Association News

National Annual General Meeting 2022

On Thursday 15 September 2022 the British Association of Landscape industries held its National Annual General Meeting (AGM) at The Vox, Resorts World, Birmingham.

Over 50 members joined Executive Board Directors, including Immediate Past Chair Matt O’Conner, Vice-Chair Nigel Bowcock, Honorary Treasurer Richard Stone and Chief Executive Wayne Grills for the formal meeting, which was followed by two informative and educational presentations delivered by guest speakers Sophie Stephens, Head of Environment and Sustainability, Ground Control discussing Ground Control’s journey to becoming carbon net zero, including useful tips on how members can begin their journey and promote corporate sustainability within their business; and Rob Neil OBE, Director, Krystal Alliance talking about diversity in the workplace and how members can create a more inclusive workplace.

During the AGM, the propositions passed and approved included the adoption of the financial accounts for the year ending 31st March 2022, the proposal to increase membership fees; the election of Board Directors offering themselves for re-election and the re-appointment of Auditors Benee Consulting.

National Chair Richard Kay has retired from the Board. The Board of Directors and the team at Landscape House extend their gratitude to Richard for his support and guidance over the numerous years he has served the Association and Industry. Matt O’Conner will therefore continue as Immediate Past Chair. A further four Board Directors retired at this year’s AGM – Rosemary Coldstream, Clive Ivil, Richard Kay and Tony Woods. Again, the Board and the team at Landscape House extend their thanks for the support and time they have given to the Association.

Members unanimously accepted the Director’s recommendations to appoint Nigel Bowcock, Acre Landscapes as National Chair and Tessa Johnstone, Johnstone Landscapes as Vice-Chair.

The Board extends a warm welcome to its four new Directors – Jake Catling, The Landscaping Consultants; Richard Gill, Green-tech; Jenny Hall, W Crowders and Sons; and Tim Howell, Mitie.

Jake Catling

Owner/Director The Landscaping Consultants Jake is the South Thames Regional Chair and has been heavily involved in the development of the BALI Academy initiative, which he hopes to continue. He also hopes to continue his focus towards further supporting GoLandscape and recruitment across the industry.

Richard Gill

Sales Director Green-tech Richard has a long history with the Association and is current Vice-Chair of the Yorkshire and North East Committee, as well as a GoLandscape Ambassador. He aims to continue his focus across these areas, as well as supporting the promotion of the Association.

Jenny Hall

Head of Sales and Estimating W Crowder and Sons Jenny, part of a 7th generation family business, with 23 years industry experience has a passion for customer service and brings experience of collaborative working and strategic planning.

Tim Howell

Managing Director Mitie Tim is currently the Chair of BALI-NCF. He would like to see a balance of ensuring the Association is listening to larger organisations, but also ensure these organisations give back, especially in areas such as health and safety, and emerging technologies. He is also keen to support initiatives, including GoLandscape.

Tackle more with a Toro. World-class machinery for every job.

Toro brings you unparalleled productivity, durability and all-season versatility with its range of grounds machinery. With the Groundsmaster 3300 out-front rotary and LT-F3000 triple flail mowers, the Workman GTX Lithium-Ion utility vehicle and the compact and lightweight LT2240 triple mower, we’ve got you covered.

reesinkturfcare.co.uk

Get MORE from your turfcare partner this year:

More products . More advice . More training . More finance

Reesink UK LTD is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Images shown for illustration only.

TDAG, and a series of webinars with Oracle Solicitors covering a range of legal topics across employment, personal injury and tax.

Mental Health

Our mental health first aid initiative has also been continuing to support members throughout the summer to upskill their teams and make their workplaces a safer and more inclusive space for all.

Places are still available for our October and November courses. Take advantage of our half price offer and secure a place for your business.

bali.org.uk/events/training-courses/

Beth Chatto Garden Tour

From strength to strength for regional events

Our members have enjoyed an incredibly busy summer and, despite the challenges posed by this years unprecedented weather conditions, have prevailed to pull together some fantastic meetings and events across the country.

Networking fun

The summer has seen some creative networking with events including a Yorkshire & North East go karting afternoon and a private tour of the legendary Beth Chatto Gardens with networking dinner, and live talks, demonstrations and a tour at Griffin Nurseries.

Looking forward, we have some fantastic events coming up for members and non-members, including ‘Explore the electric future with our South West members’, where we will be showcasing the most current equipment and vehicles available to members, giving you the chance to try the products for yourself and see what will benefit your business moving forwards.

Webinar series

We have seen webinars featuring specialists on several subjects including guidance on avoiding disputes with independent expert Leslie Hewitt, how to specify and use preservative treated wood products for landscapers with Gordon Ewbank Director of the WPA, and create time, reduce errors, and scale your profits in as little as 90 days with Nick Ruddle.

We are continuing to develop our range of webinars, and have some interesting topics coming up over the next few months including protecting and planting trees in development projects/ construction with Jeremy Barrell from

Feedback from previous participants

“Absolutely incredible course - Bianca you were outstanding. Totally pleased to have been able to do this. I hope it will help others and myself too.”

