Here at the Garden of Cosmic Speculation with it’s vast landscapes, sculptures and gardens we are never short of jobs to do. We already have a SXG mower for cutting the lawns and one TXG tractor, so to help with the workload we purchased another TXGS24 23hp subcompact tractor.
Here at the Garden of Cosmic Speculation with it’s vast landscapes, sculptures and gardens we are never short of jobs to do. We already have a SXG mower for cutting the lawns and one TXG tractor, so to help with the workload we purchased another TXGS24 23hp subcompact tractor.
“With the front loader and bucket fitted it’s largely used for excavating and landscaping purposes. It’s also used for towing trailers, transporting grass cuttings and leaves for easy disposal. With the two tractors we can run the PTO’s and systems off one trailer and can unload into a trailer attached to the other tractor. If we can attach something to them, then we can use it.
“With the front loader and bucket fitted it’s largely used for excavating and landscaping purposes. It’s also used for towing trailers, transporting grass cuttings and leaves for easy disposal. With the two tractors we can run the PTO’s and systems off one trailer and can unload into a trailer attached to the other tractor. If we can attach something to them, then we can use it.
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The winners of the 2023 National Landscape Awards have been announced! Congratulations to all the winners, whose incredibly hard work has paid off. I know it will mean an epic afternoon of nerves and celebration at the Awards ceremony in December. The team at Landscape House work incredibly hard to make it a memorable event each year and they always deliver.
This Autumn issue seems particularly full. With lots of in-depth articles that hopefully support what you, the membership, are interested in and will find relevant.
In BALI News you will see that Vice Chair, Adrian Wickham, led a Diversity day at RHS Wisley, working with the RHS to ensure we all deliver on this important agenda. A simple case of collaboration between two Associations, strengthening ties and ensuring more voices are heard. I want to thank the RHS and Mo Kebbay, for hosting this day at such an iconic garden and ensuring we all work together better and to help more people see that landscaping is a wonderful industry. One of the key hosts at the Wisley event was Manoj Malde, one of our Equity Ambassadors, who I met up with at Chelsea back in May to discuss his vibrant contribution to the RHS’ landmark show.
The BALI National AGM has just taken place - my first as Chair of the Association. It was held whilst GroundFest filled the green spaces at Stoneleigh Park. The AGM really is there for you, the membership. It was an opportunity to hear from Wayne Grills as to what the Association has achieved and
what it hopes to undertake in the coming 12 months and for you to ask any questions of the Board or team at Landscape House. It is so good to meet more members each year.
I return to that theme of collaboration. It’s always at the heart of what we do. Get involved if you can on a regional level. There are so many wonderful events to take part in and sometimes it’s just meeting up that makes the magic happen. In July Paul Lynch (Elmtree Garden Contractors and South West Chair) and I met up with a fabulous bunch from the South West region. There were only seven of us at a pub in Bath, but it’s amazing how many collaborations start to happen and the tips you glean when you meet face to face - we even had a couple of TV stars! Please get involved and meet up with some of your colleagues in your area. Check out the upcoming regional events via the website at bali.org.uk/events
As I close, I will now start to look forward to the National Landscape Awards in December but before then, I think we are all due a little late autumn sun and warmth.
Best Wishes,
Tessa Johnstone
Accredited Contractor
East Anglia
• George Thompson (Great Oakley)
Midlands
• Superior Showhomes Services
T/A Sitescapes
Northern Ireland
• Wallace Contracts NI
North Thames
• Bella Landscape Construction
• PD Enterprise Landscapes
• Pehrsson Scott
North West
• Bluma
• Walker Landscape and Design
Scotland
• NWL Contracts T/A Neil Walker Landscaping and Driveways
South West
• AG Miles
T/A Purn Landscapes
Accredited Supplier
East Anglia
• Bespoke Landscaping Co
T/A Steel Landscaping Co
• Sovereign Turf
Midlands
• Metal Wizards
North Thames
• Stoneworld Oxfordshire
North West
• NTB Survey
South Thames
• GreenBlue Urban
DSO
Yorkshire & North East
• The University of Sheffield
Training Provider BALI & ROLO
Midlands
• Train To Safety
International
• Yuchengscape Company
Associate Individual
• Michael Wale
What happened to our summer? The expectation of glorious sunshine day after day and hearing everyone talk about their evenings 'watering the garden' vanished, to be replaced by damp and windy weather. Although this did allow water levels to somewhat recover from 2022 and the majority of TUB's to be lifted, for which we must be grateful.
Despite the autumnal weather, members celebrated successes at both RHS Hampton Court and RHS Tatton, winning an array of medals and 'Best' awards, including Landform Consultants Best Construction (Get Started Garden) at RHS Hampton, The Landscape Academy for Best Show Garden and Wright Landscapes for Best Construction (Young Designer Garden) and Best Young Designer Garden, designed by Nathan Webster at RHS Tatton.
There's also been a lot of excitement at Landscape House following the announcement of the winners of the 2023 National Landscape Awards. With 50 companies scooping 69 awards, competition for the Principal, Special and Grand awards is going to be fierce this year! Catch up with all the National Award winners on page
26. The team from BALI will once again be attending the Award ceremony on 1 December and are already looking forward to catching up with as many of you as we can and celebrating all the winners on the day!
This is truly a packed edition of Landscape News. Technical Officer Owen Baker has delved into biodiversity net gain. With the government's Biodiversity Net Gain scheme launching in November 2023, Owen takes us through the scheme and the potential benefits this will realise on page 34.
We have also been looking into green credentials, providing a summary understanding of the regulations around green marketing, how to avoid greenwashing and some of the third-party accreditations available. Read more on page 29. Best wishes,
Katharine Hughes
Editor: Katharine Hughes
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Sales: Diane McCulloch
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Front cover: Langlea Garden Design & Construction - Ebb & Flow - National Landscape Award winner 2023
This is a hugely exciting time of year for everyone at BALI as well as for our members. The announcement of our National Award winners – all 69 of them – makes me feel proud, not just of our members and their achievements, but of BALI as an organisation and what we stand for. A year ago, we launched our new business strategy, alongside updated vision, mission and values statements. For me, the BALI Awards are a true reflection of all four of our values:
The Awards are a wonderful testament to the efforts of our members to deliver schemes of the highest quality to their clients. But the Awards are about more than just recognising the winners. What I really enjoy is seeing member companies that have used feedback from previous entries to improve their businesses and their delivery on the ground, and noting how their improvements place them up there with some of the more wellknown names in the industry. BALI is here to support members in their endeavours, so please keep entering. If this year is not your year, maybe you have a great scheme that you are working on now or coming up that will be a winner next year.
Innovation is key to making progress and it is great to see new ideas come to fruition from members of all sizes, and schemes from the
very small to our largest entries. I am always impressed by the ability of some of our longest-standing members to keep raising the bar year after year. One of the things I have noticed in this year’s awards is the high number of first-time entrants and entries from members new to the Association. This injection of new blood, both to the Awards and to the organisation itself, is important to the future of BALI and to our industry.
I am in the privileged position of experiencing the judging process, which is both fascinating and humbling. Our judges debate long and hard about the quality aspects of each entry, ensuring that the integrity of the BALI Awards is maintained by searching for excellence. There is no doubt that they have succeeded in selecting some superb schemes in our group of national award winners. I want to say a huge congratulations to those that have won an award and well done to all your teams for the hard work and effort they put in to make this industry and BALI members the best of the best.
The BALI Awards are recognised as the most sought-after in our industry. I think this is partly due to the very high standard of competition, but also due to the quality of the judging process. Our judges provide their time, knowledge, and experience to scrutinise every entry. I would like to
thank each of them for their time and commitment to the Association and the Awards process.
On Friday 1 December 2023, we will meet in London for the National Landscape Awards ceremony at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London. On the day, we will be celebrating the Principal Winners from each category and those that the judging panel felt deserved special recognition with the Special Awards and of course the muchcoveted Grand Award.
If you haven’t yet booked your place at the Awards event of the year, then make sure you book early before tickets sell out. Check out the BALI Awards website at www.baliawards.co.uk and book your tickets soon!
I am pleased to report that we have recruited for both vacant Landscape Skills and Careers Manager and Officer positions. Jonathan Pettit has taken over as Skills and Careers Manager, and in an internal promotion, Cheryl Ranner moves from our LISS/CSCS and ROLO delivery team into the new role of Skills and Careers Officer.
This will allow us to get back on track with the Ambassador network, as well as the delivery of the BALI Chalk Fund-supported enrichment programmes and Student of the Year competition.
Now that our skills and careers posts are filled, it is full steam ahead with the BALI Academy. The concept is to develop the standard and then accredit training providers (colleges, employers and private training providers) to deliver the training. This will enable better regional spread and qualityassured delivery. Read more about the developments on page 10.
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 already in the diary. If you’re unsure what your regional committee have planned, please feel free to contact them to ask or, simply call Regional Support Officer Francesca Bienek at Landscape House.
Unsung hero!
Our very own Owen Baker has been nominated as one of the ProLandscaper Unsung Heroes.
Owen has been a valued member of the team since he joined the Association in 2017. Over the years he has written articles, provided guidance and advice to members on a myriad of subject areas and has had his work published in Landscape News, Who’s Who, and every weekly e-newsletter that we send out. Whilst we recognise his contribution internally, I would like him to have the same recognition within the industry.
Owen was a major team contributor during the COVID pandemic, ensuring that members were provided with appropriate guidance throughout. He has kept members up to date on legislative changes, has been instrumental in much of our lobbying work to date, such as the rebated fuels issues, and maintains a watchful eye on debates and legislation around glyphosate and artificial grass.
Good luck Owen when the announcements are made!
We have enjoyed a great show season with many of our members winning medals. I would like to congratulate every one of you for ensuring that our industry is continually promoted as a professional industry and for keeping the general public and business engaged in the fantastic work we do.
Being a BALI member shows the general public that your business is professionally run and delivers work of a very high standard. It was great to see this being recognised by the general public at this summer’s shows. Around 95% of those visiting our stand felt they needed an accredited professional to undertake their work. This is a great move forward for members and highlights a change in the
type of audience at these shows. In previous years, we saw more garden enthusiasts but now we have great discussions with people who see the value in getting the professionals in.
Meeting members is one of the parts of this job I enjoy the most. The team and I see members during shows and exhibitions, at the forum meetings, and in one-to-one visits at their businesses. It’s crucial that we understand your needs and how we can support your business to give you the best value from your membership.
BALI will be sending out its annual membership satisfaction survey in October. This is a great opportunity for you to tell us the things you feel the Association does well, but also to make sure we know what can be improved or added to our services to give you the best value from your membership. Please make sure you fill in the survey, as your feedback is important to ensure we serve you in the most appropriate way.
We have continued our lobbying activity and as you will be aware, I attended the House of Lords Inquiry into Horticulture evidencegiving session in June along with other industry leaders. This gave us an opportunity to highlight key concerns and growth opportunities faced by the horticultural industry. The discussion topics included:
• The role and value of green urban spaces
• Support for communities and citizen wellbeing
• Accessibility and inclusivity
• Suitability of plants grown in urban spaces
• Key challenges facing design, planning and creation in urban environments
• Biodiversity net gain
• Green urban planning policies
We emphasised the industry's skills gap, with a shortage of new entrants and insufficient skill development among current professionals. We stressed the importance of integrating horticulture into the education system by including horticulture and landscaping in the curriculum. Improving education, promoting the industry, and enhancing career prospects were also highlighted as essential steps to drive the industry forward.
This is a great base upon which to continue our lobbying activity once the report is produced and made public, which is anticipated in the Autumn. We are monitoring the debate and development of the guidance from Defra and industry representatives
closely and have fed back on a number of points when asked to do so.
In addition, we are continuing our work on the rebated fuels legislative changes and have made some new contacts which we hope will help progress this.
