Symposium Brochure 2025

EXTREME!

Designing Sustainably for a Changing Climate

THE VENUE AND HOW TO GET THERE

Delegate entry is via the Ballroom entrance on Balm Green where you will find our team waiting to welcome you.

When you arrive please be sure to check in to collect your badge

Click here to visit the City Hall website and learn more about their facilities.

For our brand new Symposium in 2025 we are visiting Sheffield and their historic City Hall venue We will be in their

City Hall is right in the town centre, just a short walk from the train station and within walking distance of many hotels

For directions and discounted parking, please click here.

For those attending the tours on Friday, members of the Symposium committee will be on hand to greet you as we prepare to travel to the tour sites

You will be able to leave luggage with us at City Hall, where it will be safely stored in the cloakroom until you return for it once the tours are finished.

ON DEMAND

Can’t make it to Sheffield on the day?

An on-demand ticket lets you view our fantastic speakers at your leisure, for 12 months after purchase.

On-demand tickets are £142.00 for non members, with discounts for our members and Friends.

BOOK HERE

FRIDAY EVENING

17.10.2025 | 6:30PM - 10:00PM

6:30pm City Hall doors open, welcome drink

6:55pm Welcome from the SGLD Chair Andrew Duff MSGLD

7:00pm Presentation by John Little

7:30pm Buffet dinner with cash bar

8:00pm

8:10pm

Presentation on the Horniman Gardens by Symposium Chair Errol Fernandes

Panel discussion on the role of the gardener in maintaining designed landscapes and gardens with: Errol Fernandes, Will Tomson, Andrew Fisher Tomlin FSGLD and Graham Dillamore. Moderator John Little

8:30pm Time to socialise and visit trade stands 10:00pm

Conclusion and thanks by SGLD Chair Andrew Duff MSGLD. Event ends.

18.10.2025 | 9:00AM-5:15PM

REGISTRATION OPENS AT 8:00AM

09:00am Welcome from the SGLD Chair Andrew Duff MSGLD

09:10am Presentation by sponsor London Stone

09:20am Introduction from symposium host Errol Fernandes

09:25am Presentation by Nigel Dunnett

10:05am Presentation by Haruko Seki: Gardens Beyond Climate – Returning to Nature

10:45am Tea Break

11:15am

12:00pm

Graham Dillamore - Conservation of Historic Gardens in the Face of a Changing Climate

Panel discussion with: Nigel Dunnett, Graham Dillamore, Will Thomson, Alys Fowler and Andrew Fisher Tomlin FSGLD

12:20pm Presentation by sponsor The Insightful Collective

and charity partner

LUNCH BREAK FROM 12:35PM - 1:50PM

1:55pm Jihae Hwang - Facing the Climate Crisis

2:40pm Loretta Bosence - Taskscapes

3:20pm Tea break

3:45pm Tom Massey MSGLD - Beyond Beauty

4:25pm

5:00pm

Panel discussion with: Tom Massey MSGLD, Loretta Bosence, Ji-Hae Hwang, Will Thomson, Alys Fowler and Andrew Fisher Tomlin FSGLD

Conclusion, thanks & announcements by the SGLD vice chair John Wyer FSGLD

5:15pm Event closes

SYMPOSIUM HOST ERROL FERNANDEZ

LIFE & CAREER

Errol has had a love of nature and a passion for gardening from a very young age but was also drawn to art and design. He initially studied fine art and went on to develop a career as a painter and curator, exhibiting internationally and working for renowned institutions such as the Tate, the Victoria & Albert museum and the British Library before studying for a Masters in Art Psychotherapy

He then went on to practice as an art psychotherapist within adult psychiatry and also worked with children and adolescents and slowly began to include elements of gardening therapy in his work

He later went on to gain horticultural and botanical training

He is currently Head of Horticulture at the Horniman Museum and Gardens in South London where he manages the 16 acres of stunning gardens

The Horniman Museum is the only museum in the country with a social anthropology, natural history and gardens collection This unique position allows them to traverse and explore the areas where we overlap and intertwine with nature and the gardens are essential in helping to communicate this narrative

SYMPOSIUM SPEAKER

NIGEL DUNNETT

Nigel is one of the world’s leading voices on innovative approaches to planting design He is a pioneer of the new ecological and sustainable approaches to gardens, landscapes, and public spaces. His work revolves around the integration of ecology and horticulture to achieve low-input but high-impact landscapes that are dynamic, diverse, and tuned to nature.

