by Holly Chapman | 07 May 26 | Domestic Landscaping, News
Compass Pools by Waterstream has introduced its new UK ambassador programme for outdoor specialist trades to maximise swimming pool enquiries with ease.
Designed for pool companies, landscapers, garden designers and outdoor living specialists, the programme introduces a referral model to support collaboration between trade partners.
Ambassadors have the opportunity to pass residential enquiries directly to Compass Pools and be financially rewarded in return as projects move forward.
Alex Kemsley, managing director at Compass Pools comments:
“This programme unlocks opportunities for enquiries to create genuine commercial return, with the project itself being delivered by a specialist installer with the right systems already in place.”
Operating nationwide, the Ambassador Programme is supported by Compass Pools’ Design Consultants, structured technical briefings and approved marketing materials.
by Bethany Vann | 10 Mar 26 | Garden Design, News
Compass Pools by Waterstream publishes its latest Swimming Pool Trends Report, taking a look into how the UK pool design sector is evolving to meet changing needs.
The report draws on research from 2k homeowners and recent installation data – it highlights a significant shift towards pools designed as integrated architectural features that prioritise performance, efficiency and year-round usability.
Findings also reveal a rise in popularity, with pools now ranking as the UK’s most desirable luxury home addition (27%).
The report identities three specification-led trends that could influence pool design in the year ahead:
Technology-driven pool ownership
Smart pool systems are looking to become the standard – driven by a conscious choice to steer towards more sustainable solutions.
Almost 90% of prospective pool owners see water and energy management as essential factors in their decision-making.
This consideration has led to a rise in technological solutions that enable homeowners to control cleaning, heating and lighting with voice commands or mobile apps.
The rise of compact and creative design
Increasing attention to urban domestic gardens – accelerated by a growing awareness of their benefits – has had a ripple effect on the uptake in premium – such as pools – being a requested inclusion in urban and mid-sized plots.
Darker finishes – both in colour and material choices – are rising in popularity as a means to achieve a more contemporary, design-driven look.
The rise in small scale pools has the potential to alleviate one of the biggest perceived obstacles to pool ownership, which for 28% of homeowners is a lack of garden space.
Pools as wellness hubs
As awareness of the benefits afforded by outdoor spaces rises, so too has the emphasis placed on health and wellbeing opportunities in garden design.
The report findings reveal that 70% believe having a swimming pool will significantly improve their accessibility to these opportunities. I
Pools are being paired with saunas, cold plunge zones and hydrotherapy features, creating holistic environments for relaxation, recovery and daily wellness routines.
Alex Kemsley, MD of Compass Pools by Waterstream, comments on the findings:
“For architects and landscape designers, the brief is shifting toward high‑performance, low‑maintenance builds that are integrated into the site from day one.”
Download and read the full Swimming Pool Trends Report here.
by Holly Chapman | 02 Oct 25 | Garden Design, Long Reads
Rachel Platt
A garden design graduate, business founder and multi-award winner, Rachel Platt has certainly busied herself over the years. We spoke to Platt about her growth within the industry, confidence and future business expansion plans.
A trail of success
From studying a postgraduate diploma in garden design at the Oxford College of Garden Design, Platt now runs her own business – Rachel Platt Garden Design. Followed by a trail of success, Platt became runner-up RHS Young Designer of the Year at Tatton Park in 2022. She also won a Silver-Gilt medal, Best Construction and People’s Choice for her COVID Recovery Garden. That same year, she picked up a Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30 award.
Repeating her success just a year later, in 2023 Platt once again received a Silver-gilt medal at RHS Tatton Park alongside Best Construction and People’s Choice for her Chained to Tech Garden.
Platt also mentions that she was selected as one of the Stars Under 30 at the Vande Moortel Clay Paver Awards for 2022-2023.
Fast forward to this year, and Platt was seen working at RHS Wentworth Woodhouse back in July as she designed the RHS Teenage Dirt Park feature garden. A creative space, the garden is designed for thrill-seekers with a dirt track, vibrant graffiti seating and berm turns. Wrapped in resilient meadow planting, the space blends culture, nature and self-expression.