In addition to the lobbying activity, we have been hard at work behind the scenes with industry H&S Managers from a range of companies developing a Code of Practice for mowing on slopes. This will benefit the whole industry and aims to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities that have taken place in the last 5-10 years.
This is anticipated to launch in early October. Please check it out and look at updating your teams. We would always point out, that this is not a replacement for site-specific risk assessments and method statements, as these still need to consider varying site conditions, equipment and other risk factors.
As requested by some of our members, next on the list for development is a Code of Practice for tree lifting and moving. This will predominantly focus on the lifting and moving of trees on and off vehicles in yards or on-site. Watch this space for updates.
You will see that Owen Baker (Technical Officer, Policy and Research) has included in this edition a substantial article on biodiversity net gain. He explores what this looks like currently, how some of our member companies are making a commitment to this important subject area, and what it will mean to members in the future. We will continue our work on this important subject area.
Thank you for your continued support and promotion of BALI. Remember, my door is always open and I would like to hear from you with your ideas, questions or suggestions for how the Association can support your business.
It is with immense sadness that we learned of the passing of Jeffrey Bernhard OBE. Jeffrey was co-founder of the British Association of Landscape Industries as well as the first Chair in 1971.
A family statement said: "Jeff lived a full life and was thinking and planning to the very end. Having achieved one final milestone in his remarkable time with us, his 100th birthday on 7 August, he passed away quietly in his sleep and is resting peacefully at last.
"Jeffrey leaves behind an extraordinary legacy in the wider Horticultural industry. Many of the now well-known industry bodies including HTA, GCA, IGC, BALI, BGL and ELCA have been significantly influenced by his energetic contributions, his vision and determination. Other organisations have also benefited from his engagement, enthusiasm, and leadership qualities. These included: The Round Table, Rotary, and the Masonic Lodge as well as The Worshipful Company of Gardeners. He was recognised for his significant influence in the Horticultural industry, being awarded an OBE by our late Queen Elizabeth II. Many other impressive awards have been steeped upon him."
It was in 1971 that a handful of luminaries decided that the burgeoning landscape and horticulture industry, with its existing small representative groups, deserved its own dedicated Trade Association. This would exist to raise standards of training and workmanship across the industry, to support its members, and promote them to their potential customers.
Jeffrey Bernhard OBE of Bernhard’s of Rugby (Bernhard’s Nurseries), who was Chair of the Executive Committee of the HTA’s Landscape Group at the time, headed up the steering committee for the new association.
In 1972, with the support of other industry names including Geoffrey Chalk (Managing Director of Gavin Jones Nurseries at the time) and Les Bailey (then Director of Blakedown Nurseries), the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) was born.
Jeffrey continued his active support for the industry and the Association until his retirement in 2008, helping and inspiring countless individuals and businesses along the way. As well as the founding Chair of BALI, Jeffrey was also the inaugural Chair of The BALI Chalk Fund, a position he held until his 90th year. He subsequently continued to be incredibly interested in both his own businesses, as well as the many organisations where he had held the most senior of positions. At the 2022 National Landscape Awards, the Association presented the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award to Jeffrey Bernhard
OBE. Not only was Jeffrey instrumental in the creation and development of the Association, but he also gave thousands of hours of his own time, alongside his own business and personal commitments, to establish the Association.
Wayne Grills, Chief Executive added: "Our deepest condolences are with his family friends. I was extremely saddened to hear of Jeffrey’s passing. He was a real stalwart of our industry and, with a number of colleagues prevalent in the industry at that time, was one of the creators of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI). He provided the direction and the hours it demanded to get the Association off the ground and become a successful voice of the industry.
I had the humble privilege of meeting with and spending time with Jeffrey over the years. He always took a great interest in the Associationmaking sure I was doing my job right on behalf of members and always liked to hear what was new. His tenacious and unstinting work for and on behalf of the many parts of the industry will never be questioned, nor will it be forgotten.’’
Peter Jennins OBE, Chair of the BALI Chalk Fund said: "He was also an iconic and irreplaceable role model and inspirational leader within the Landscape Industry and I, together with many others in the industry, feel hugely privileged and honoured to have been amongst his many friends and associates. He will be much missed and long remembered."
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We know from past research undertaken by the Association that many of our members continue to have issues finding relevant training courses for their businesses. As part of our response to this challenge, the Association is putting plans in place to provide support to raise industry standards, and play a stronger role in supplying and supporting specific education and training, particularly for those people already working within the industry.
BALI conducted research into the existing training and education market and mapped this against what our members have told us they need to raise the skills and standards within their own teams. This led to the decision to develop a number of technical standards that cover the much-needed skills. We are continuing to develop these standards to ensure that they are appropriate to the varying levels needed. This will help employers and employees develop the essential industry skills and knowledge to fill identified skills gaps.
Although the pandemic and changes in personnel have slowed progress, BALI remains committed to developing plans for an Academy to build on existing skills and to raise standards in the landscaping sector.
Over the summer, the development of the Academy has moved forward and there have been two significant developments; both represent a shift in how we are developing the standards and how the trainers deliver the standards to learners.
In terms of standard development, the aim is still that they should represent the highest standards in the industry, and the training be delivered over an extended period – we are
aiming for five-day courses compared to the more usual two or three days. However, we are aware that training must be accessible and delivered where there is demand. So rather than focussing on an individual location for delivery, we are now looking to have the standards delivered at various locations by approved training providers.
And this has led us to our other change in focus - we are looking at ways in which we can have BALI Academy standards endorsed by an accredited awarding organisation.
There are three reasons why we feel that having standards endorsed by an independent body will be of benefit to the industry:
1. Credibility. If an independent awarding organisation reviews, then assesses the content and the outcomes of the standards, then there will be more belief in the quality of the standard to those outside of the industry.
2. Uniformity. Having the standard endorsed or accredited will mean that it will be on a par with regulated qualifications. And while they will be subject to independent oversight, the new standards will not appear on the Ofqual register.
3. Flexibility. One of the aims of the Academy initiative is to ensure the Association controls the content of the qualification, so we are able to ensure we can reflect changes in best practice within the industry more quickly than with a regulated qualification. By having standards endorsed rather than regulated, we can retain this flexibility with enhanced credibility.
We are also beginning to look at how businesses and their learners access the
standard. The first standards have been created and we are also developing guidance notes on each of the outcomes. We are also looking at how we can effectively support the written descriptions and diagrams.
With the move away from a single dedicated BALI Academy site, we are also in the preliminary stages of developing guidance for trainers who want to deliver the BALI standards.
We will continue with this progress during the autumn, and we are scheduling two pilots to evaluate the delivery methods, the quality of the standards and whether they are what the industry is demanding. We will report back on our findings from them. The pilots will be a major stepping-stone in the progress of the Academy from planning into the delivery phase.
After a brief hiatus, development is now gathering pace in what we hope will be an exciting development for the Association, its members, and the wider landscaping industry.
Careers Manager
On Wednesday 20 September, the team at Landscape House welcomed Accredited members for the BALI National AGM 2023.
Tessa Johnstone, National Chair, opened proceedings, welcoming everyone and introducing the executive board. Tessa encouraged everyone to become more involved at a regional level. She talked about one of the key reasons she got involved with the Association which was via regional events. This not only helped her evolve her knowledge across landscaping but also increased her peer network, allowing her to reach out for support, ask for help and share ideas. Tessa also thanked the National Landscape Awards judges for their ongoing commitment to ensuring the exemplary standard of the awards.
The formal proceedings of the meeting started with apologies from those members unable to attend, followed by approval of the minutes from the 2022 National AGM.
Wayne Grills took the opportunity to thank Nigel Bowcock, former National Chair, who took the difficult decision earlier this year to step down and focus on recovery following illness. He also thanked Tessa Johnstone, Chair, and Adrian Wickham, Vice-Chair, for coming forward and taking on these positions in addition to the work they continue to do on equality, diversity, and inclusion. Wayne also recognised Richard Stone, Honorary Treasurer, and Matt O’Conner, Immediate Past Chair, who has agreed to continue in this role, noting the consistency this is providing the Board and support for Tessa and Adrian in their new roles.
He noted how the Board have been focused on reviewing and revising the strategy, and
how this can be further embedded within the organisation, as well as the wider membership of the Association. Wayne also took the opportunity to highlight some of the key points from his Chief Executive’s report, including:
• Evolution and implementation of the strategy
• Equality, diversity, and inclusion agenda
• Initiatives including GoLandscape and BALI Academy gathering pace
• The staffing issues throughout the industry and the role BALI is talking to support this, as well as working collaboratively with other industry bodies (including EHG and APPGHG)
• The ongoing success of the National Landscape Awards
He concluded that it’s all about membership and highlighted that, in his view, if members engage more with the Association they will benefit more from their membership. He specifically mentioned attending regional events or becoming a GoLandscape Ambassador.
Richard Stone, Honorary Treasurer, provided a brief overview of the financial accounts, noting a small trading surplus. He also noted a marginal increase in the number of members, with the Board and staff at Landscape House working hard to improve this.
Tessa Johnstone took the opportunity to reiterate her belief in the benefits of attending regional events during the review of the regional reports and noted the hard work undertaken by Francesca Bienek to ensure the committee’s vision of their events becomes a reality.
The AGM then focused on the propositions, all of which were carried:
• With continuing high inflation and supplier costs continuing to increase, the Association proposed a 5% increase in membership fees for the next membership year (2024/25)
• The Articles of Association require a proportion of the Board to retire by rotation and seek re-election. Accordingly, Matt O’Conner, Paul Downer, Richard Stone and Stuart Simpson, who have all served on the Board for 10 years or more, sought and received re-election
• Earlier this year, National Chair Nigel Bowcock made the difficult decision to step down from the Board. In response, the Board voted Tessa Johnstone as National Chair and Adrian Wickham as Vice-Chair. Richard Stone will continue as Honorary Treasurer as will Matt O’Conner, who will continue as Immediate Past Chair
• Proposal for Benee Consulting to be reappointed as auditors for the Association for the 2023/2024 period
This concluded the formalities of the National AGM 2023
Following the AGM, Wayne Grills gave a presentation covering what the Association has been focused on delivering to members, followed by providing an overview of the current process of resetting the strategy and explaining the vision, mission, values and four strategic imperatives. He concluded by encouraging members to get involved with the Association, through focus groups, regional events and committees, and engaging in the annual membership satisfaction survey.
Although it has been a busy time within the industry, the summer has seen the regional committees undertake a full programme of events. As ever, members are getting the benefit of networking with others within the industry and seeing it as a great way to develop their knowledge further, learn about new places, share best practice whilst make new connections.
Having not had an event within this region for quite some time, we were thrilled to welcome so many industry professionals for a glorious sunny day at Fullers Mill Perennial Gardens. Before the tour, Kate Cooney, Perennial's Corporate Partnership Manager gave an overview of the support Perennial offers. Acting Head Gardener Jason then gave us some background of the history of the gardens before guiding us through the different areas of the garden. We were lucky to visit this stunningly beautiful, tranquil garden on a day it is not open to the public and had a wonderful tour whilst discussing the late Bernard Tickner MBE who created such a wonderful space.
The Midlands committee wanted to have some fun, so also took to the go-karting track. Members showed up with their competitive side to enjoy the time around the track and had the opportunity to develop new business relationships.
The committee enjoyed an evening social at the wonderful Darwin Brasserie, Sky Garden in London. Here members visited a stunning location with magnificent views whilst enjoying a three-course meal and drinks.
The Scotland committee organised an informative visit to Water Gems beautiful site, discussing the creation of natural swimming pools. Nick Benge then gave us a tour of a project he had completed in the local park with a stunning water feature running throughout before heading back for lunch and a presentation on some of his past projects.