He has published two books, which have become classic text, and designed six show gardens for RHS Chelsea. He founded the company Pictorial Meadows which is now the UK market leader in designed meadows

PRESENTATION

Nigel will draw upon his work and projects over the past 25 years to discuss evolving approaches to creating resilient, plant-rich landscapes that work for people and nature.

He will outline the unique ‘Sheffield Story’ that has led to the city being a focus of horticultural and landscape design innovation and look at how this might be replicated elsewhere.

Looking to the future, Nigel will address current technical and policy challenges, and suggest potential routes forward

HARUKO SEKI GARDENS BEYOND CLIMATE

–

RETURNING TO NATURE

Haruko is a Japanese garden designer and a UK-qualified landscape architect After gaining her dual qualifications, she founded Studio Lasso in 2005 and has since collaborated with artists and designers from around the world She has participated in domestic and international competitions since 2000 and has received numerous awards, including those from the Chelsea Flower Show (2007 & 2008), GWC Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki (2012), the Grand Gold Award at the Shenzhen International Flower Show (2023), and the Judge’s Award at the SGLD Awards (2025) Haruko has also been invited to give lectures in the UK, Japan, and Italy, and was a visiting professor at Tokyo Zokei University from 2014 to 2021.

PRESENTATION

Why has climate change accelerated so dramatically? Rather than focusing solely on technical responses in garden design, I would like to pose a more fundamental question:

Can we slow environmental destruction not just by adaptation, but by reawakening our sense of joy and reverence in living with nature?

I believe that climate change is rooted in the unchecked expansion of consumption and a system that amplifies desire capitalism

As a garden designer, I feel a quiet responsibility to resist that system not with slogans, but through spaces that help people rediscover their relationship with the natural world.

My approach is shaped by three guiding principles:

1) Reading and enhancing the Genius Loci (Spirit of Place)

2) Visualise the invisible energy of nature

3) Designing in resonance with the unseen order of the universe

This philosophy is not about style or trend, but about cultivating sensitivity and listening intuitively to what already exists

I believe a garden not only reflects people’s lifestyles, but also, no matter how small, has the power to connect us with nature and remind us of our innate longing to live in harmony with the natural world.

I would like to believe that by awakening to the importance of living more harmoniously with nature, we can help ease the extremes of climate change

GRAHAM DILLAMORE

PRESENTATION

In his talk, Graham will be sharing his experiences of Historic Garden conservation and management over the past 45 years. He will take a look back at Historic Garden restoration projects at Hampton Court, along with changes in approach to Garden Conservation.

Other points of consideration will include:

The future of Historic Gardens and the challenges they face in the future Climate induced deterioration of the Formal Garden Authenticity & Faithfulness in a Historic garden - does it matter?

Understanding The design Intent of the Historic Garden Historic Gardens on 'Life Support' and when do we turn off the machine. What if we've misinterpreted the climatic shift data and over-reacting?

LIFE & CAREER

Graham began his gardening career when he joined the Royal Parks in 1980 as an apprentice gardener

The three-year apprenticeship was a great starting place to begin a long career in horticulture, serving his time in Hyde Park, St James Park and Kensington Gardens Along the way he also got to ‘weed & dig’ in some of London’s most prestigious homes, including Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street.

In 1985 Graham took the post of Chargehand at Kensington Palace and was also honoured to be privately employed by the Royal Household for the Prince & Princes of Wales at Kensington

In 1990 he was appointed Gardens Foreman for Historic Royal Palaces at Hampton Court and took over the day to day running of the Gardens, as well as retaining his supervision of the Gardens at Kensington Palace. In 2000 he became the Deputy Gardens and Estate Manager, working with Terry Gough, the then Head Gardener and the newly formed HRP which had only just become an independent charity by Royal Charter.

Managing, restoring, and re-presenting this Scheduled Monument to the public has kept Graham busy for 35 years and with over one million visitor a year walking through this remarkable landscape it’s been a rewarding but demanding challenge.

