2.What Was Your First Ever Job?

Chris Cheffings

1.Whatdoyoudo?

Currently I lead the Terrestrial Evidence Programme: it includes partnerships with a number of NGOs and others to deliver schemes such as the National Bat Monitoring Programme and the Breeding Bird Survey; the team work to try to ensure that these schemes are used and valued widely.

2.What was your first ever job?

I worked at New Farm Crops which bred new varieties of wheat and barley. There was negligible health and safety, lots of dangerous machinery, and we worked non-negotiable 80 hour weeks.

3.What’sthe biggestlessonyouhavelearnedinyour career todate?

You get the best results by believing in other people’s ability.

4.What wouldyou doifyou didn’t work for JNCC?

I might become an archaeologist, or possibly something entirely different if you ask me tomorrow.

5.Whatis yourfavouriteplaceintheworld?

Ladakh. Sitting on a rooftop in Lamayuru, sipping butter tea and listening to women singing while they thresh the barley.

6.Whatis theworld’s bestinvention?

Writing. Whilst some people said that the invention of writing meant that no-one bothered remembering anything anymore, I think it is the most marvelous way of recording and sharing ideas.

7.Whatmakes youproud toworkfor JNCC?

JNCC has a really strong reputation for high quality biodiversity evidence. That requires a lot of dedication from staff, but also opens a lot of doors.

8.Whatdoyoulookfor inaleader?

Someone who really cares about what they are doing and makes everyone around them care too.

9.What’sthemostrewardingpart ofyour job?

Being able to find creative solutions for prospective users of JNCC evidence. Our partner schemes produce wonderful data, and they can be used in answering many questions.

10.Whatis your greatestachievement?

Hopefully it is still in the future.

11.Howdoyou achievea goodwork lifebalance?

I don’t! Ensuring that my son has a happy childhood is my first priority. When I’m not at work I’m fully focused on his interests and plans.

It is still much too difficult to have a full-time job and a family, and societal and cultural norms place greater pressure on mothers to prioritise family. High quality childcare is both financially punishing and hard to find.

12.WhatTV showdoyounever miss?

I don’t have a television, or any other online options. My life is too full to find time for something that might prove too addictive.

13.Whattuneis guaranteedtogetyouonthedancefloor?

A ceilidh will always get me up and dancing.