Our People

Doug joined the Creative team in May 1996 and has progressed through several roles in that time, culminating in him becoming a Director in 2021.

Doug has a wide variety of tasks ranging from client facing appointments, to behind the scenes running of the business, logistics & planning.

“The most rewarding thing for me is to see our staff flourish in both their personal and professional lives whilst of course giving our clients the high quality service we are known for. It can be challenging to maintain a relaxed persona when up against a deadline, a heavy workload or responsibility but nonetheless it is important to try and maintain an atmosphere of calm.

Creative offers the opportunity to work in enriching environments both on site and back at base. We work hard to achieve an open and approachable atmosphere whilst delivering a high standard of service to our clients.”

Matthew joined The Big Plant Nursery in 2011 as a fresh-faced Saturday assistant during the final year of his horticultural degree. He has since developed his role within the nursery and wider business to becoming a Director in March 2021.

On an average day Matthew is busy plant sourcing and procurement, customer service, sales and planning. He has a wide range of responsibilities from the day to day to longer term business forecasting.

“The most rewarding part of my role is sourcing unique and interesting plants, providing a high-quality product and developing the business. Everyday has its own challenges, from the weather to logistics but understanding how to prioritise is key to make the most efficient use of each day.

On a personal note, Creative Landscape Co. has allowed me to develop my role and knowledge over the years. As a company, we are always looking at ways to better ourselves for the benefit of our clients, staff and the planet (including our accreditation with Planet Mark).”

Julie has been our Office Manager since 2013. Before joining the Creative Landscape team, Julie spent twenty-seven years in dentistry as a dental nurse and practice manager. It was in this high stress in environment that Julie learnt to spin many plates in the air with aplomb.

These skills are invaluable in her day to day role where she is the first point of contact for clients, assisting the Directors and ensuring the office runs smoothly. She is the friendly face that greets us every morning and the joyful voice at the end of the phone. 

“I love working here at Creative with my work family and our lovely customers surrounded by beautiful plants. What’s not to love!”

Luke is the contracts manager in our landscaping department. This means he is the direct link between our designers and the team that builds the garden. Day to day, he ensures the landscape teams run as efficiently as possible with customer satisfaction as the main goal. Having started as a labourer with us in 2006, he has experience of each element and role of the landscaping department first hand.

“The most rewarding part of my role is to bring a great design to life as well as seeing the next generation of apprentices and labourers develop their skills in landscaping. Staff are always listened to, treated equally and encouraged to progress through the company just as I was. That’s why I am still Creative Landscape Co. after sixteen years!”

Corina has an Honours degree in Garden Design and has been transforming gardens since 2011. Passionate about all things plant based, she left her native Romania in 2006 with a degree in agriculture to pursue a career in horticulture.

Known amongst clients for her aesthetically pleasing mood boards, Corina enjoys nothing more than bringing her visions to life and creating award winning gardens.

Alex is a nursery plant and sales advisor. He is customer facing and part of the team responsible for creating and maintaining our inspiring plant displays. Alex has studied Zoology and has a Masters in Ecology which makes him our go to guy when it comes to identifying unusual bugs / pests!

“I am passionate about the natural world & love being outside. My role at the Big Plant Nursery allows me to expand my knowledge of British flora & fauna whilst developing my interest in horticulture & garden design. It’s fair to say, it’s not your usual garden centre, it only specialises in the highest quality plants & attracts loyal customers.”

Jemma is the Marketing Manager for The Big Plant Nursery and Creative Landscape Co.

She joined the company in 2018 after having gained experience in marketing at a Law firm.

“After previously working in a services industry, I immensely enjoy working with something tangible; beautiful plants and gardens. My mother and grandmother have always been plant enthusiasts and now I can hold my own in a horticulture related conversation. My knowledge of Greek and Latin has also been helpful in understanding all the technical plant names”.

In her spare time Jemma is a singer / songwriter.

Mel is one of our nursery assistants. He is part of the team responsible for daily plant care, maintaining the inspiring displays, unloading deliveries and general upkeep of the nursery.

“The best thing about my job? No two days are the same and I love that. I left an office based role in pursuit of a complete lifestyle change. Now I’m learning new skills, working outside amongst incredible high quality plants and broadening my horticultural knowledge.”

From a young age Jamie knew a job indoors, wasn’t for him, he sought something hands on, outdoors. After two years at practical college, learning the trade of bricklaying, he ventured into the world of garden landscaping, starting as a labourer and progressing through the industry to Hard Landscape Foreman.

“When we start a job, we have nothing but the design. It’s so rewarding to stand back and see what a difference we have made and how happy the customers are to have their dream garden. To bring the design to life is very satisfying.”

“Creative landscape Co. really cares for and supports its employees, while also challenging them to grow with the company. I feel both respected and trusted by my peers. As a company it attracts energetic and outgoing people.”

Steve joined Creative Landscape Co. in January 2007 after three years experience with another Landscape company.

He then spent nine years in our Maintenance team as a Leader before progressing and spending another six years as a planting team supervisor.

He has recently become the manager of our three planting teams. His role includes liaising directly with clients, site visits with the designers, making sure his teams have everything they need and are happy within their job roles.

“What I find most satisfying is my teams going into any clients garden and transforming them from a unimaginative space into the clients dream garden, especially with how many of our clients now work from home”.

Cameron has a Horticulture and Landscape apprenticeship from the Berkshire College of Agriculture. He started with us when he was still studying for his apprenticeship and after two years, he joined us in a permanent position. He has since been promoted to a semi-skilled landscaper role.

“The key highlights of my job are the opportunities to work in a vast array of environments that require different skills ranging from problem solving to workmanship skills, the perfect platform for someone to build and grow as I have done the past four years and continue to do so! I have my sights set on becoming a skilled landscaper and then eventually, foreman”.

Will joined the company as a Maintenance Operative over ten years ago. Before that, in his native Hungary, Will was a professional dancer and choreographer.

After a couple of years in this new role, his passion for gardens increased and he fell in love with plants. Will is now our Planting Team Leader.

“I suddenly had the opportunity to create beautiful spaces, gardens. During the years I have realised that working with plants is a blessing. I value the therapeutic effect working with plants has. There is no better place to be than in a garden on a sunny day.”

Lynda joined The Big Plant Nursery team in October 2020 as a Plant Sales Advisor.

Lynda studied Garden Design and Horticulture at the Berkshire College of Agriculture and has combined a garden design and garden maintenance alongside a twenty year career in teaching.

“An average day for me involves looking after the plants in the nursery, arranging displays and giving advice to customers about plant choices. I particularly enjoy this aspect of working at the nursery, as our customers value the level of expertise we provide as a team and become regular faces. I enjoy building a relationship with repeat customers”.