“When you talk about it out loud, it’s actually loads,” says Platt as we dissect what she’s been up to since winning a Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30 award.
“I’m working on growth, where I want to be, where my long term goals are and just getting a bit more business minded,” explains the 28-year-old garden designer as she plans for what’s next in her career. Since hitting 2k followers on Instagram, Platt also plans to grow her social media.
Hard work pays off
Recently, Platt completed a project with Nick Silva Landscapes and Ellicar Natural Pools for a South Buckinghamshire Wildlife Garden in Marlow designed to boost biodiversity by attracting wildlife and using edible plants. Featuring a natural, chemical-free pool designed in collaboration with Ellicar, the garden also includes a cosy firepit area, boulder seating, outdoor shower and a grape vine pergola for sunset dining.
South Buckinghamshire Wildlife Garden. Credit: Julie Skelton
“This was a really big deal for me because I think that was the start of believing in myself, in the sense that it was a much bigger project.”
Platt’s largest project to date, the Wildlife garden arose after the client asked for advice on removing a shrub. Thereafter, the project became a shrub to complete garden transformation which became an opportunity to utilise her skills within private residential design in collaboration with other companies.
Since winning not only a Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30 award, but competing within RHS shows and being celebrated for her achievements, Platt says “awards definitely help by opening doors. It’s a good way of building connections and relationships. But, they also give a person confidence”.
Rachel Platt was selected within Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation Awards in 2022
Divulging on her case of imposter syndrome, Platt says the awards are also “a reminder that I’ve worked hard, and I can achieve things”.
Humming silently in the background, Platt has also been growing her business skills with the help of steady consultation. Working with the help of Neil Stead, “I’m going to keep building the business,” explains Platt.
As her arms extend further into the business world, Platt looks ahead with hopes to expand Rachel Platt Garden Design with her own studio within the next five to 10 years.
Catch Rachel Platt at FutureScape in the Pro Landscaper theatre for Tomorrow’s Landscape: The Future of the Industry with three other 30 Under 30 alumni discussing technology, trends and innovations that are shaping the future of the landscaping industry. The panel will be hosted by Pro Landscaper’s Holly Chapman on Wednesday 8 October at 10am taking place at Excel London. Register for a free ticket here.
by The Pro Landscaper Team | 03 Jul 25 | Digital Editions
You don’t need me to tell you that the last month has been a scorcher; as I walked around the showground of RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival earlier this week, I was reminded of why we’re always discussing the need for climate resilient inclusions in our projects – a theme very much present at the show this year.
We know temperatures are rising, and while yes, we’re actively working to mitigate this, we still need to find ways to cool ourselves down in the meantime, and what’s a more luxurious way than by taking a dip in a pool?
Dive into the Pro Landscaper July 2025 issue where we explore the world of swimming pools and ponds, and get to know the gardens being featured at Hampton Court this week.
In this issue:
Let’s Hear It From…Sarah Murch. Ellicar’s Sarah Murch shares how the company has gone from almost discontinuing its pool services to now looking at expanding it.
Floral Forecast. Designer Kitti Kovacs marks her RHS Hampton Court debut with a garden enriched with Hungarian heritage and a look into what green spaces could look like in the years to come.
Why School Gardens Deserve Priority. The case for wellbeing and learning-rich spaces at a formative level builds as Natural History enters the curriculum.
Don’t miss:
Keeping It Green. Defra’s Nicola Spence delves into the vital role the industry is playing in safeguarding our nation’s plant health and biosecurity.
The Culture Club. See how companies like Tony Benger Landscaping, Nicholsons, and Tyler Grange are rewriting the company culture rulebook to benefit their employees.
Show Ground Musings. Catch-up with Lewis Normand as he shares his personal highlights from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the role these shows have in pushing the industry forward.
Read Pro Landscaper July 2025 here.
