Pro Landscaper’s movers and shakers of the year
Across the industry there are plenty of game changing faces making their mark. Here is a list of Pro Landscaper’s top movers and shakers:
James Aldrige
James Aldridge Landscape + Garden Design
Back in May, garden designer and horticulturist, James Aldrige was appointed garden design diploma course leader at the London College of Garden Design.
After graduating with a degree in horticulture, Aldridge has gone on to work for The Prince of Wales at Highgrove before setting up his own garden design practice, covering projects across the UK and beyond.
Now, with 16 years of teaching experience at the College under his belt, he steps into his new role to train up the next generation.
Saira Ali
Bradford Metropolitan District Council
During the summer, Saira Ali was voted onto the Landscape Institute (LI) board as the new president-elect.
Set to take over from current president Carolin Göhler next July, Ali comes in with a priority to ensure LI members are empowered, celebrated and heard.
Since the news came out, Ali has been involved in several award ceremonies as a judge, including the Europe Heat of the Pro Landscaper International Awards and Pro Landscaper’s Sustainability & Biodiversity Awards, in association with Hortus Loci Landscapes.
Aidan Bell
idverde UK
Career changer Aidan Bell stepped into his new role as CEO at idverde UK this year, marking a new chapter rooted in people, purpose, and the power of green careers.
When speaking to Pro Landscaper in August he emphasised the importance of championing green career benefits to bridge the skills gap.
He looks to leverage idverde’s long standing heritage as a way to secure its continuing presence in the industry.
Jamie Butterworth
Form Plants
From TV hosting to publishing a book – not to mention creating a show garden – it’s been a busy year for plantsman Jamie Butterworth.
Back in May he joined celebrity presenter and designer, Monty Don to bring the RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden to life at Chelsea, marking Don’s debut at the show.
Those that tuned into the BBC’s coverage of the show will have also seen Butterworth as he guided viewers through other gardens as a first-time presenter for the show.
Then in September, Butterworth added author to his repertoire with the launch of his new book, What Grows Together: Fail-safe Plant Combinations for Every Garden.
Luke Coleman
Luke Coleman Gardens
A year of awards for Luke Coleman; he was awarded with both a Gold medal and Best Construction at RHS Wentworth Woodhouse for his debut Drakkar’s Drift garden.
In result of his success, Coleman then scooped the RHS Young Designer of the Year, an accolade tailored for young youngers and contractors under 30 years old.
Coleman also picked up a Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30: The Next Generation, in association with Green-tech, award which he collected during FutureScape in October alongside this year’s cohort, including younger brother Joe Coleman.
Teasing new projects and designs for 2026, next year could be just as successful for Coleman.
Lee Connelly
The Children’s Gardening Coach
Formally the Skinny Jean Gardener, Lee Connelly rebranded to The Children’s Gardening Coach this year – a fitting change given all Connelly has achieved this year.
In May, Connelly visited 15 schools as part of National Children’s Gardening Week – for which he was the official ambassador – with the aim of getting 10k children into gardening.
Next year is gearing up to be another big one for the children’s gardening ambassador, as he teams back up with his brother, Dale for a new partnership – Brothers With. The first project sees the brothers return to Japan to redevelop a theme park attraction the pair previously worked on together back in the day.
Connelly will also take to the stage in 2026 for his new live show, The Magic of Gardening.
Sarah Eberle
Sarah Eberle Landscape and Garden Design
Coming out of show retirement, Sarah Eberle announced in October that she would be returning to RHS Chelsea Flower Show next year to celebrate the centenary of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).
Earlier this year, Eberle won the SGD’s Garden of the Year Award in February. (Later rebranded to the SGLD).
Her Anglo-Japanese Strolling Garden in Oxfordshire scooped both the Large Residential Garden Award and the Planting Design Award before collected the ultimate prize of the night.
Lucy Fisher
idverde UK
idverde’s operations director, Lucy Fisher, champions sustainability across her career, and understands the importance of nurturing emerging talent within the industry.
Whilst chatting to Pro Landscaper for its Green Issue in March, Fisher explains: “I see myself as an advocate for integrating sustainability into idverde’s day-to-day operations.”
In recognition of her efforts, Fisher was voted Sustainability Leader at Pro Landscaper’s Sustainability & Biodiversity Awards in October.
Emma Hindle
Ground Control
An asset to Ground Control, Emma Hindle’s passion for nature and the planet is loud. Now acting as the company’s business development director of landscape, design, energy and biodiversity net gain, Hindle continues to climb the career ladder.
Beginning the year as business development manager, she stepped into the role of director in May, and just recently, the role has been shifted slightly to focus on the landscaping and design space of the company.
On top of this, Hindle works closely with Ground Control’s Evergreen Fund, which dedicates 5% of Ground Control’s annual net profits to a £5m Impact Venture Fund focused on environmental initiatives and carbon sequestration.
Hindle also spoke at this year’s FutureScape on a panel with other former Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30 Award winners, discussing her own career, the future of the industry and her own predictions.
Joe Perkins
Joe Perkins Design
Owner and founder of Joe Perkins Design, Joe Perkins received an SGLD Fellowship in October. As one of six recipients this year, Perkins was celebrated in recognition of his contribution to the profession and to the wider landscape and horticultural industry.
Back in May, Perkins also picked up a Gold medal for his The King’s Trust Garden: Seeding Success Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
On top of this, Perkins also designed the Garden for the Future at Sheffield Park and Garden in East Sussex as a means to observe and track how new and old species respond together in their new environment.
Ben Walker
Walker Landscape & Design
An expansion as part of Walker Landscape & Design, Ben Walker’s outdoor living part of the business has continued to grow since its founding in 2022.
Most recently, Walker has opened a Millboard Experience Centre at his showroom in Cheshire; the second of its kind. He also partnered with Roostr Kitchens in becoming the UK’s only distributor this year.
In celebration of these relationships, Walker’s exhibition stand at FutureScape in October hosted an outdoor kitchen combining both Roostr and Millboard’s offerings with his design and build services. During the same event, Walker launched the Walker Collective.
An outdoor living community, Walker has created a space that is free for professionals with access to advice, events and training sessions.
Chloë Webster
Harry Holding Studio
At 29-years-old, Chloë Webster has shifted her career and is already seeing success as a garden designer. Once upon a time, she worked in film, but with a passion for the planet and sustainability, she moved over to horticulture.
Webster achieved the BALI Chalk Fund Top Student of the Year in October, during the same month she also picked up a Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30: The Next Generation Award.
Very much a rising star, Webster is also working on the Eden Project: Bring Me Sunshine RHS Chelsea Flower Show Garden for 2026 with Harry Holding Studio.
Alan Williams
Landform Consultants
One of the driving forces behind the Glasshouse Collective, Alan Williams worked closely with Mark Gregory to create the business to business purposed space.
The hub showcases reclaimed objects from previous projects – many of which visitors will recognise from past Chelsea shows, while facilitating partnerships between key supplies, organisations, and companies.
The idea is to host exclusive gatherings for clients to visit and network and explore a range of products.
Holly Youde
W Outdoor Living
In March, Wright Landscapes introduced W Outdoor Living as a means of expanding its expertise into the growing sector of exterior kitchens, canopies and wellness spaces.
Based at Pickmere Nursery, Holly Youde leads the new development as director.
When chatting to Pro Landscaper, Youde says the growth comes as “outdoor living spaces have gained significantly greater importance, intertwining with a growing focus on wellbeing and mental health.”
A speaker at FutureScape, Youde discussed her tips for the industry as well as predictions for the next few years alongside other names in the outdoor living market.