The region had a successful event in the glorious summer sun visiting The Grass Roof Company. Hosted by John Little, who, passionate as ever about his business, gave an insightful talk covering biodiversity, reducing waste in horticulture and how to use alternative materials. He also spoke about the benefits of green roofs and gave a tour of the garden.
The South West are very keen to network with others within the industry as well as welcome new members onto the committee. Over the summer, Paul and Tessa have been hosting social evenings at pubs across Bath, Exeter and Bristol, focussing on getting
people together, sharing best practice, ideas and issues. It is at such events that you realise many people have the same issues and can be a great source of support.
Following a successful go-karting event last year, Regional Chair Lee Bestall and the committee revisited TeamSport Leeds for a competitive afternoon of racing.
"An excellent afternoon from start to finish with plenty of friendly competition! Thanks for arranging a great event and the opportunity to meet new people in the industry."
The region's most recent event was a visit to Pictorial Meadows. Blessed with some late summer sun, the day started with an overview presentation from Commercial Director Dan Cornwell, as well as both Landscape Managers Jacob Davies and Owen Hayman. There was plenty of time to network over a delicious lunch from the onsite Rhubarb Café followed by a tour through the delightful meadows to see how different seed mixes have worked together.
Following the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter launch in 2022, Landscape News has previously reported on the work being undertaken behind the scenes by the ED&I Charter Group, focused on delivering the commitment to progress, the breaking down of barriers in the industry, and increasing access and progression for all.
The Group held an Increasing Diversity in Horticulture, Arboriculture and Landscaping event at RHS Wisley in September.
The event was opened by RHS council member Tazim Essani, who stated that creating a more diverse organisation isn't about "hiring a few people that look a bit different, it's about driving cultural change". She also noted the RHS's efforts: "The RHS council over the years includes people from a broader range of backgrounds, who are all experts in their fields, with a broad diversity of experience, which brings richness to the discussion."
Mo Kebbay, Head of Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing at the RHS highlighted that diversity not only includes visible differences — gender, race, ethnicity and disabilities — but also non-visible differences, including sexual orientation, social class, heritage, religion, non-visible disabilities, different perspectives and thought processes, education, family status, and age.
BALI Vice-Chair Adrian Wickham presented the preliminary results of the ED&I survey. With the industry having grown by 40% over the past 2 years, embracing talent from outside the normal channels has never been more important. Key statistics from the survey include:
• 36% of respondents are from the 45-54 age group. The 16-24 cohort accounts for less than 5%. This highlights the challenge to attract young people in our industry.
• 70% of respondents identify as women
• 8.5% of respondents consider themselves disabled. Consider that 1 in 4 people is likely to have a mental health condition which could amount to a disability. This suggests that at least 25% of the workforce could be disabled
• Half of the respondents have no religion or belief. How do we support employees in the workplace who do observe a religion?
• 8.6% of respondents care for someone with long-term physical or mental ill health caused by disability; 31% have caring responsibilities for children. How are we supporting carers in the workplace?
Dr. Maria Angelica Pérez, Global Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Corporate Social Responsibility at Fitch Group was welcomed as the keynote speaker for the event. She gave an overview of how companies build an ED&I strategy and how this can translate to a company of any size. Key to the success of the strategy include initial data gathering and analysis, clarity of all definitions at the start of the process, communication, staff involvement in the process, allowing them to take ownership, and ultimately top-level support and buy-in.
The panel comprised: Michelle Ryan, Senior Engineering Leader, Arboriculture & Landscape at Transport for London; Adrian Wickham, Corporate Development at Glendale and BALI Vice-Chair; Oli Haden,
CEO and Head Gardener at Walworth Garden; and Dr Maria Angelica Perez.
Moderated by Manoj Malde, Garden Designer, television presenter, author and BALI Equity Ambassador, the panel discussed their thoughts on how diversity could be increased within our industry, what they perceive as the cultural and structural barriers, navigating difficult conversations, and how we improve the outreach and engagement with underrepresented groups and communities.
The topics provided a host of thoughts and ideas from all the panellists, as well as posing many questions, highlighting the sheer scale of the scope of ED&I, but also providing a great opportunity for the industry to develop and grow.
Dr Suzanne Moss, RHS Director of Learning & Public Engagement, closed the day, highlighting that “our challenge now is to go out and bring everyone into this discussion”.
Tazim Essani presented everyone with a call to action: “diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance, belonging is being asked to choose the music. What are you going to be doing to ensure that everyone is invited, they are able to dance and that the choice of music is wide?”
The event has provided the ED&I Charter Group with a wealth of information to move forward with. Coupled with the results from the survey to provide industry baseline figures and input from an ED&I specialist, we can now start to pick up the pace of our journey.
Located in Worthing, the muchloved Brooklands Park has recently undergone a £3 million regeneration which has revitalised and improved this community asset, making it a vibrant and attractive place for both residents and visitors alike.
The comprehensive landscape masterplan was developed by Turkington Martin Landscape Architects together with Adur and Worthing Council, local stakeholders and community groups and builds upon three key principles – learning, inclusivity and wellbeing. In short, the park will serve as an outdoor classroom and science learning resource, offer improved access and facilities for people of all abilities, and promote physical activity and community engagement.
The Brooklands Park team, comprising Adur and Worthing Council, Turkington Martin and Accredited Contractor, Blakedown Landscapes, as specialist landscape contractors, have worked collaboratively to ensure the success of this project. Value engineering from the original design, specifically around the soft landscaping and play equipment has ensured that the value of the scheme has been maximised.
Working in a ‘live environment’ the phased works commenced in January 2022 with the installation of a network of linked pathways site-wide to provide easy access for visitors of all abilities.
Approached next was the new adventure playground, an enhancement of the existing play area, and designed to become a destination recognised for its STEM and sensory experience. With a focus on inclusivity, the newly installed equipment
ranges from traditional play such as swings, slides and climbing ropes through to percussion play and landscape structures. The surfaces installed include brightly coloured safety surfacing and sand. To the edge of the play area, a living willow tunnel and sensory pathway have been created as further natural features in the park’s renovation. Over time these can be coppiced and woven into other structures, thus forming a learning experience.
A 2.5km fitness trail with direction markings and fitness equipment was also installed to promote health and wellbeing for all ages and was based on user and resident feedback.
A key element of the developed masterplan was the visitor hub and covered stand, which includes a café and public facilities, which blend seamlessly into the natural environment of the park. Forming an attractive new entrance at Western Road and overlooking the lake, the café boasts a green roof and has been built using sustainably sourced materials and energy principles in keeping with the ethos of the wind farm.
The former golf course now comprises a series of glades, each with its own unique character and purpose, which are connected by a sinuous path system that stretches throughout the park, allowing visitors to explore and enjoy the different spaces. The intention is to create outdoor 'rooms' that offer a variety of experiences and include a play and build glade that showcases the uses of trees and plants in construction; the nature glade which promotes biodiversity and features bug hotels and bird boxes and the winter glade highlighting the value of evergreens in winter.
Also featured is a community garden, which is run by the Friends of Brooklands Park, boasting raised planters for food growing and a space for learning and community gatherings. As part of a social value exercise, Blakedown donated the materials and assisted the Friends in constructing the planters and securing the compound.
A further objective was to increase the park’s biodiversity by creating a variety of habitats to support a wide range of wildlife species, as well as contributing to the nature conservation value of the area. Predominantly native species have been selected and across the park more than 120 trees and thousands of shrubs, perennials, grasses, hedging plants and bulbs have been planted, Additionally, a selection of sensory plants have been utilised and planted to create a sensory ribbon that extends throughout the park and boundary planting of native hedges and trees, suitable for the maritime climate, employed to screen views of passing vehicles, reduce pollution, give a greater sense of enclosure and reinforce the green environment.
Overall, the Brooklands Park Landscape Masterplan has enhanced the natural beauty and recreational value of the park creating a more vibrant and ecologically sustainable green space for residents and visitors and for future generations.
blakedown.co.uk
ROLO courses are specially designed health, safety and environmental awareness courses, developed by the Association, for employees of companies operating in the land-based industry.
Three levels of training courses are available:
Apply for a LISS CSCS card to unlock your individual and/or company potential, with the following benefits:
•Enables you to work on live commercial land-based/construction sites
•Enables the ability to tender for commercial work that requires a LISS CSCS SmartCard
• Recognises your qualifications and training experience
• Up-to-date industry-specific health, safety and environmental awareness knowledge
bali.org.uk/lisscscs/what-is-lisscscs
Operative Supervisor ManagerIndustry accreditation cards withdrawal by 2024: Card holders who obtained their cards via industry accreditation will need to complete the relevant qualifications in order to apply for their LISS CSCS card from 1 January 2025.
Find the right course for you:
bali.org.uk/lisscscs/rolo
ROLO is a mandatory requirement to obtain a LISS/CSCS card
ROLO – to raise the standard of health and safety, environmental awareness, and reduce the risk of accidents in the workplace.
Project: Leonardo Hotel
Location: Manchester
Building architect: Stephenson Hamilton Risley Studio
Landscape architect: Re-Form
Landscape contractor: Gavin Jones
Product/services supplied: lightweight roof soil, topsoil, subsoil, Mona irrigation, tree anchors, weed control matting, resin-bound grilles, laser-cut grilles
The area around the North and East of Manchester city centre has been undergoing a renaissance over recent years, with exciting development and refurbishment taking place. One such scheme is the stunning new biodiverse, cubist-style Leonardo Hotel.
Situated on the corner of Adair Street and Great Ancoats Street, the new 14-storey Leonardo Hotel replaced a weary-looking 2-storey office building, and adds a welcome link between the busy Piccadilly Station and the East Village Regeneration Zone.
Even before construction began, the scheme won a Society of Architects design award, one of the contributing factors undoubtedly being the 17 stunning Jengastyle tiered planting boxes: the architects, Stephenson Hamilton Risley Studio took their inspiration from Milan’s Bosco Verticale (vertical forest).
The planters jut out from the main building at various heights, creating a juxtaposition of cantilevers not unlike a half-finished game of Jenga. Indeed, the planters were referred to as ‘Jenga blocks’ in the planning documents. Each planter is filled with shrubs, trees, and ferns, individually selected to thrive in the micro-climate created by each planting block.
The idea was to make an impact and add some much-needed green infrastructure and bio-diversity to Piccadilly’s East neighbourhood. The building certainly makes a statement and will house 275 luxury hotel rooms along with a ground-floor bar, restaurant, gym and wellness suite, plus an outside seating area.
Green-tech’s involvement
Green-tech was invited to landscape architects Re-form’s offices in Beehive Mills back in 2019, to discuss options for the high-level planters. As a result, the planters were specified with Green-tech’s Greentree lightweight intensive roof soil, as well as a layer of expanded clay granules to bring up the level in the base, rather than using a heavier sub-soil or some other man-made void former. The intensive lightweight roof soil is around 30% lighter than standard topsoil, and due to the deeper planting of the trees, needs to contain more organic content and hold on to a little more water than the extensive substrate often found on sedum and wildflower green roofs.
A total of 48 cubic metres of lightweight roof soil was used for the 17 Jenga blocks, along with over 4,000 litres of lightweight expanded
clay aggregate. This was supplemented on the ground planting with over 400 tonnes of topsoil and subsoil, 2,000 litres of compost and 48 tonnes of pea gravel and decorative silver-grey gravel. The groundlevel landscaping incorporated a mix of trees in hard and soft, irrigated by a mix of Mona underground capillary tanks and Mona Relief perforated pipes, and supported by Greentech strap anchors.
The trees in hard were finished off with permeable resin-bound grilles, and for the trees along the front, custom-made grilles, featuring laser-cut Piccadilly East branding and drainage slots. These grilles are made from heavy-duty steel and finished by being hot-dip galvanised, then acid-etched and powder coated in a classic bronze finish, including the normally silver Piazza irrigation inlet. All the steel used in the production of these decorative grilles is recycled by our foundry in West Yorkshire.
