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The Little Interview 51


RICHARD BARNARD Managing Director, Hillier Landscapes


What would you say is the best thing about your job?


Client and staff satisfaction.


What made you want to get into the industry? Passion for plants/landscape (from a farming background)


Challenges ahead in your work? To achieve a smooth handover of the company to allow me to pursue other outside industrial interests.


How is the bulk of your work made up? Domestic schemes both large and small.


JANINE PATTISON MSGD MBALI, Janine Pattison Garden Design, Bournemouth. www.janinepattison.com


What would you say is the best thing about your job?


Helping people to realise the garden of their dreams – whatever their budget.


What made you want to get into the industry? A passion for plants.


JONATHAN BUDDINGTON Head Groundsman, Wearmouth Welfare Ground, Southwick, Tyne & Wear


What would you say is the best thing about your job? I love my job because I have the constant opportunity to work outside amongst the wildlife, weather & nature.


What made you want to get into the industry?


I got into groundsmanship due to attending evening mid week matches at Sunderlands old Roker Park Ground. It was always wonderfully presented, under the lights-the grass seemed unreal, beautiful, almost artificial. I left school and attended local college for City & Guilds in Horticulture and I was on my way.


www.pro-landscaper.co.uk


Current trends in the market? Green Walls, Green Roofs, Specimen Tree Planting.


Your company’s plans for the next five years... Expand regional bases and increase size of contracts in the domestic market.


How do you remain competitive? Ensuring we retain quality work with staff enthusiastic and passionate about the contracts we undertake.


Who are you inspired by? Sir Edward Elgar.


Favourite film and TV shows… Mamma Mia – has particular significance, Countryfile, University Challenge, historical documentaries.


One thing you want to do before you’re too old?


Visit and listen to opera in all major opera houses.


Current trends in the market? Low-maintenance gardens that look like they’re not.


Your company’s plans for the next five years... Grow….grow….grow.


How do you remain competitive? By enjoying the game of the business.


Who are you inspired by? Christopher Lloyd, Andy Goldsworthy, Dan Pearson.


Challenges ahead in your work? My biggest worry is current financial climate. Bar takings remain steady, but for how long? Revenue from this avenue, means my budget and reduced custom will have an impact on the maintenance of my surfaces in future. My work is always under scrutiny by players and officials. Working alone, under time restrictions and with limited budget is always a stressful product. No matter what level you are at.


Your plans for the next five years? Having worked in the independent education sector, I would obviously like to return there. It is a known fact that sports facilities are massively important to this sector, proof is the percentage of national sports men and women they produce in comparison to the public education system.


One thing you want to do before you’re too old? See the Northern Lights


Countryside or seaside? The Dorset coastline means the best of both worlds.


Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter? Spring – I love the feeling of transition.


Where’s your favourite holiday destination? New Zealand – a land of contrasts, spectacular countryside and friendly people.


How do you remain competitive? Third sector partnerships are the way ahead, in terms of routes for grants/funding.


Favourite film and TV shows? My favourite film is It’s A Wonderful Life and my favourite TV show is I’m Alan Partridge.


Your proudest achievement? My biggest achievement was gaining the ECB County Cricket Pitch Advisers Qualification in March 2002.


Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter? I prefer Autumn as my favourite season. Spring is not far behind. But Autumn, with all the end of season renovation work on the bowls & cricket areas makes it a great time.


Countryside or seaside? Countryside.


Your proudest achievement? For the Company – Gold and Best show garden at Chelsea Flower Show and BALI Grand Award both won in 2007. For myself – Receiving the Royal Horticultural Society Associate of Honour in July of this year.


Favourite song? None specific. I enjoy Enya, but classical music is my passion.


Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter? Spring.


Where’s your favourite holiday destination? Greek Islands..


Volume1 | Issue2 | October 2011 |


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