Trained at the Architectural Association, Graham is an active and knowledgeable Garden historian and has studied the rich and interesting story of Hampton Court and Kensington Palace for the past 25 years, lecturing and telling the story of the gardens to local communities and national organisations

JI-HAE HWANG

FACING THE CLIMATE CRISIS

SEEKING THE RECOVERY OF HUMANITY THROUGH THE PRINCIPLES OF NATURE

In the face of the climate crisis, we must ask how humanity can be restored through the principles and order of nature

The most fundamental challenge we face today is not a matter of art or aesthetics, but the preservation of species and the restoration of ecological environments

We all recognize that this must take the form of tangible steps for the next generation

I have come to realize once again that I have lived my entire life within the special love of invisible beings such as the sun, the wind, and the air

If I could fully understand the ecological cycle of even a single plant throughout my lifetime and pass away, that would be the most intelligent and truthful way of life one could pursue

LIFE & CAREER

Jihae Hwang studied Fine Art and has been working in the fields of sculpture, installation art and environmental art. She likes to approach gardens from the viewpoint of conceptual art.

Some of her achievements include:

2024:

New York Korean Cultural Center, Jeonnam Garden ‘Aeyangdan: The Wall that loves the Sun’.

SGF Singapore Garden Festival, Fantasy Garden Category 'Red Seed’

She is also very keen to refine gardens to a higher level of art from diverse perspectives.

2023:

RHS Chelsea Flower show Gold medal for ‘A Letter from a Million Years Ago’

2021:

MMCA (National Museum of Modern and Contemporary art, Korea) ‘Circular Garden Project : Leisurely and Lively Conversation’.

2012:

RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold medal and President’s Award for ‘Quiet Time: The Forbidden Garden of the DMZ’.

2011:

RHS Chelsea Flower show Best artisan award and Gold medal for ‘Hae Woo So: Emptying your Mind’.

LORETTA BOSENCE

TASKSCAPES

The term ‘taskscape’, coined by anthropologist Tim Ingold, emphasises that landscape is not visual scenery to be contemplated, or a material backdrop to social life, but is entangled with the activities of its inhabitants and inevitably changes over time. When we choose materials to use in our gardens and built landscapes we are making decisions that affect the lives and environments of countless individuals, communities and ecosystems beyond the site. Material choice is social and cultural as much as aesthetic and functional, and design can be a lever for change, for better or worse

Using examples from her work at Local Works Studio, Loretta will discuss the practicalities of using local landscape and waste materials at each stage of implementation, including: Material audit; Procurement; Processing; Build and Maintenance The talk will consider the role that a range of people have to play in ensuring the viability of sustainable material choices and how we might all benefit from involvement in the process

LIFE & CAREER

Loretta is a landscape architect, researcher, writer, photographer and co-founder of Local Works Studio. She has a master’s degree from the Slade School of Fine Art, UCL and trained in landscape architecture at the University of Greenwich

At Local Works Studio, Loretta works with diverse construction professionals, land managers, trades people and local communities to realise low-carbon public realm projects & landscape research that prioritise human and ecological relationships Her writing has been published by Little Toller Books and Arch-ive.

Local Works Studio make things and design places that tell the stories of materials, process and community They are hands-on circular economy specialists, focusing on the creative use of bioregional materials & processes They provide sensitive, collaborative design, innovative craftsmanship, and holistic strategies for participatory shaping and improvement of our environments

Loretta regularly talks in the UK and abroad, including recently at:

Make Good Symposium at the V&A

University of Sheffield

The Bartlett, UCL

The Science Gallery, London

The Serge Hill Project

Oxford Real Farming Conference

Lund Architecture Symposium

The Garden Museum

WasteBuild Zero, Amsterdam

Tree Talks at the Barbican Centre

TOM MASSEY MSGLD

BEYOND BEAUTY

Tom grew up in south-west London and spent his childhood exploring Richmond Park, with long summers on the Roseland Peninsula in rural Cornwall formative experiences that sparked a deep love of the natural world.

After studying Animation at the Arts University Bournemouth, he pursued a range of creative paths—from advertising and events to the renovation of a disused warehouse in Hackney, which he transformed into a co-working space and café

Drawn to landscape design as a discipline that unites creative thinking with tangible, nature-based outcomes, Tom trained at the London College of Garden Design, based at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, graduating with distinction in 2015

Landscapes as Acts of Beauty & Care in an Age of Ecological Crisis

Gardens as ecological actors supporting biodiversity, capturing rainwater, sequestering carbon

The practical side: resilient planting, soil specifications, water use, mulches and their wider relevance.