To finish off the landscaping, over 200 square metres of Premium Weed Control matting and Ecomatt was supplied along with 2,000 litres of ornamental wood bark for ground cover.
Alasdair Innes, Green-tech Specification Advisor comments, “it’s fantastic to see striking building design incorporating greeninfrastructure, in a way that makes it really stand out in the local area. It was a pleasure to be asked to get involved supplying the lightweight soil and other ancillary landscaping materials.” green-tech.co.uk
Green-tech provides lightweight soil and laser-cut grilles for awardwinning ‘vertical forest’ hotel
To us, a rebrand means a complete overhaul. A fresh, clean start with new vehicle livery, uniform and branding. We have become acutely aware that our current name - Oakham Garden Services - isn’t the right fit with our service offering and is too geographical. With our offering including a bespoke 3D design and installation service, we felt that our new logo and colour choices had to be sleek and sophisticated, reflecting the first-class service we deliver to our clients. It’s certainly with a sense of pride that we have progressed the business in such a way, we are fortunate enough to refine it in such detail. Style and presentation are of paramount importance when positioning yourself within such a quality marketing and clients essentially buying what is a lifestyle-enhancing luxury, not a necessity.
Rebranding instantly injects vast opportunities within any business, especially marketing, regardless of industry. Needless to say, it boosts morale within your team and signals a real milestone for the company. Social media rebranding and the website overhaul will be handled by our phenomenal marketing team at Simply Smarter Marketing.
The overall look of the business will be transformed in such a way it’ll spark interest, create conversation and be a talking point for our existing and future clients. We of course would like to create awareness with a brand reveal across our social media platforms.
It’s not until you begin to put pen to paper and list everything that needs to change, that you realise it’s quite an overwhelming project, not to mention the cost implications. It’s an ever-growing list that you will most likely keep adding to, everything from letterheads to social media branding. You must remind yourself of the end goal and keep pushing forward. With already spinning lots of plates to maintain the momentum of the businesses’ progression, it’s easy to lose faith and for it to become ‘bottom of the pile’ when day-to-day duties are continuously pulling focus. As far as cost is concerned, there are so many variations and choices, with business size being a key factor i.e. vehicles on fleet and employees.
A few things we've had to consider (but by no means an exhaustive list) include:
• Vehicle livery
• Letterheads
• Business cards
• Website
• Social media
• Uniform
• Email templates
• Email signature
• Email domain
• Bank accounts
• Credit cards
• Companies House
• HMRC/Accountant
• Voicemails
• Companies you’re in contact with
• Suppliers
new revenue streams and extend their reach into a dynamic artificial grass marketplace.
A LazyLawn Licensee gains much more than an instant association with a wellestablished, respected and impressive brand. Licensees have access to marketing, technical and promotional support as well as being able to enjoy the healthy profit margins of artificial grass. It also unlocks unique products including artificial green roofs with EverRoof®, the Group’s uniquely fire-tested and classified system and OneDNA® 100% circular artificial grass.
Pioneers within the artificial grass market and supplying its range across the landscape industry, Evergreens UK Group is a company built on market development and product innovation. The Group is proud to have been leaders in the landscape sector for over 35 years, supplying to a domestic, trade and commercial customer base.
LazyLawn®, part of the Group, now has regional opportunities for 2024, looking for new licensees to join their nationwide network
of landscapers installing products for lawns, roof gardens, putting greens and children’s play areas across the UK. As regional coverage moves and extends in this most dynamic of sectors, LazyLawn has openings for Licensees to join their network with exclusivity in Suffolk, South Wales and South West England.
Over 30 established landscaping and home improvement companies have added the LazyLawn portfolio to their range, generating profitable sales and becoming a substantial part of their businesses. It has allowed them to add
The start-up package for a LazyLawn Licensee comes with Lantra-recognised training at the Group’s National Training Academy on top of full operational, sales and promotional support. For custom designs, the Licensee can also tap into the Group’s design and cutting capabilities, and they benefit from early access to research and cutting-edge testing into yarns and new product development. This helps the right landscaping businesses to source the right materials, skills, tools and livery and assists in their marketing plans to explore new leads and opportunities across a postcodedefined territory.
lazylawn.co.uk/license-opportunities/
Adding a new revenue stream to your landscape business in 2024: LazyLawn licensee opportunities available
The UK’s only charity helping people working with plants, trees, flowers or grass build and live better lives. We can’t provide our support without your help. To find out more visit perennial.org.uk.
“...Perennial was there for me in my hour of need and may well have saved my life. It sounds dramatic, but their calm guidance at a time when my life was in turmoil massively helped me.”
Peter,Landscape Gardener
“Beautiful gardens do wonders for our wellbeing. But, if we need more support than nature can provide, all of us who work in horticulture can turn to Perennial.”
Alan Titchmarsh MBE President of Perennial
Leicester City FC training ground recently played host to a fantastic gathering of turf professionals.
Turf Science Live, an event organised jointly by Accredited Supplier ICL and Syngenta, offers a platform for greenkeepers and grounds staff to dive deep into the latest in turf management. The incredible surroundings of Leicester City Football Club's training facilities made for the perfect backdrop. With over 100 attendees from sporting venues all over the UK, the day was ripe for sharing insights and experiences.
The day commenced in the impressive press room, setting the tone for the informative sessions that were to follow. Attendees were divided into four groups, ensuring an intimate and comprehensive learning experience. Each group would experience all four designed stations.
Dr Andy Owen, International Technical Manager for ICL Growing Solutions, Turf and Landscape Division, and Dr Jonathan Knowles, Head of the Sports Turf Academy at Leicester City Football Club, explained the intricate process of turf research, exploring its nuances and the journey from laboratory findings to real-world applications
In this session, Henry Bechelet, ICL's Technical Sales Manager for UK and Ireland's turf and landscape business, discussed the shift towards eco-friendly solutions, highlighting the importance and efficacy of sustainable nutrition for outfield areas.
Dball to predict the future of your landscape gardening business?
What would it tell you exactly? How do you know it will display a reliable vision for the future? The good news is you don’t need a crystal ball in business. Instead, all you need is to ‘know your numbers’ by having strong, accurate and up-to-date bookkeeping.
When setting up a new business, some owners will attempt to do their own bookkeeping. However, they might find the world of financial information intimidating and scary, or they simply don’t have enough time to focus on doing this properly as they’re busy running their business. They might measure their sales, have an idea of their bank balance,
all. They may not know if specific jobs, or even the whole business, is profitable or not. It’s just guesswork which can sometimes prove very wrong. In fact, failure to do bookkeeping properly is one of the prime reasons businesses don’t succeed.
Knowing your numbers is crucial to the operation of a business, and is essential for tracking financial health, measuring growth and steering the business in the right direction. So, what do these numbers show a business owner exactly?
• They paint a picture of how they are spending money
Glenn Kirby, the Syngenta EAME Technical Services Manager for Turf & Landscape, enlightened attendees on holistic approaches to turf pest control, emphasizing the integration of multiple tactics to achieve optimal results.
Eric Chen, the Syngenta EAME Biologicals Technical Manager for Turf & Ornamentals, presented on the potential of biological tools in turf management.
As the day wrapped up, Ed Carter offered heartfelt gratitude to the team at Leicester City FC for their partnership and for hosting the event. Prizes were awarded to the competition winners and attendees had the opportunity to walk on one of the football pitches.
This marked a memorable end to a day filled with learning and networking. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees is a testament to the event's success and the relevance of the topics discussed.
As the industry continues to evolve, gatherings like Turf Science Live ensure that professionals stay abreast of the latest developments and best practices in turf management.
For more information, please visit icl-growingsolutions.uk
• They identify which service is making the most money so future efforts can be best directed
• They provide information about outstanding invoices
• They can be used to improve cash flow
• They highlight how much money should be set aside for tax so there are no unwanted surprises
• They show how the business is performing so tactical and strategic planning decisions can be made and business goals adjusted accordingly
Thankfully, these days there are many different bookkeeping software packages on the market to help business owners. As with many other industries, technology is revolutionising landscape gardening and businesses are making the shift from spreadsheets to dedicated cloud-based software packages. Alternatively, business owners enlist the expertise of a professional bookkeeper who can complete the work to the highest standard and in a timely manner so the financial information can be analysed when it’s relevant.
So, there you have it. Business is all about numbers and as a business owner, you need to become an expert in knowing yours. It could mean the difference between success and failure. @kimsonesaccounts
The
This year, Accredited Supplier ACO hosted a stand at RHS Hampton Court looking at how we can reimagine rainwater as a vital resource for our gardens. Here, Angus Crichton, Marketing Manager for ACO House & Garden, reflects on the conversations that took place and the challenges the UK faces in realising rainwater’s potential.
Landscapers are at the sharp end of climate change. In the Spring 2023 edition of Landscape News, BALI’s Owen Baker laid out data on our changing climate, implications for water supply and national responses. He concluded with the qualities needed in this changed world: ‘effective management of water use requires an open mind, creativity and changes to ingrained habits’ and cited two larger landscaping projects.
Yet sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are applied more to larger scale projects in response to legislative requirements. A recent article on ‘small SuDS’ in London featured street-wide applications.1 Consequently, ACO went the next level down: individual properties. We explored SuDS (minus technical terminology) with homeowners on our stand at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Festival. We wanted to learn what ingrained habits exist and how minds are open to change, so we spent six days listening to keen gardeners and surveying them on their rainwater habits.
ACO’s stand received a near-constant stream of visitors. They accepted the reality of climate change in their gardens, with lawns reduced to Weetabix brown during drought and an out-of-control water feature when flooded. Consequently, visitors wanted solutions.
Table 1 from the survey shows which solutions were of greatest interest, while the
ACO team confirmed most conversations on the stand focused on rainwater storage for reuse.
Yet at the same time, old habits die hard. Table 2 shows what keen gardeners are doing with their rainwater now. Two thirds are feeding rainwater from their house roofs into the drainage system, while this drops to a third for garden buildings.
When it comes to irrigation, nearly three quarters of respondents said they were using rainwater rather than drinking water at least some of the time. Here, the interest is more matched by practice.
These habits are based on the assumption that the sewerage network copes with the rainwater we put in it and that our temperate climate guarantees an unlimited supply of water piped into our homes. The news repeatedly tells us the former is no longer the case and by 2050 demand for water in the UK will outstrip supply.2 So, homeowners are both very open to new rainwater solutions in light of climate change and use ingrained habits shaped by evaporating assumptions.
The natural world is brilliant at managing rainwater. In the seriously wet Pacific Northwest of America, more than 95% of rainfall is absorbed by natural forests, sustaining conifers down to minuscule moss for millennia.3 Landscape design and practice are at the centre of creative rainwater management solutions. The blending of planting, soil and landscape profiles offers the best opportunity to replicate in the domestic garden what nature does in the forest, with products playing a supportive role. To achieve this, design must start at the site’s highest rather than lowest point and rainwater solutions raised with the client at the outset, not as an afterthought.
Tom Liptan, with decades of designing rainwater management systems in precipitation-prone Portland, offers the following counsel: “Design should maximise the use of the landscape for water conveyance and detention. Site planning begins at the highest point of the landscape and works down to the lowest point.”4 He also observes that if we start at the bottom, we tend to design and build a single solution for the entire site’s rainwater. Put bluntly, this is a large soakaway in big hole.
By starting at the top, we can create a series of gravity-fed solutions that channel, store,
slow and disperse rainwater from roof level to ground level and below. En-route, we can insert playful solutions that move beyond the solely functional to include the enjoyable. So ACO staff spent the week discussing with homeowners green roofs, rainwater planters, rainfed ponds, rain gardens and soakaways, as well as rainwater harvesting tanks.
