Jack Aldridge steps into the role of horticultural curator next month – the first-ever to do so with The Royal Parks charity.

Focussing on delivering exceptional horticulture for park’s millions of visitors every year, Aldridge will work across all 5,000 acres of historic parkland.

The Royal Parks charity currently manages London’s eight Royal Parks, including Hyde Park and St James’s Park, both of which hold iconic memories in British history. From hosting the Lionesses winning homecoming parade after the Women’s European Championship in 2025 to holding the first park run or Suffragettes meetings, the Royal Parks act as important green spaces in London.

Aldridge holds a wealth of horticultural experience, including working at RHS Garden Wisley and managing the four-acre woodland Oakwood. He says:

“I am looking forward to working with the team to support the shared aim of delivering wow-factor horticulture and developing a world-class plant collection throughout the Royal Parks.”

As he approaches the role in the coming weeks, he looks to diversify the planting “in response to the changing climate offers us an exciting opportunity to push the boundaries and experiment with what we plant within a variety of interesting microclimates, bringing joy to visitors and putting The Royal Parks firmly on the global horticultural map.”

Matthew Pottage, head of horticulture and landscape strategy at The Royal Parks also comments:

“We have no doubt that Jack’s [Aldrdige] extensive plant knowledge will help us create extraordinary displays that are not only beautiful, but also resilient, as we adapt to meet the challenges of a changing climate.”