“A really wonderful but hard-hitting course. Bianca was just superb and was professional but nurtured us through a difficult course too. Really good content and it has encouraged to go further with how I use the skills learned.”

“The course was very helpful, really feel that I learned a lot in the space of 2 day - Bianca Jones was amazing throughout the course and came across extremely knowledgeable, so a big thank you from me!”

Looking forward

We look forward to many more exciting events and exclusive access tours for the remainder of the year, with our regional committees currently planning for bigger and better events each month. Please visit page 50 to see all upcoming regional events.

If you would like to be a part of this creative and influential process, then we encourage you to engage with your local committee. Your Regional Support Officer Francesca Bienek will happily help you to connect with other members locally.

francesca.bienek@bali.org.uk

Celebrating

50 AMAZING YEARS

David Spencer, Michael Chance, Peter Killen

Nigel Bowcock and Paul Downer The Score entertained late into the evening Easigrass

Guests from Adtrak enjoying the evening

Association members, current and past Board Directors and Chairs joined the Landscape House team at The Vox, Resorts World, Birmingham for a fantastic evening to celebrate the Associations 50th anniversary

Recognising the gravity of recent events, the evening started with a 1 minute silence to reflect and remember Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This was followed by a toast to all those dear to us who have passed over recent years.

Wayne Grills also led a toast to all the past Chairs who were able to attend the evening, including Peter Jennins, John O Newton, Bill Peebles, David Spencer, Richard Gardiner, Paul Cowell, Robert Field, Paul Downer, and Immediate Past Chair Matt O'Conner.

Robert and Dee Field

Following a 3 course meal, the evening kicked up a gear thanks to the amazing band – The Score – who kept guests entertained until the early hours playing a mixed set, which got everyone off their seats and onto the dancefloor, culminating in Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis.

It was a fantastic evening and the team at Landscape House are delighted everyone who attended had such a great night not only celebrating 50 years, but looking forward to the promise of the next 50!

Richard Gardiner and Lynn Skidmore

Ricky Whiteman, Tessa Johnstone, Emily Feeney

(L-R) Wayne Grills, Richard Stone, Paul Downer, Matt O'Conner, Richard Kay

Farewell from previous Chairman Richard Kay

Iam privileged to have been the Association’s Chair for the past two years and feel honoured to have followed in the footsteps of many industry legends.

I have been involved with the British Association of Landscape Industries for over 20 years, starting at grassroots level representing Green-tech on the Yorkshire and North East regional Committee. This led to me joining the Board, and in 2020, taking on the role of National Chair. During my time with the Association, I have witnessed the huge strides in member benefits and professionalism which have been delivered over the last 20 years.

Reflecting on my chairmanship

The end of my term as your elected National Chair has gone immensely quick. It goes without saying that my chairmanship was not what I had in mind. Becoming Chair six months into a global pandemic set the tone for many virtual meetings, board meetings, Regional Connect gatherings, AGM’s and the first virtual National Landscape Awards.

During my time as Chair, I am pleased to report that the strategy and board objectives, from the business plan, have delivered the following over the last three years: • Growing the membership • Increased member benefits and support

• Led many collaborative industry initiatives • Collaborated with the Ornamental

Horticulture Round Table Group (OHRG) to commission an independent report “Growing a

Green Economy: The importance of ornamental horticulture and landscaping” • Held the Association’s first

Diversity and Inclusion event • National Contractors Forum reporting on key industry metrics • GoLandscape going from strength to strength • Produced the Association’s new three-year strategic plan 2022-2025

The Association’s new overarching strategic themes reflect many of the core values which the Association was founded upon. Raising standards of training and workmanship remains core to today’s values and is reflected in our stringent vetting and regular re-vetting of members. But this key purpose is delivered alongside a portfolio of membership benefits, including the education, skills, and careers initiative GoLandscape; an active and supportive regional membership network, technical and business support and information, Health & Safety and training accreditation through ROLO and LISS/CSCS; and the annual National Landscape Awards, the largest in Europe.

50 years of landscaping excellence

This year marks the Association’s 50th anniversary and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate all that has been accomplished in partnership with our members. The Association has grown into a UK powerhouse of more than 900 members across nine membership categories with a much larger industry and political focus.

The British Association of Landscape Industries is a grassroots organisation with a national focus. The Association’s success is a great testament to our commitment to providing a first-class membership organisation.

Thank you

As my time as chair draws to a close, I feel indebted to the whole of the Association. BALI is supported by high calibre staff at Landscape House, committed board directors, a dedicated National Landscape Awards judging panel, enthusiastic regional committees, and an expert team of QSR and vetting officers.

The Association is in great shape

This commitment, combined with constant innovation, effort, perseverance, versatility, and a best-in-class mindset, will see the Association continue to succeed over the next 50 years and I, for one, wish it and its membership continued good fortune.

Richard J Kay

National Chairman 2020-2022 Green-tech Chairman 1994- 2022