About me
After many years working as a manager for a large London housing association, I switched career in late 2017 to set up my own business as a garden designer and horticulturalist specialising in gardens in North East London.
In recent years what began as a hobby grew into a passion. I took evening classes at Capel Manor College to complete the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development in 2011 - 2013 and the Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance in 2013 - 14. During this time I was a gardening volunteer at RHS Hyde Hall gardens near Chelmsford.
I went on to study garden design at Capel Manor, completing the Plants and Planting Design Advanced Certificate in 2016 and Principles and Practice Advanced Certificate in 2017.
In 2016 I took a six-month sabbatical to work with a friend who ran a gardening business, work on two show gardens at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show and complete some local garden design projects. When the opportunity to take redundancy arose in the autumn of 2017, all the stars seemed aligned and I finally took the plunge to set up my own business offering garden design and aftercare services in North East London.
I continue to improve my skills and knowledge through continuous professional development. In Autumn 2020 I completed the Construction Design Diploma at the prestigious London College of Garden Design to improve my understanding of using hard landscaping materials in garden design.
I enjoy the community of gardeners, designers and landscapers in east London, at trade shows and the local Society of Garden Designers group. I'm a Pre-Registered member of the Society of Garden Designers which supports my continuing professional development. I'm also involved in the award-winning Walthamstow Village in Bloom group and Forest Flora, a not for profit group promoting and co-ordinating community gardening in Waltham Forest.
Society of Garden Designers www.sgd.org.uk/
Forest Flora www.forestflora.co.uk/