Second, this integrated approach should be raised with clients at the outset, not as an afterthought. While adding solutions adds to costs, they reduce other costs for the client (e.g. smaller or no soakaway at the lowest point, smaller water bills), plus enhance the overall design. Furthermore, this integrated
approach results in reduced to no rainwater entering a sewerage system plagued by daily overflows into our watercourses – 825 a day on average in 2022.5
ACO’s Reimagining Rainwater booklet is a useful starting point for these conversations with clients and can be downloaded from: aco.co.uk/water-talk
ACO is looking forward to continuing this conversation on reimagining rainwater with the Association and its members. aco.co.uk
1. Graeme Kasselman, Craig Boorman, ‘How small SuDS can reduce flood risk in London’, Built Environment Journal (2022). https://ww3.rics.org/uk/en/journals/built-environmentjournal/how-small-suds-can-reduce-flood-risk-in-london.html.
2. Sir James Bevan, ‘Escaping the jaws of death: ensuring enough water in 2050’, Waterwise Conference, 19th March 2023, https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/escaping-thejaws-of-death-ensuring-enough-water-in-2050.
3. Thomas W. Liptan and J. David Santen, Sustainable Stormwater Management: A Landscape-Driven Approach to Planning and Design (Portland: Timber Press, 2017) p. 33.
4. As note above, p.70.
5. Event Duration Monitoring - Storm Overflows - Annual Returns for 2022 (Environment Agency) https://environment.data.gov.uk/dataset/21e15f12-0df8-4bfc-b763-45226c16a8ac
The British Association of Landscape Industries is excited to announce 69 winners of the National Landscape Awards 2023.
The awards have been presented to 50 companies, spanning 25 categories, with Ground Control winning five national awards, Wright Landscapes and GP Plantscape have both received three awards, and a further 11 companies and individuals winning two.
Following a summer of visiting every UKbased entry, Chair of the Judging Panel John Melmoe and the team of judges – Elizabeth Connelly, Gareth Wilson, Jason Lock, Matt Nichol, Robin Templar Williams and Rupert Keys – met at BALI Landscape House in late August for the adjudication process that reviews and selects the award-winning schemes.
Head Judge John Melmoe said: "Once again, the judges and I have been blown away by the excellent standards showcased by this year’s entrants. It is always a pleasure to review the submissions received and visit the team on-site who make these projects a reality. The honour of receiving a National Landscape Award echoes throughout the industry and beyond, so congratulations to all those who have won!"
BALI Chief Executive Wayne Grills: "Each year it makes me immensely proud to witness and share with you the winners of the National Landscape Awards. The significance of our members putting themselves forward to be scrutinised by their peers and a panel of judges should not be underestimated. The willingness to partake in this process highlights our members continued commitment to driving the industry forward, promoting excellence and encouraging fresh talent. The Association's Board of Directors and I would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners on their fantastic achievement."
Events Project Manager Emily Feeney notes, "The mix and quality of this year’s submissions is extremely encouraging, and I was delighted to see an increase in entries, particularly in the contractor and designer categories. This speaks to our members' dedication in their pursuit of perfection and willingness to improve standards within the industry, which remains one of the key missions of the National Landscape Awards. Congratulations to this year’s winners and I, along with the team at Landscape House, look forward to celebrating with you all at this year’s ceremony!"
The National Landscape Awards ceremony will be held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane in London on 1 December. This year's host is Cally Beaton, a comedian, business leader, writer and entrepreneur. She has held senior management positions at some of the biggest media companies in the world. While working for Comedy Central, on the road with the late, great Joan Rivers, she was nudged into the sphere of performance.
Full details of the winning entries can be found at baliawards.co.uk, along with booking details for the Awards ceremony.
Domestic Garden Construction - Under £30K, sponsored by Hedges Direct
• Langlea Garden Design & Construction for Ebb & Flow
Domestic Garden Construction - Between £30K - £60K, sponsored by Composite Prime
• Green Acorn Landscape Design & Construction for The Purple Floral
• Gardens by Keltie & Clark for A Secret Garden Sanctuary
• NWL Contracts T/A Neil Walker Landscaping and Driveways for Private Residence in Lenzie
• Vu Garden Design & Landscaping for Private Garden in Longfield
Domestic Garden ConstructionBetween £60K - 100K, sponsored by Johnsons of Whixley
• Graduate Gardeners for Domestic Garden in Chedglow
• Langlea Garden Design & Construction for Molten : Radiate
• Urban Earth SW for Kahiwi House
Domestic Garden ConstructionBetween £100K - £250K, sponsored by Van den Berk Nurseries
• Acacia Gardens for Ashbourne Gardens
• Bluestone Landscapes for Newlands Avenue
• HG Landscapes for Private Residence in Teddington
• HG Landscapes for Private Residence in Wimbledon
• PWP Landscape for Private Garden in Yorkshire
• The Garden Company for Private Residence in Nash Mills
• The Garden Design Company for The Old Coach House, Wimbledon
• The Landscaping Consultants for Bristol Gardens
• Tony Benger Landscaping for Hillcombe Farm
• Wright Landscapes for Private Residence in East Cheshire
Domestic Garden Construction - Over £250K, sponsored by Europlants UK
• Gavin Jones for A Private Residence in Oxfordshire
• Stephen Ogilvie for Edinburgh Family Garden
• The Garden Builders for Private Residence in Hampstead
• The Garden Design Company for Pip's
Wildlife Pond
• Urban Earth SW for Herons Reach
• We Love Plants for Bay Tree House
• Wright Landscapes for Private Residence in Cheshire
Domestic Garden ConstructionSoft Landscaping
• We Love Plants for Windmill Bank
Soft Landscaping Construction (nondomestic) - Under £500K, sponsored by Bourne Amenity
• Greensport Trading T/A Inscapes for Parliament Square Garden
Soft Landscaping Construction (nondomestic) - Over £500K, sponsored by Hillier Nurseries
• Elite Landscapes for One Thames City
• Landform Consultants for Tower of London - Super Bloom
• WH Bond & Sons for Kilhallon
Flood Embankment
Hard Landscaping Construction (nondomestic) - Under £500K
• Greenside Landscapes for Westminster
Fire Station
• Ground Control for Sumpters Yard, St Albans Cathedral
Hard Landscaping Construction (nondomestic) - Over £500K, sponsored by MCM
• Maylim for Regent's Place Phase Two
• WH Bond & Sons for Kilhallon Redi-Rock
Flood Wall
Community & Schools Development
• Ground Control for Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes
• Urban Forestry (Bury St Edmunds) for Botesdale Recreation Ground
Regeneration Scheme - Under £500K
• Landform Consultants for Hale Cemetery
• The CGM Group (East Anglia) for The Queen Mothers Garden
• VMS for Town and Country Park, Stanton Cross
Regeneration Scheme - Over £500K, sponsored by Green-Tree Topsoil
• Ashlea for Sighthill TRA, Glasgow
• Ground Control for Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes
• Ground Control for Marble Hill and Grotto
• Willerby Landscapes for Battersea Power Station Phase 2 Roof Gardens
Grounds Maintenance - Free Public Access, sponsored by Reesink UK
• idverde for The Regent's Park
Grounds MaintenanceLimited Public Access
• GP Plantscape for Maxim Park
• Nurture Landscapes for Chiswick Park
• Quality & Service for Beaufort House
Accredited Contractor & Accredited
Designer Joint Submission, sponsored by Easigrass
• Maïtanne Hunt MBALI & The Garden Builders for Sky Entertaining
Interior Landscape – Installation
• GP Plantscape for Auchendennan House Orangery
• Nurture Landscapes for Braze
Interior Landscape – Maintenance
• GP Plantscape for Abrdn - 1 George Street
• idverde for Sky Garden
• The Plantman for White City Living Roof Garden or Podium LandscapingUnder £500K
• Geogreen Solutions T/A ABG Installs for Private Residence in Cumbria
Nature Conservation & Biodiversity
Enhancement, sponsored by Ground Control
• Ellicar for Eco Build Swimming Pond, East Yorkshire
• Ground Control for Headstone Manor
Recreational Ground
Design Excellence - Overall Scheme Under £50K, sponsored by Wright Landscapes
• Elaine Rutherford MBALI for Golborne Garden
Design Excellence - Overall Scheme Over £100K, sponsored by Frosts
Landscape Construction
• James Scott MBALI for Private Residence in Nash Mills
• Lynne Marcus MBALI for Private Residence in Hampstead
International
• Beijing Sunshine Landscape Co. for Lan Xi Shang Yuan
• Beijing Tsinghua Tongheng Urban Planning and Design Institute for Landscape Design of YangJuan Lake Park in Jinan City of China
• DDON Planning and Design Co. for Guiyang Jinmao Waterscape Smart Eco-Park
• DDON Planning and Design Co. for The Impression Garden
• Shenzhen Hope Design Co. for Shenzhen Buji Water Park
Supplier Exceptional Service, sponsored by idverde
• George Davies Turf
• Overtec
Employer Excellence - Turnover Over £2.5M, sponsored by HL Services
• Acre Landscapes
• Tony Benger Landscaping
• Wright Landscapes
Perfect for schools, playgrounds, and other play areas, children will love Lazylawn Roadways.
The benefit of having a LazyLawn Roadway installed is that it can be customised to the exact requirements of any playground, regardless of size and shape, thanks to our CAD cutting service.
For more info, visit: www.lazylawn.co.uk/lazyplay
palmstead.co.uk/people
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Sustainability, the environment, carbon footprint, net zero, climate change…
Today these words and phrases, along with a whole host of others are part of our daily conversations and embedding deeper within our personal and professional values. A key growth area, as a result, is companies promoting their green credentialshow they are environmentally friendly, sustainable or reducing their carbon footprint. But how do you know if the claims a company is making have genuine merit, or is simply greenwashing?
Green marketing
Also known as environmental marketing or sustainable marketing, green marketing focuses on promoting products and services by highlighting their environmental benefits. The primary goal of green marketing is to encourage consumers to make more environmentally responsible choices and support products or companies that are committed to reducing their environmental impact. Green marketing has gained prominence as consumers become more environmentally conscious and seek products and services that align with their values.
Green marketing strategies can cover a range of sustainability principles including eco-friendly packaging, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from production processes, investing in renewable energy sources and adopting sustainable business practices. Unlike greenwashing, any green marketing statements made are based on transparency, providing accurate and
substantiated information about the environmental benefits of their offering.
What is greenwashing?
Greenwashing is an attempt to make people believe that your company is doing more to protect the environment than it really is. It is often used as a marketing or PR tactic to make consumers believe a company, product or service is more environmentally friendly than it is. In contrast (and not to be confused with), green marketing uses environmentally friendly messaging to promote a company, product or service honestly and transparently.
The terminology used for greenwashing tends to be more fluffy and generic, for example using phrases such as environmentally friendly, natural, and sustainable - none of which are substantiated. In contrast, green marketing terminology is more specific and can be backed up with evidence.
For the most part, greenwashing is not a malicious action by a company, but more over-exuberance. However, the result has become a lack of trust towards companies that do not substantiate their environmental claims. As the consciousness of what environmental impact means has increased, consumers - whether business or personalare more astute, and companies are progressively required to back up any claims made with evidence.
In addition, it is likely that anti-greenwashing regulations will be introduced in the UK. In the EU, proposals for a 'Green Claims Directive' were published in March 2023. Subject to the
approval of the European Parliament and the Council could be implemented as early as this year. Any UK business trading within the EU making voluntary environmental claims directed at EU consumers will be required to comply with the new regulations.
The proposal for a Directive on Green Claims will address greenwashing by tackling false environmental claims made towards consumers. The new rules establish a clear regime for environmental claims and labels, aiming to ensure consumers receive trustworthy information about the environmental credentials of the products they buy. The green claims proposal also tackles claims relying on offsetting - notably to environmental claims that products or entities are 'climate neutral'. This directive will only apply to companies with more than 10 employees and higher than €2 million turnover, although smaller companies are able to work to this if they wish.
