

A more conventional career path might have taken her straight into ecology (yes, we essentially pinched her from the dark side 😉).


But over the last few years, her interest in trees has grown fast.

Field visits. Survey work. Ancient trees. Practical decision-making.


When the opportunity came up to join Arb Innovators, she didn’t hesitate.


That decision reflects exactly what we believe as a consultancy:

there is no single “correct” route into arboriculture.


Why This Matters to Us

At Arb Innovators, we’re committed to:


  • Developing young professionals


  • Supporting long-term succession in arboriculture


  • Making space for people who didn’t follow a traditional arboricultural pathway



Katie’s First Month at Arb Innovators


Katie’s first four weeks have been… busy!


In her first month, she has:


  • Attended two careers events with the Arboricultural Association and Green Jobs for Nature, speaking directly to students and early-career professionals considering a future in arboriculture.


  • Assisted on five BS5837 tree surveys, including two large-scale solar developments in Gloucestershire and Staffordshire, identifying several ancient oaks and veteran field maples along the way.


  • Contributed to tree condition and risk assessments for both a Town Council and a Parish Council.


  • Visited two iconic trees: the Major Oak and the Great Plane of Ely.


  • Started getting to grips with GenAI as part of our evolving digital arboricultural workflow.


Not bad for month one.


Is There Space for You in Arboriculture?


If you’re a student or early-career professional wondering whether arboriculture is “open” to you, even if you didn’t study trees at college or university, the answer is simple:


Yes. There is.


The industry needs people with curiosity, critical thinking, and the confidence to ask better questions, not just those who followed a single, established path.


Katie’s journey is proof of that.


Looking Ahead

We’re excited to see Katie develop as an arboricultural consultant, contribute to complex projects, and help shape how modern arboriculture is delivered, blending solid tree knowledge with digital tools and clear thinking.


Welcome to Arb Innovators, Katie.


This is only the beginning 🌳

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