The emotional side: how people grieve biodiversity loss and long for connection with the natural world.

In an age of ecological crisis, urban landscapes and gardens can no longer be seen as decorative luxuries They are living systems, cultural touchstones, and ecological actors This talk explores how landscape design can move beyond beauty to become an act of care for biodiversity, for soil, for water, and for the human longing for connection with nature.

Drawing on examples from his practice, Tom will consider how soil specification, mulching strategies, and resilient planting schemes can contribute to landscapes that are both beautiful and purposeful. In the latter part of the talk, he will explore the design process as a spiral moving from emotional and connective intentions to practical and sustainable decisions, and back to emotional and connective outcomes showing how landscapes can hold grief for biodiversity loss while offering hope. Ultimately, the talk argues that beauty and care are inseparable in shaping landscapes fit for an uncertain future.

SYMPOSIUM SPEAKER

JOHN LITTLE

ALYS FOWLER

Alys Fowler is a gardener, writer and researcher.

They wrote a weekly column on gardening for The Guardian Weekend Magazine for over 12 years. They have contributed to Gardens Illustrated, The Observer Food Monthly, The National Geographic and Country Living. Alys trained at Royal Horticultural Society Wisley, The New York Botanical Gardens, and The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Their latest book is called Peatlands- A journey between land and water and is published by Hodder Press.

They have presented on BBC's Gardeners' World, The Great British Garden Revival, Our Food, and their own six-part series The Edible Garden. They regularly contribute to radio They are currently undertaking at PhD at Keele University on public understanding of peatland conservation.

WILL TOMSON

Will is the director of Creative Cultivation, a garden design and build company that specialise in sustainably built wildlife gardens and water feature construction based in Sheffield.

Will has worked as a gardener in Japan, America and the UK as a TRIAD fellow for the National Trust and has a degree in Ecology and a HND in horticulture and Plantsmanship from the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh.

Will also is co-founder of Talking Plants, a social night in Sheffield bringing together people with an interest in plants and gardens

ANDREW FISHER-TOMLIN FSGLD

Andrew Fisher Tomlin is widely acknowledged as leading the development of a distinct professional career path in planting design through his own work. He is highly regarded for championing innovative planting design in new landscapes as Director of Environmental Design at the internationally renowned London College of Garden Design in London and Melbourne as well as teaching planting design to Diploma students at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and lecturing for institutions such as the Smithsonian and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Andrew is a Chartered Horticulturist and a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers He has received design awards in the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand and currently works within collaborative design teams on a diverse range of private and public projects worldwide.

Andrew’s new book ‘The Modern Professional Planting Designer’ will be published by Rizzoli International in September 2025

SYMPOSIUM SPONSOR

London Stone is the trusted partner for garden designers seeking premium paving and hard landscaping solutions. With an unrivalled range of natural stone, porcelain, clay pavers and complementary products, we help bring creative visions to life. Our nine inspirational showrooms showcase materials in real-life settings, while our dedicated Design Team offers expert advice on texture, colour and layout to achieve stunning results. Designers benefit from live stock information, bespoke services and nationwide delivery, ensuring projects run smoothly from concept to completion. At London Stone, we’re committed to quality, service and innovation — raising the standard of British gardens. info@londonstone.co.uk

212950 www.londonstone.co.uk

SYMPOSIUM SPONSOR

Innovative garden and landscape designers turn to Denise Quinlan to build sustainable, profitable businesses without compromising creative integrity. Through her Thriving Designer 1:1 programme, workshops, and The Designers’ Business Club, studio owners gain clarity, visibility, and consistent commissions - creating thriving practices and the lifestyle they intended. Founder of The Insightful Collective and an awardwinning business coach, Denise brings over two decades of prior business expertise to the industry.

Her talk Deeper Foundations: Designing a Sustainable Business in a Changing Economic Climate introduces a practical framework to reveal where your business sits, spot the gaps, and define the path towards enduring impact.

elemental is a tool to support the landscape industry design with best outcomes for climate and nature. By considering all impacts from materials use, carbon accounting, biodiversity, water impacts, communities and society, elemental offers information that will help all businesses be mindful of their interactions.