In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched the Green Claims Code in September 2021, with the aim of eradicating greenwashing activity. The code sets out 6 key points to check environmental claims are genuinely green:
1. Be truthful and accurate: businesses must live up to the claims they make about their products, services, brands and activities
2. Be clear and unambiguous: the meaning that a consumer is likely to take from a product’s messaging and the credentials of that product should match
3. Not omit or hide important information: claims must not prevent someone from making an informed choice because of the information they leave out
4. Only make fair and meaningful comparisons: any products compared should meet the same needs or be intended for the same purpose
5. Consider the full life cycle of the product: when making claims, businesses must consider the total impact of a product or service. Claims can be misleading where they don’t reflect the overall impact or where they focus on one aspect of it but not another
6. Be substantiated: businesses should be able to back up their claims with robust, credible and up-to-date evidence
The code applies anywhere a green claim is made by a firm towards a consumer. And the crackdown on greenwashing is gathering further pace with a proposed update to the UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill.
An update to this bill is currently working its way through Parliament. The proposed changes give the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) greater power to clamp down on misleading environmental claims. If these changes are mandated to the Bill, companies using unsubstantiated or misleading claims could face penalties of up to 10% of global turnover. For individuals, the fine could be up to £300,000.
Green hushing is the latest growing trend, as a company's green marketing activities and statements come under greater scrutiny. Some businesses are playing down their environmental activities, or not reporting on them at all, due to avoiding any greenwashing accusations or receiving criticism for not doing enough in relation to sustainability.
Although green hushing is not on the surface a negative practice, it does pose its own challenges. Companies that green hush miss out on the opportunity to drive positive change and support more sustainable activities within their industry. They also prevent customers who are looking for more sustainable and environmentally conscious businesses from making informed decisions.
Despite this, a journey more and more companies are now taking is the road to green accreditation. There are many different accreditation schemes available for companies to choose from. Different schemes may suit different types and sizes of businesses or company philosophies. We've covered a selection of some of the schemes currently available.
ISO 14001 is an internationally agreed standard that sets out the requirements for an environmental management system. It helps organisations improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste, helping organisations identify, manage, monitor and control their environmental issues in a 'holistic' manner.
Achieving ISO 14001 certification involves a formal audit process conducted by a thirdparty certification body. This process ensures that an organisation's EMS conforms to the ISO 14001 standard's requirements. iso.org
Launched in the US in 2007, B Corp Certification is a third-party certification standard by non-profit B Lab, that evaluates a company’s impact on all stakeholders. Described as the Fairtrade of business, B Corp not only considers financial profitability but also looks at the triple bottom line, using the power of business to address social and environmental problems.
To get certified a company must meet stringent requirements, including completing a comprehensive assessment of their company’s impacts on all stakeholders, and having their assessment verified by B Lab. bcorporation.uk
The Carbon Trust offers independent verification, certification and assurance services, which recognise organisations that
have achieved significant reductions in their carbon emissions and have demonstrated commitment to sustainability. The services include the route to net zero standard, product carbon footprint label, and organisational verification and PAS 2060 - the only recognised standard for carbon neutrality. carbontrust.com
Green Mark aims to reduce a business's environmental impact through the development of policies and measurement. The sustainability certification process reviews performance and identifies steps to save energy, reduce waste and become more sustainable, establishes an environmental policy, and provides a mechanism that enables the monitoring of progress.
Green Mark is a three-step green accreditation scheme - Level 1 helps businesses identify opportunities, Level 2 starts the development and implementation of action plans, and at Level 3 businesses have a full set of practical processes and guidelines to help drive continuous environmental improvement. greenmark.co.uk
Planet Mark accreditation process is clearly divided into three tracks: starter, pro and enterprise. The starter is for small businesses, the pro is aimed at mediumsized businesses, and the enterprise is for larger organisations.
Planet Mark’s certification provides a platform for commercially resilient and sustainable
change by measuring and reducing an organisation’s carbon footprint, year on year. The process also includes engaging staff and stakeholders to build knowledge and skills, and support in communicating progress with authenticity and confidence.
planetmark.com
Developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), BREEAM is internationally recognised as a leading method for assessing the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of construction and development projects.
BREEAM sets standards for buildings, communities and infrastructure in a very broad range of sustainability issues in nine categories: energy, waste, water, materials, health and wellbeing, transport, pollution, land use & ecology, and management. The assessment process results in a sustainability rating for the project, which helps stakeholders understand and compare the project's overall sustainability performance. bregroup.com/products/breeam/
I would love to hear from members who are actively working with third-party companies to reduce their environmental impact. The Association would be keen to share your journey with other members, including the benefits and challenges to enhance our collective understanding. Please contact Katharine Hughes, Marketing and Communications Manager at katharine.hughes@bali.org.uk
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The year 2020 represented a global milestone when the mass of manmade material such as concrete, metal, plastic, bricks, and asphalt surpassed the mass of organic material originating from plants and animals on the globe. This re-balance has resulted from human activity and changing land use; during the last 5,000 years, the total global biomass has decreased by roughly 50%1
Whilst changing the use of land is key to sustaining the growing global population and overcoming housing, food production and logistical challenges, it is also one of the main drivers of carbon emissions and biodiversity loss. Balancing the two represents a significant hurdle.
Awareness of the need to manage biodiversity loss against pressures arising from human development is not new; many historic projects have sought to ensure biodiversity conservation can go handin-hand with human development of land, providing the development is planned to avoid impacts and residual impacts are compensated through conservation actions. Members may be familiar with existing terms such as ecological compensation, biodiversity offsets, no net loss (NNL) or net positive biodiversity outcomes, which have
been used to mitigate projects ranging in size from small housing developments to oil pipelines and mines.
In England, Wales and Scotland, planning policy already encourages local authorities to include biodiversity improvement into new development, and many (but not all) councils had adopted Biodiversity Net Gain policies as far back as 2018.
However, these aren’t providing the safeguards required; whilst some sites and species are protected, there are limited mechanisms to value, maintain, enhance, and create wildlife habitats beyond protected sites.
Balancing biodiversity loss with development is a fine line to tread, particularly in countries such as the UK with a high population density and declining biodiversity. Between 1970 and 2013, 56%2 of UK species declined and the pressure of infrastructure versus biodiversity conservation is not likely to ease any time soon. The UK government has committed to building 300,000 new homes per year by the mid-2020s, as well as delivering several large infrastructure projects.
In February 2023 the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced the introduction of mandatory
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in England later this year. This scheme will mandate the assessment of habitats on land that is due to be developed and require this habitat to be enhanced so that it is in a better state than before the development.
Under mandatory BNG, all developments in England must replace any biodiversity lost and add a minimum of 10% biodiversity to provide a net gain. The resulting habitat will be secured for at least 30 years via planning obligations or conservation covenants, enforced by s106 agreements.
The scheme, introduced as part of the Environment Act 2021, will amend the Town & Country Planning Act and apply to new housing, infrastructure and commercial developments of all sizes. Large developments will be subject to the rules from November 2023, whilst smaller developments will be included from April 2024.
Underpinning mandatory BNG is a method of assessing habitats called the biodiversity metric. This biodiversity accounting tool is based on a Microsoft Excel document and will calculate how a proposed development will
change the biodiversity value of an area of land, as well as the amount of ‘gain’ required. The tool is designed to provide stakeholders with a means of assessing changes in biodiversity value (losses or gains) brought about by development or changes in land management.
Habitat surveys and use of the biodiversity metric will be undertaken by competent persons (likely ecological consultants) working on behalf of developers, before being submitted as part of a planning application and scrutinised by specialists, including ecologists and planners, working within local planning authorities.
The biodiversity metric tool will calculate the ecological cost of development on an area of land and generate a number which the developer must compensate for. This compensation currency is called a ‘unit’.
The number of units generated by the biodiversity metric for any given development depends on various factors including:
• Distinctiveness: the type of habitat and its features, including species richness, rarity, whether the habitat is protected and the degree to which a habitat supports species rarely found in other habitats
• Condition: variation amongst the same habitat type
There are three types of biodiversity units: area units, hedgerow units and watercourse units. For example, on one site there may be a total of 15.5 biodiversity units, which are comprised of 5.5 units of scrub, 8 of grassland and 2 of woodland.
Once assessed using the biodiversity metric tool, a biodiversity gain plan will outline how a development will deliver biodiversity net gain and allow the planning authority to check whether the proposals meet the biodiversity gain objective.
Topics covered by the biodiversity gain plan include:
• How adverse impacts on habitats have been minimised
• The pre-development biodiversity value of the onsite habitat
• The post-development biodiversity value of the onsite habitat
• The biodiversity value of any offsite habitat provided in relation to the development
• Any statutory biodiversity credits purchased
• Any further requirements as set out in secondary legislation
The full biodiversity gain plan will be submitted either with the planning application or after the permission is granted, but before development has commenced.
Local planning authorities have the option of setting priorities (for example, woodland creation or enhancing ecological networks) for biodiversity within their administrative area, which may be identified in collaboration with local wildlife organisations and stakeholders. These priorities will be formalised in local plans and planning decisions.
Therefore, in most cases developers will be given guidance on what form their
biodiversity contribution should take. Predevelopment assessments will also identify higher value or even irreplaceable habitats already on-site, which will be protected under best practice.
Best practice guidance dictates net gains should be delivered locally to the development site. In addition, a ‘spatial risk multiplier’ attached to the biodiversity metric tool will incentivise developers to undertake biodiversity improvements within the boundary of a development (on-site), by reducing the biodiversity value of habitats delivered further away from the development.
Where on-site improvements are not possible (for example where there is not space on site for the development and habitat areas) improvements can be made off-site. The term ‘off-site’ in the context of BNG may mean on land owned by the developer, which is away from the development site, or alternatively by purchasing units sold by third-party land managers who are already in the process of creating new habitats throughout the UK.
Estimates using 2019 housing delivery data suggest on-site and off-site habitat creation will demand a total of 5,400 ha of land each year in England.
The development of a third-party BNG unit marketplace was an intended consequence of the BNG scheme, and numerous businesses already offer units for sale throughout the country (type ‘BNG units for sale’ into Google for examples).
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Off-site units being sold by third parties generally form part of large, privately managed habitat restoration projects, ranging from grasslands to re-wilding and re-wetting projects. Thousands of units are already available for purchase, which is just as well, since Defra estimate 1,300 ha of off-site units will be sought each year by developers.
The cost of each unit being sold by thirdparty providers will include management of the land for at least 30 years, monitoring and reporting, ecologist or other experts’ costs, insurance, costs to cover work if the habitat fails, machinery, tools and other staff to carry out the tasks, inflation and market competition costs and the cost of legal administration. Defra estimate the cost for each unit is likely to be in the region of £9,000 - £15,000, however, due to the immature nature of the market, this figure may vary. Crucially for developers, once they purchase BNG units from third parties, they absolve themselves of all liability for BNG mitigation. Developers who cannot use on-site or off-site units to deliver BNG must purchase ‘statutory credits’ (note the difference in terminology between units and credits) from the government. This option is regarded as a last resort and priced accordingly high; statutory credit prices are set to ensure they
do not compete with the development of units for sale by third parties. The proceeds from the sale of ‘statutory credits’ will go towards government-led conservation projects.
The biodiversity metric tool is currently being developed so that when BNG becomes mandatory in November 2023, developers who need statutory credits can work out how many they need, depending on their intended development.
In July 2023 the government announced indicative prices for statutory credits, starting at £42,000 per credit for more common habitats, up to £650,000 for rare habitats. Exact prices are due to be released ahead of November 2023.
