Chief Executive’s Report

Focus on growth over the political summer

We are all feeling the immense loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who has led our country for 70 years with grace, dignity and strength. As Nigel has said, The Queen was passionate about the outdoors, something we all share across our industry. Our thoughts remain with His Majesty King Charles III and the entire Royal Family at this sad time.

Over the past few months, there has been so much focus on the politics in Westminster, as the Conservative Party voted on the next Prime Minister, with Liz Truss emerging victorious as the UK’s new leader.

She is now charged with steering the UK through a cost-of-living crisis, levelling up the country and driving us towards net zero. All while war rages in Eastern Europe.

This choice made by Conservative members will therefore impact on every community, household and

business. Our finances, our future ambitions, our quality of life, will all be defined by this decision.

That’s why the idea of tax cuts has been such a hot topic. But here we urge caution: tax cuts may be popular, but they are not a comprehensive solution to the cost-of-living crisis. Because they don’t address the underlying causes of weak growth - and it’s growth we need to boost the UK’s economy.

Sustainable growth. Shared growth. Not growth that relies only on government or household consumption, which is considered to be risky. Nor measures designed to fuel spending during a period of high inflation, which will likely feed it and add to the public debt.

We need government and business to work together pursuing clear opportunities for greater growth. The CBI reiterated this message in an open letter to the leadership candidates from the Director-General, Tony Danker, and will be working hard to ensure that there isn’t stasis over the summer, and the message is front of mind with officials and in day-one packs for the new Cabinet.

REC launch new report

A new study from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) says that labour and skills shortages risk significant damage to the UK economy, reducing our productivity and ability to invest, grow and raise wages sustainably. Inaction could lose the UK almost the equivalent of the entire defence budget.

With no action to reduce the shortages, the progress on levelling up, delivering economic growth, and the transition to net zero would be jeopardised.

The REC’s report, Overcoming shortages: How to create a sustainable labour market, provides a number of recommendations for both

business and government on what can be done and urges both firms and politicians to put workforce at the heart of their thinking.

Whatever the outcome of the above, there is likely to be tougher times ahead and your Association will be here to help support you and your business.

Membership engagement

Following a great show season with many Association members winning a myriad of show medals, I would like to congratulate every one of them for ensuring that our industry is continually promoted as a professional industry and for keeping the general public and business engaged in the fantastic industry that we are in.

I have been undertaking a number of member visits as well as the rest of the team here at Landscape House, whether it be meeting with members at their business, shows and exhibitions or as part of one of a number of forum meetings.

Special thanks go out to Mark Gregory at Landform Consultants for his support and help at both RHS Chelsea Flower Show and RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival and to Lee Bestall and Bestall and Co along with CED Stone, Lindum Turf and Hedges Direct for the superb feature installation at RHS Tatton Flower Show as part of the Association’s 50th anniversary celebrations, which created a huge amount of interest at the show and for the Association, from the general public.

Membership Renewal

Membership renewal has gone extremely well, and I am pleased to report that we are well ahead of last year, as well as finishing the year with well over 920 Accredited Members and over 1,800 total. Having approved 47 new members since April this year, we also have 15 members going through the application and approval process. This is great news and shows that there is a great appetite for the Association and what it can offer its members.

National Landscape Awards

The National Landscape Awards is looking like another fantastic year. This year also sees another high number of first-time entrants submitting projects into the Awards, proving that the largest landscaping Awards in Europe still succeed in entering the history books 46 years on.

The Adjudicators led by Chair of the Judging Panel John Melmoe, spent the summer visiting applicable entries and undertook final deliberations at Landscape House at the end of August. This year’s winners were announced early September - please see page 28 for the full list of winners, and how to book your tickets for this year’s ceremony on 2nd December 2022 at JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, London.

Congratulations to all those that have won awards and wishing you all the very best for those coveted Principal and Special Awards, and of course the Grand Award, on the day of the ceremony.

Membership Satisfaction Survey

The Association will be sending out its annual membership satisfaction survey in the next month or so. This is a great opportunity to feedback your thoughts on your membership with the Association and to shape our business plan and focus on you, the member. I look forward to seeing your feedback and how you feel the team at Landscape House are working on your behalf. As always, this is your opportunity to feedback on a whole host of services and products that you have as part of your membership benefits including the staff at Landscape House who, I hope, you feel represent you as a member in the most professional of ways.

Events to watch out for

Watch the event calendar for what we are up to in the Autumn including industry shows and exhibitions/ events along with a whole range of regional events and webinars already in the diary. If you’re unsure what your regional committee have planned, please feel free to contact them to ask, call Tina or Sharn from the membership team at Landscape House, or see what’s on at

bali.org.uk/events.

We look forward to seeing many of you at these events!

Whilst the industry seems to be booming at present with great order books ahead, we shouldn’t forget of course, those who are not quite as fortunate and those that have already experienced real hardship and, in some cases, have had to close down their business and let staff go as it has no longer been viable or possible to keep the business going. I would remind all our members that at times like these we should turn to the myriad of help and support provided by the charities in our sector to see if they can help.

50th installation at RHS Tatton wowed the crowds

Landscape House Team

Like many businesses, we have experienced the loss of some of the team and have been busy recruiting their replacements so, I would ask for your patience whilst we get new members of the team up to speed and be aware that we will look to continue our excellent service in the interim.

As always, thank you for your continued support and promotion of the association.

Best wishes, Wayne Grills Chief Executive