Jacob Betts, a trainee landscape designer for Urban Earth South West Limited, has graduated from The Oxford College of Garden Design with Distinction.

Oxford College’s Principal, Duncan Heather, said: “Jacob has excelled on this course. It has been a real pleasure to watch his growth in real time, from a competent landscape contractor to a highly gifted artist and designer. A personable young man, who is producing professional work of an extremely high calibre. I wish him every success for the future.”

Urban Earth director, Phil Yolland said: “Jacob is exactly the kind of person we are looking to have in our business; highly capable, self-motivated, wise beyond his years by some degrees, kind, considerate, thoughtful, extremely hard working, a very fast learner and hugely talented across the board, a display of ‘young brilliance’ in a very modest, measured and humble way already.

“He has taken to the designing of gardens very naturally, actively listens to our clients, working with their ideas combined with his experience, knowledge and creativity he often surpasses their initial expectations…We believe we have a real gem here and a flourishing young designer in our midst who could well be up and alongside other top designers in our local area.

“We are thrilled to have Jacob on board and hope that many of our new clients get the opportunity to enjoy the creative design and subsequent build process.”