BNG is one of many government initiatives purported to increase the number of ‘green jobs’ and has the potential to benefit every member of the landscape and wider environmental community, from ecologists to designers, suppliers to contractors.
The potential benefits to the landscape and environmental industries are likely to arise from various aspects of work throughout the BNG process:
• Assessment of development site (predevelopment): provision of ecological services for an assessment of the site and delivery of biodiversity gain plan
• Design of habitats for developers, either as part of on-site projects or off-site projects, as part of biodiversity gain plan
• Design of habitats for third-party land owners looking to sell units to developers
• Creation of habitat as described in biodiversity gain plan: the creation of habitats using materials, products and skilled labour
• Creation of habitats for third-party land owners, using materials, products and skilled labour
• Monitoring of sites: provision of regular monitoring services of the site by competent persons. Subject to agreement, may be undertaken during maintenance of site by operatives
• Maintenance of site: regular, skilled maintenance of all living aspects including replacement of failed specimens and damaged products
Aside from the obvious need to enhance and create a wide range of high-quality new habitats on sites of all sizes and locations,
habitats created under the BNG scheme must be secured for a minimum of 30 years.
Given the intended life expectancy of projects and the level of scrutiny they will face by the local planning authority and interest groups, it is likely that regular, skilled assessment and maintenance will be in demand throughout England. Landscape professionals of all disciplines should benefit from the demand for skilled maintenance work on sites, either on developer-led sites or off-site for private enterprises.
Historically, the success of global biodiversity compensation schemes has been mixed. Ensuring proposed compensatory ecological gains materialise, and last for the duration of the harms they are meant to compensate for, has been a key challenge.
All off-setting schemes risk incentivising developers to minimise their costs by underestimating the biodiversity impacts or seeking the least costly forms of compensation. Developers and project proponents are also often better resourced than statutory agencies tasked with regulating the system.
Peer-reviewed research into the likely success of mandatory BNG used information collected from major developments across six ‘early adopter’ councils, who started implementing policies equivalent to BNG in advance of the mandatory introduction. Research findings suggest the flexibility of the system which allows developers to meet their BNG obligations, together with the quality and consistency of governance overseeing the projects, is a determining factor in whether the environment and the landscape industry will benefit from mandatory BNG.
The BNG metric requires inputs based on judgements of ecological consultants working for developers, and is particularly sensitive to habitat type, distinctiveness, and condition score. To avoid sites being undervalued, sufficient information must be provided in BNG assessments to ensure ecologists working for local authorities can scrutinise them. To help, earlier this year the government announced £15.76m has been committed to help local authorities recruit additional ecologists and specialists necessary to audit BNG applications.
The Government is encouraging on-site biodiversity improvements above off-site areas or the purchase of units from third parties. Researchers suggest this approach should be subject to councils being suitably staffed to monitor compliance. Currently, the reactive nature of English planning
enforcement is poorly suited to guaranteeing the delivery of high-quality habitats, and research suggests compliance with onsite habitat mitigation and compensation measures in the UK is currently low.
The BNG system proposed in the UK will trade biodiversity losses today for uncertain future gains. Promises of future biodiversity gains represents a risk, since compensation measures are only of value if mitigation projects are implemented as per proposals and maintained appropriately. Poor projects have the potential to undermine biodiversity benefits.
Research into early BNG schemes revealed the overall area of green space within developments declined, despite a 20% increase in biodiversity. The overall decline in greenspace area isn’t necessarily bad news, as the loss will be mitigated by habitats of higher distinctiveness and condition in the future, which should increase ecological resources available to wildlife.
The most reliable mechanism for reducing the impact of development on biodiversity is to redirect development to previously degraded sites. This approach isn’t always possible, which means some degree of impact will result from development.
However, the current rate of loss is unsustainable, due to biodiversity being undervalued either during initial site assessment or when mitigating the effects of development.
The landscape industry is frequently called upon to replace greenspaces and habitats destroyed by construction and infrastructure projects, but members will be aware the landscape and wider environmental industry is also undervalued, with adequate funds for successful schemes rarely allocated. Members will be familiar with that feeling of frustration upon seeing badly executed landscape elements: poorly staked or planted trees, use of damaged specimens, poor quality materials or workmanship. Members will also be familiar with the barriers to the success of landscape elements: overzealous value engineering and unrealistic maintenance budgets.
BNG represents a good step towards mitigating land lost to development of all sizes and has the potential to conserve and improve the overall quality of important habitats. The creation of work which utilises the broad range of skills offered by the landscape industry should also be celebrated.
The Association hopes BNG will provide statutory agencies with the teeth to police non-conformance, and the industry with realistic budgets to create and maintain sites.
Owen Baker Technical OfficerPolicy and Research
RHS Chelsea seems a very long time ago – the warm weather was what we hoped the whole of our summer would feel like. We had our love for the haughty iris reignited by way of Sarah Price’s painterly garden, whilst sipping The Newt’s honeyed Rose, Chelsea’s new sponsor.
BALI Equity Ambassador, Manoj Malde, delivered one of the most uplifting gardens that Chelsea has seen for a several yearsThe Eastern Eye Garden of Unity. What struck me as I arrived at the garden was the vibe and buzz all around the periphery. People loved the dizzying colours Manoj is so fond of“it makes you smile” - I heard one visitor say. And we all need a little of that right now.
After patiently waiting my turn to speak to Manoj, I ask him what narrative he is hoping to achieve with his vibrant project. Manoj smiles and says - “it’s so simple! Gardening is, and should be, for everyone!” He arches his eyebrows as if to tell me that apparently, this isn’t always obvious to people - especially those who perhaps find access to green spaces a little harder than those fortunate enough to visit the show. He continues, “Community gardens and communal outdoor
spaces are vital to the health and wellbeing of local communities. They help initiate friendships and support networks bringing communities together. Gardening knows no social class, colour, faith, religion, or sexual orientation. It's a universal language.” Manoj is so passionate about these beliefs, and I don’t interrupt him as he waves his arms to indicate everyone visiting the garden - “These barriers are created by man, not nature.”
I ask Manoj if he feels his ambitions and passions have changed direction in the past 20 years - the things that are important to him. Without hesitation, Manoj replies; “My ambitions and passion have remained steadfast. When I created my garden Beneath a Mexican Sky in 2017 at the Chelsea Flower Show, I knew that I would be back at Chelsea one day and I would be on Main Avenue. It is important to me that the horticulture industry is both diverse and inclusive. I would like people to understand that if they want to be a part of something wonderful, they must also get involved - and not just be a bystander”
As always, Manoj is quick to thank those that made the garden possible at Chelsea, and highlights The Gadd Brothers along with
Lawn & Border Landscapes, his contractors. “I love working with contractors who are problem solvers and enjoy the challenge of finding a solution. Two of the team members were still in their teens,” Manoj enthuses. “Adam, 19 and Morgan,18. The skills that they had acquired learning on the job was heartwarming. They were so proud that this was their second Chelsea Flower Show. Will Gadd is an exemplary team leader who also takes great initiative in developing his team.”
He goes on to tell me about some of the other projects he is working on. “I am currently writing a book, launching in 2024. It is for the gardening beginner, first-time property owners, enthusiasts and those who simply want to design their own garden. The book offers the reader an award-winning garden designer by their side to mentor them as they embark upon their personal garden journey.” This seems to
"Gardening knows no social class, colour, faith, religion, or sexual orientation. It's a universal language."
be one of Manoj’s talents - wanting everyone to feel invited to the party, and his passion and energy taking you along for the ride. He is ensuring the book is helpful to those wanting to do something different and not just a showcase for his work.
I ask him about his inspiration for the garden at Chelsea. He tells me; “It is steeped in my childhood and the journey of an economic migrant who came to live in the UK. I have intertwined both my Indian and African heritage into the garden. The colours are inspired by Indian women’s saris. As a child I was surrounded by beautiful women wearing colourful saris. My mother wore them every day. The aubergine colour in the garden comes from a sari gifted to my mum by my grandfather, when she and my father married. It is covered in real silver thread embroidery. Silvery foliaged plants are interwoven throughout the planting scheme to signify that.”
He continues describing the inspiration and content of the garden: “The kuba cloth used as a runner on the table, is woven by an African tribe. The table itself is curated with tropical flora from proteas to helichonias, with tropical fruits and vegetables and spices. Ingredients that are used in kitchens of diverse communities.”
The elements that Manoj has included reflect so much of his life, a sort of horticulture biopic. “I studied Islam for my religious education
exams and the five pillars of Islam have always remained with me. Five trees have been planted in the garden to represent Love, Kindness, Compassion, Empathy and Unity. Something we should all base our lives on. The pergola was inspired by a quote by Maya Angelou that resonates with me, “Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud”. When moving to the UK I grew up as a North London boy where there is a strong Jewish community. I wanted this community to also be a part of the garden, so I put a mezuzah on the pergola. Posts with braille were included to make a statement that enable the sight impaired community to be involved. Wide entrances and exit points allow for wheelchair access. The fragmented limestone slabs represent a broken society. However, when a broken society unites and works together, positivity is created for the whole community.”
For those of you who saw the news on the opening day of the show you would not have been able to miss the vibrant photographs showing Manoj and his now husband, Clive, swathed in pink and turquoise, getting married on the garden. A photographer’s dream to have such colour to record. It was Manoj’s way of ensuring the LGBTQ community were also involved in the garden and the RHS ensuring it happened. Manoj goes on to say that as well as positivity, he also received words of hate on social media. “Small minds will never win. I have risen through
racism and homophobia as a young man, and I will rise through it again.”
It seems shocking in 2023 that people’s love for each other can stir up anything other than celebration. We have a long way to go, but Manoj’s resilience and love for what he does means we’ve only just seen the start of his campaign for more colour in the garden and love in our lives.
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Threads - an introduction
Threads, the new social media platform from Meta, is the biggest rival we’ve seen to Twitter (now X) in recent years. After being released in early July, the number of users grew exponentially making Threads the fastest-growing app in history, reaching a staggering 100 million users within its first 5 days of being live. But what is Threads? How can it be used? Is it worth signing up for?
Meta, and more specifically their Instagram team, launched Threads at seemingly the perfect time. Twitter users had been complaining about the app for a while, with Elon Musk making controversial decision after controversial decision. Meta used this to its advantage launching what they’ve acknowledged to be an early release of the app. What is Threads?
The concept and appearance of Threads is extremely similar to Twitter. However, the most noticeable difference in these early days is how the community interacts with each other. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has said that “the goal isn’t to replace Twitter” but it is for “communities on Twitter (and other platforms) that are interested in a less angry place for conversations”. And so far, this seems to be hitting the mark. Users and businesses alike
have been finding the app as a more relaxed platform, with many taking a different tone of voice and approach on Threads. How can Threads be used for business?
As Threads is linked with Instagram, it makes the signing-up process extremely easyproviding you already have an Instagram account. Otherwise, you need to set one up. Once you have signed up to Threads a lot of the existing accounts you’re connected with should transfer over, meaning that if you have an already substantial following on Instagram, you are likely to have a good start numberswise on Threads too.
But it isn’t only your followers that are carried over from Instagram. The relationship between the two apps means that your handle is also carried across, so you’re not in danger of losing this. For example, @BALILandscapeUK on Instagram would automatically own @BALILandscapeUK on Threads - ensuring nobody else can claim this first.
There is a lot of opportunity for imagery and videos to be shared and seen. Nicely presented carousels of photos are a great opportunity to share before and after images, or simply share a collection of completed project imagery.
At the moment, there isn’t any paid advertising available on Threads - this will undoubtedly change once the app has settled, but for now, everything done on the platform is content to populate the feed. Threads currently isn’t available on social scheduling tools, meaning that any posts have to be sent directly from the app, at the time you want to post it. We expect this to change but worth knowing at this point in time.
