Unaware of what a career in horticulture looked like when he was back at school, Sean Ryan is now a gardening supervisor at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Just recently promoted from gardener, and having been part of the industry for over 10 years, he intends to put horticulture on young people’s radar as his career continues to bloom.

After working a corporate sales job fresh out of school, Ryan felt something was off and quickly chose to tackle a level 2 apprenticeship back in 2016 with Capel Manor College instead. “Office life was not for me,” he admits. 

 “With an apprenticeship, you’re purely learning on the job. It sets such a good foundation for you to start.”

After completing the Ornamental Horticulture course by 2017, he worked with idverde at Holland Park.

It was Ryan’s head gardener at Holland Park that spotted a seasonal job at Wimbledon. “He knew I wanted to learn and progress,” says Ryan, and so off he went. Starting in March 2018, the six month’s job was extended until January, when he officially became full-time. “I was only really meant to be here for six months, and I’m coming up to eight years.”

As his career progresses, Ryan turns to his roots and the days he spent at Capel Manor College. “It needs to be communicated to younger generations that you don’t have to go to university. This was really pushed when I was at school.” Since, he has also completed the level 3 Environmental Conservation and Countryside Management course at Capel as well as a postgraduate diploma in Garden Design at the British Academy of Garden Design. 

As part of his role at Wimbledon, Ryan takes part in an initiative called Set for Success, funded by the Wimbledon Foundation in Partnership with Barclays and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust. The programme seeks to support those young people at risk of not achieving their full potential. Students from across the country were recently invited for a tour of the Wimbledon site featuring activities and conversations with people across different departments where Ryan spoke on a panel in an effort to educate school children on his career.

“They wanted to find out my background in terms of entering the industry through the apprenticeship route. I don’t know what schools are like now, but when I was at school, no one mentioned this industry to me at all. It wasn’t on my radar at all. 

“It was good to speak to the kids who might not know about other options, such as apprenticeships.”

A Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30: The Next Generation Award, in association with Green-tech, 2025 winner, Ryan describes the feeling of being selected: 

“It gives you a kind of recognition because sometimes you’re working really hard, and you could ask yourself why. And then, you get this validation from an external company after reading a summary of your entire career inside the application.”

“I think it is important to lead by example when trying to grow and push yourself. It is contagious.”

In doing so, Ryan hopes to open the doors of the industry to more and more young people as he continues to grow into his new managerial position at Wimbledon. 

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