Market-leading roses and support to the garden and landscape industry

Through our Professional Trade Services Department, we support garden designers, landscapers and horticultural professionals in bringing their planting schemes to life We offer not only a wide selection of exceptional roses, but also the experience and advice needed to ensure each project is both beautiful and enduring.

With over 50 years of combined expertise, our dedicated team provides thoughtful, practical support - whether you're planning a traditional rose border, a wildlife-friendly garden or a large public display From variety selection to companion planting and layout advice, we will help you get the very best from your roses

At Arbour Landscape Solutions, we specialise in providing an exceptional range of stone paving, setts, cladding, and bespoke stone tailored to the needs of discerning landscape professionals. We understand that awardwinning garden designers require not only premium materials but also a trusted partner who can deliver consistency, insight, and reliability. With client service at the core of our business, we work closely with designers to ensure every project is supported with the very best solutions Our expertise, product knowledge, and commitment to excellence make us the go-to resource for creating landscapes of enduring quality and beauty enquiries@arbourlandscapesolutions co

Landscapeplus is a Trade Only supplier of Lighting, Irrigation and Water Feature brands and systems. Our aim is to help industry professionals to create beautiful gardens by building long-term, trust-based relationships; putting gardens at the heart of what we do. We are not just a one-stop-shop for Lighting, Irrigation and Water Feature systems and take pride in being “So much more than a supplier ” Our nationwide training days allow us to share knowledge and give our customers the confidence to design and install alongside our free Design Support service

Beautifully crafted in the UK from Staffordshire clay - one of the world’s oldest and most enduring natural materials - Ketley’s clay landscaping products bring timeless character to outdoor spaces From pavers and quarry tiles to bespoke features, our versatile range empowers garden designers to think creatively and design with confidence

Whether you're shaping a contemporary courtyard or restoring a heritage garden, Ketley offers durable, sustainable solutions with rich, natural tones that complement planting and architecture alike Let’s collaborate to bring your vision to life

Come and chat with us about your next project - we’re here to help you make it extraordinary

GRAD – DECKING AND CLADDING THAT JUST CLICKS.

Grad is a revolutionary hidden-fix system for decking and cladding. Using precisionengineered aluminium rails and clips, the system allows for faster installations, perfectly aligned boards, and a flawless finish with no visible screws or nails.

Compatible with premium modified timbers, Grad is trusted by architects, contractors, and developers across the UK to deliver outdoor spaces that are built to last. We also provide technical support, free 3D renders, and on-site guidance to help projects run smoothly.

www.grad-system.co.uk

557009

Boughton Loam is a leading supplier of natural topsoils, loams, green roof substrates, rootzones, sands, SuDs, subsoil and turf dressings as well as the exclusive distributor of British Sugar TOPSOIL products

For 40 years, Boughton has been producing a wide range of compliant growing media to meet all landscaping and horticultural needs, from ‘as dug’ natural topsoil and subsoil, to specially created blends for roof gardens and SuDs. Boughton’s highly experienced team produce soils to almost any specifications and deliver to anywhere in the UK info@boughton.co.uk

01536 510515 www.boughton.co.uk

At Ellicar, we design and build award-winning natural swimming pools and biodiverse gardens that work in harmony with nature. Led by garden designer Sarah Murch, we combine sustainable building practises and biological water filtration to bring chemical-free swimming to our health-conscious and environmentally aware clients. With over 30 years of experience, our family-run team offers a complete service from concept design to construction and planting. Every project is bespoke, blending craftsmanship with ecological expertise to create outdoor spaces that enrich wellbeing, support wildlife, and provide beautiful retreats for both residential and commercial clients across the UK. info@ellicargardens.co.uk 01777 933108 www.ellicar.co.uk

Heritage Handmade Garden Collections are specialist makers of fine quality, artisan crafted garden planters, fountains, dining furniture, seating, statuary and ornament Taking inspiration from the antique originals to reproduce garden design classics; utilising the best and most suitable materials, superior craftsmanship and traditional techniques, to create what we believe will be the garden antiques of the future Each item is handmade to order with bespoke commissions undertaken. Delivery and shipping worldwide. Heritage Handmade Garden Collections is the first choice for many awardwinning garden designers and private clients alike

01386 584414 www.heritagegardencollections.co.uk