Glendale Countryside to prioritise young apprentices: “It’s something the industry has struggled with”
After taking home the awards for Grounds Maintenance Company and Supreme Winner at Pro Landscaper’s Business Awards, in association with Caribbean Blinds, 2025, Glendale Countryside feels confident in bringing new people into the industry.
Head of Business Development, Chris Threlfall explains the company wants to prioritise young arborists by bringing them into the industry with apprenticeships. While this has been something, he says, the industry has struggled with before, he is confident the awards will help drive new people into the industry.
“To have this award, in terms of attracting new people into the industry, it’s massively impactful.”
Threlfall explains throughout his five and a half years within the industry, it has been difficult to recruit young arborists. The company re-launched its arb academy in 2024, originally launched in 2013 and Threlfall says it’s the next big priority in the business.
“It’s something that the industry has found difficult. We’ve struggled to recruit arborists during that period, so that’s one of our bigger priorities this year and beyond.”
Glendale Countryside pick up Supreme Winner after also winning Grounds Maintenance Company
Providing green space management services nationally and locally, the company thrives under its ‘together we achieve more’ values. Proud of the company’s recognition, Threlfall thanks “the people that deliver our services every day across the UK that have won that award.”
Threlfall noticed the high standard within the industry at the awards, “the standards are always being pushed,” he says. He explains this is great for the entire industry, especially when it comes to welcoming new people. It is “passionate from the ground to board level,” he says.
Glendale previously won Grounds Maintenance Company at Pro Landscaper’s Business Awards in 2023, after being shortlisted for the same awards in 2021.
Judges on the Business Awards panel this year described Glendale as “a very strong winner with clear direction and achievements.” The company was then awarded with Supreme Winner because of its staff development, social responsibility and client retention.
Since the awards at the end of April, Threlfall says the company has concentrated on “making sure that everybody at Glendale feels like they’ve been part of winning that award.”
The Pro Landscaper Business Awards will return in 2026, companies can register their interest here.