An improved search system was a highly requested feature, with users initially only able to look up other users on the app, rather than being able to search for specific topics or keywords. Given the rapid update programme behind the scenes, it’s good to see this has now been made available to English speaking users.
Additionally, one of the biggest updates made is the addition of a ‘following’ feed. The app originally launched with a ‘for you’ like feed, combining updates from the accounts you follow and accounts it believes you’ll be interested in based on your current followers and your follower's followers. Now users can filter to only see account content they chose to follow.
As mentioned earlier, the app generated over 100 million users in its first 5 days - for comparison, ChatGPT was previously the fastest-growing app on the market and took 2 months for that app to achieve the same number of users.
Meta’s user base of over 3 billion makes it the clear competitor to Twitter/X. Threads is in the strongest position to convert those into users on the new app.
As a business, if you can give Threads the time and energy it needs in its infancy then signing up should be a consideration. It provides an additional or alternate platform to share your latest news and interact with your community, especially rewarding when the engagement rate on Threads is higher than that of Twitter/X, But, if you don’t want to commit to using another platform just yet, the arrival of business scheduling tools and analytics in the coming months could be the point in time to take another look.
From 1 July, Google has stopped tracking website data in Google Analytics using ‘Universal Analytics’ technology and will only allow website owners to use Google Analytics 4 technology.
GA4 is the next iteration of Analytics. GA4 is set to improve over Universal Analytics with cross-platform tracking (web+apps), eventbased data and privacy focused design. It may require different code to be inserted into your website for you to track your website on Google Analytics.
Google wants to introduce more modern tools to help marketers track customer data more effectively as part of the next generation of technology.
GA4 uses a different data collection method, meaning data will not be like for like with the older Universal Analytics. Google suggests the newer technology benefits from being more accurate.
As previously stated, the way Google Analytics 4 tracks data means that there will be discrepancies in statistics before and after you start using GA4 instead of Universal Analytics.
Adtrak clients benefit from having all of this handled for them in advance of the July switchover. This work is covered as part of our ongoing marketing service to our BALI
clients. Your website will continue to function as normal and data will continue to track for performance reporting.
For more information on Threads, Social Media, GA4 or to discuss your own digital marketing, contact Adtrak and we will be happy to talk to you.
adtrak.co.uk
With the recruitment of staff continuing to be a key issue for many of you, we are pleased to offer BALI Jobs as one of the key benefits of your membership. BALI Jobs is a specific online job board to recruit or advertise your current vacancies in partnership with Horticulture Careers, delivered by Eljays44 and the home of Pro Landscaper.
As an Association member you can advertise any horticulture and landscaping vacancies on this website. The sign-up process is simple, quick and with a 33% discount on their packages for members, it is very cost effective.
All job advertisements can be purchased at a special rate and will be advertised on the job board at horticulturecareers.co.uk
They will also feature on weekly emails to Pro Landscaper’s extensive client database which is made up of over 21,000 professionals in the industry and covers all experience levels, from entry-level landscapers to senior professionals.
There are three packages as set out below and Association membership gives you 33% discount on the price of each Package.
The Bronze package includes a 28-day job listing on the website, one tweet on the Pro Landscaper Twitter page, one refresh to put the vacancy back at the top of the job board and one listing in Pro Landscaper magazine job page.
Standard price: £275
Member price: £184.25
The Silver package includes a 28-day job listing on the website, one tweet on the Pro Landscaper Twitter page, one refresh to put the vacancy back at the top of the job board, one inclusion on job mailer sent out via email to Pro Landscaper’s database and one listing in Pro Landscaper magazine job page.
Standard price: £345
Member price: £231.15
The Gold package includes a 28-day job listing on the website, two tweets on the Pro Landscaper Twitter page, one refresh to put the vacancy back at the top of the job board, two inclusions on job mailer sent out via email to Pro Landscaper’s database and one listing in Pro Landscaper magazine job page.
Standard price: £425
Member price: £284.75
As an added bonus, all first-time users of the Horticulture Careers website get a job posting free of charge although this doesn’t include all the extra advertising benefits of the paid packages above. For a free job posting create an account at horticulturecareers.co.uk and select the ‘free job posting online’ package.
Where do I start?
To book a package and upload a vacancy make contact with Mark Wellman at Eljays44 by email at mark.wellman@eljays44.com or call him on +44(0)1903 777583. If you would like to ask a question or have a query related to the packages above, please contact the membership team, membership@bali.org.uk, or call +44(0)24 7669 8651.
We have all heard of A levels and some of us (including this writer) are old enough to remember O levels. To that list, we can now add T Levels in the Landscaping sector. This September sees the first teaching of the new T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production, a T Level that includes the Ornamental Horticulture & Landscaping as an occupational pathway specialism.
Equivalent to three A-levels, these new technical qualifications are based on standards developed with employer involvement. These new qualifications are part of the drive to strengthen the technical education system in England. The Government's aim is that T Levels will become one of the main choices for students after GCSEs, alongside apprenticeships, A levels and other qualifications not served by A levels or T Levels.
In the Summer 2020 edition of Landscape News, the Association told you how the Government was developing T Levels, in part, to address the perceived imbalance in the value of vocational education in England.
In the time since, BALI has been involved with the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education trailblazer and the City and Guilds Employer Industry Board, who have been responsible for developing the T Level and its introduction to learners.
These new qualifications feature a significant element of industry placement with the aim of giving students the opportunity to work with employers and prepare them for 'the world of work'. Like apprenticeships, T Levels have been developed with employers’ input and are based on the same standards. However, whereas apprenticeships are work-based, T Levels are mainly classroom or workshop based, with around 45 days a year set aside for work placements (about 20% of the total teaching time), either as a block, day release or a mix of these. With so much emphasis on the skills gap that exists in the industry, T Levels are another way that aims to get technically trained people to fill key roles.
Students who complete a T Level will receive an overall grade of pass, merit, distinction or distinction* and will be awarded with a nationally recognised certificate showing a breakdown of what they have achieved. It will also confirm that a student has met the minimum requirements
for maths and English qualifications (students are also required to work towards the attainment of maths and English if they have not already achieved grade 4 at GCSE).
Of course, T-Levels will not be for everyone, but for those students who are not yet ready to undertake a T-Level, a transition programme was introduced in 2022. The T Level transition programme is a 1-year post-GCSE study programme designed to support progression to, and success on, a T Level. It’s aimed at students who would like to do a T Level but would benefit from additional preparation and support before starting one. The programme gives students the opportunity to study technical content aligned to T Levels and develop their English, maths and digital skills, alongside work experience and personal development.
With the new qualification set to be delivered to learners, City and Guilds is still looking for employers to help shape the courses and prepare young people for today’s job market. City and Guilds is the awarding organisation delivering this T Level on behalf of the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).
City and Guilds offer several opportunities, each with slightly different focuses and commitment levels.
City and Guilds is looking for employers to join one of its Employer and Industry Boards. These Boards are composed of industry representatives who meet periodically to review and develop existing programmes as well as develop new ones. Employer and industry Board members supply technical expertise and guidance to support the development of qualifications, assessments, and grade standards. If this is something that interests you, then you can fill out the expression of interest form on the City and Guilds website or contact BALI for more details.
If you are an employer in England, you could offer an industry placement to a T Level student via your local T Level school or college. This will give you the opportunity to help the next generation of workers succeed by giving them knowledge, experience, and relevant skills. You do not need to pay to take on a T Level student for a placement, although there may be certain opportunity costs associated with taking on a student -
such as the time needed to plan, train, and supervise the student coming into your business. Although the land-based T Level is now in its first year of delivery, employers are still needed to review qualification content and assessment, as well as supply feedback and make sure that the qualification’s scope, range, and content continue to be fit for the industry. These groups meet around five times a year, but the meetings tend to be short – lasting no longer than two hours each. City and Guilds also give a half-day training session for those new to the activities.
By providing your time and input, you will be helping to ensure that T Levels remain relevant to the industry and that they accurately reflect current industry practices. This way, employers can be confident learners are equipped with the right knowledge and skills to enter work in the sector. You can find further details of the application process on the City and Guilds website: cityandguilds.com/tlevels
We are pleased to announce that GoLandscape will be the key sponsor of the Training, Education and Employment village
of this year’s Futurescape event which is taking place at London’s Excel in November. Futurescape is the UK’s largest landscape trade event. We are delighted to feature so prominently at this year’s event providing speakers and background information that will highlight all that the Association is doing through its GoLandscape initiative to promote the industry, skills, and training. We would love to see you there. You can register for free tickets here: futurescapeexpo-2023.reg.buzz/website
So, there is no excuse! Come along and see what we have to say about the future of skills and training in the industry. It will be great to see you there.
Jonathan Pettit Landscape Skills and Careers Manager
Confirmed dates for industry shows and events 2023. Correct at time of print. For the most up-to-date listings visit bali.org.uk/events
5 October Regional event: Westonbirt Arboretum visit bali.org.uk/events
10 October Regional event: British Sugar TOPSOIL Wissington factory tour bali.org.uk/events
12 October Regional event: Party at Palmers social evening bali.org.uk/events
17 October Regional event: Riding the waves of business bali.org.uk/events
1 - 2 November Trade show: SALTEX saltex.org.uk
21 - 22 November Trade show: FutureScape London futurescapeevent.com
1 December National Landscape Awards baliawards.co.uk
With Perennial’s impact on people’s lives revealed as greater than ever, the charity helping people in horticulture is calling for the industry to help sustain its community.
The charity’s 2022 Impact Report and recent figures show the pressing need for its services across the industry. 24,000 preventative services and activities were delivered last year, with 1,895 people and their families receiving direct personal support to improve their lives.
During the first half of 2023, Perennial provided services to 1,184 people, compared to 897 in the first half of 2022. This steep increase of 31% highlights the urgent need for increased support for Perennial’s work from the industry.
Perennial’s vision is for all those who work with plants, trees, flowers or grass to know about Perennial and how it can help. The charity relies on and is grateful to those demonstrating a commitment to support the horticultural community and invest in its future. In 2022:
• 123 businesses were part of Perennial’s Partner Scheme contributing £93k worth of funding
• Four major wholesale nurseries collaborated to form Plants for Perennial. The joint initiative is an example of how businesses can work together to raise funds and awareness through plant sales
• 45 businesses supported employees through Perennial’s mental health first aiders’ pilot scheme that was launched to create a culture of mental wellbeing in the workplace
• 700 trade show visitors monitored their health using Perennial's health kiosk, blood pressure checks and grip strength tests A better quality of life is within reach for everyone in horticulture. Through its services surrounding health and wellbeing, networks and financial wellbeing Perennial will continue to improve lives. The horticulture industry can help by spreading the word about Perennial and by raising funds to support its work.
Free services for people in horticulture that the industry can promote are:
• Nudge, the free personalised money management tool introduced to help improve people’s financial wellbeing with relevant financial information that can have a positive impact on their money management. 115 people took control of their money and financial wellbeing within the first few weeks of its launch
• A Health & Wellbeing platform and app offered to support the body, mind and life, with people regularly engaging with recipe ideas, fitness plans, meditations, articles, podcasts and videos. 420 users were guided by the health and wellbeing app last year
• Help with training - Upskilling and training support trebled in 2022 compared to 2021, enabling 76 people to enhance their careers
• Helpline: For advice, information and support use the online Services Contact Form at perennial.org.uk/servicescontact-form or call 0800 093 8543
Perennial experiences a steep increase in the need for its support
baliawards.co.uk
BALI_Awards baliawards
Friday 1 December 2023 11am - 4:30pm
JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London
For general enquiries, contact Emily Feeney
Telephone: +44(0)24 7518 5613
Email: emily.feeney@bali.org.uk
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Diane McCulloch
Telephone: +44(0)24 7518 5614
Email: diane.mcculloch@bali.org.uk
Topsoil Green-tree
