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Liz Nicholson will talk us through the Elemental app and how it was used at this year’s RHS Shows to enhance the sustainability of the Show Gardens. She will then introduce Allon Hoskin who won the Environmental Innovation Award for his garden at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show as result. Allon will be highlighting some of the key techniques and materials which helped achieve this.
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This panel discussion featuring senior RHS judges will focus on the RHS Garden judging criteria and how to achieve the best possible medal. Eleanor will guide us through these criteria, with contributions from the judges to highlight examples of great design from this years’ shows.
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Sophia will be in conversation with Addleshaw Goddard - which has so far sponsored gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2024 and 2025 - to find out what keeps it coming back to create gardens at the show. She will also be joined by Joe Carey who designed its garden at the show in 2025, to find out about working with show garden sponsors from a designers’ point of view.
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Charlotte Armer is a veteran show garden planter regularly leading planting teams for both established and emerging designers. Fresh from supporting Carey Garden Design Studio in its two 2025 RHS Gold medal winning show gardens, Charlotte will take you behind the scenes of planting week. Whether you plan to plant yourself or run a team, she will be offering insights, tips and helpful hacks to help you execute a show worthy planting finish.
Inspire Theatre - Day 1
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Inspire Theatre - Day 2
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Helen Elks-Smith FSGLD will explore and discuss her design process with illustrations from her portfolio, covering site analysis (what it is and why we do it), what we should consider during construction (and why that matters) and why as designers and contractors we only start gardens and so leads to gardening. Along the way Helen will take a look at soils, trees, climate and native vs non-native plants.
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Earlier this year, the industry launched Elemental. This ‘green’ design tool based on the six pillars of environmental design was developed to help garden designers, landscape architects, design and build landscape companies and gardeners to create gardens and landscapes that have a lower environmental impact. This session will explore what Elemental is and why the industry needs it.
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This session will show how Elemental, the industry’s ‘green’ design tool can be used in practice to reduce embodied carbon, minimise waste through material management, promote biodiversity, protect the soil, harness water within the site, improve air quality, and make landscapes for people and communities along with a case study.
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Emma Mazzullo FSGLD and James Scott FSGLD will lead a new-look Accreditation advice session. They will speak from experience about the professional benefits of going through the SGLD Accreditation process – including how it shaped their practice and career trajectory. Attendees considering registration can also bring portfolios for discussion and feedback from panel members in a private session following the talk.
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The panel will be chaired by John Wyer FSGLD, who contributed to Elemental’s development. Panel members will include Helen Elks-Smith FSGLD and Rachel Bailey MSGLD, together with Rupert Keys and David Stevens FSGLD, offering decades of combined insight across design, construction and education. Expect wide-ranging conversation that moves between practical application, career development, and future-facing design thinking.
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Business Theatre - Day 1
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You adore the design work, but do you dance around the proverbial handbag when it comes to talking about money with clients? Do sales conversations leave you uneasy, undermining your own pricing, or worried about scaring clients away? This session shows you how to replace dread with clarity, confidence, and calm, so you can focus on what you love – designing.
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Discover simple, actionable ways to reduce your corporation tax. From pension contributions to smart asset purchases, this talk covers effective HMRC-approved strategies tailored for small business owners in the landscaping industry.
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Over the past decade, Karen McClure Garden Design has experienced changes in trends and styles of gardens, as well as for running a business. In this talk, the team share insights into developments, how they have learnt to flex and adapt, managing client expectations and strategies that have helped drive the studio's growth. They will reflect on lessons learnt, how these have shaped their processes, procedures, and the development of a strong portfolio and hard-working team.
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Joblogic take to the stage to share inspiration and information on their field service management software
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Last year, Belderbos Landscapes celebrated its 20th anniversary. To mark the milestone, husband and wife team Ed and Claire Belderbos decided to transfer their shares into an employee ownership trust - essentially putting the future of the company in the hands of their employees. Claire shares the decision behind this, the journey they took for Belderbos Landscapes to become employee owned, and the lessons they have learned along the way.
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From becoming part of the Domis Construction Group in 2020, to purchasing Pickmere Nursery - which has now become home to its state-of-the-art headquarters - one year later, to acquiring Urban Landscape Design, Wright Landscapes has gone from strength to strength, with people at its core. It’s now branched out into outdoor living, with an impressive show garden at its site, and will be launching its own training academy. So, how did it get here? Find out from managing director Lee Webster and business development director Chris Blaisdale.
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Business Theatre - Day 2
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Discover how AI is already transforming the garden design and landscaping industry. Andy Stedman shares how he’s using AI tools to run a profitable, fast-moving design studio and why ignoring it now could leave you behind. From automating systems to enhancing creativity, this talk delivers real-world insights, practical examples, and a look at the rapid pace of change that’s only just getting started.
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Discover how to grow a more profitable business by avoiding five common, and costly, mistakes. The session will highlight the traps that hold many business owners back - from underpricing and poor planning, to a lack of systems. You'll leave with practical strategies to boost margins, streamline operations, and win better clients. Ideal for ambitious business owners ready to work smarter, not harder.
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Relying on reputation alone works for some, but it’s hard to deny the role social media can play in convincing clients to choose you over your competition. From engaging video content to tailored posts, how can you catch their attention? And how could artificial intelligence help manage the leads that this generates? Our panellists share their social media successes and a few tips for getting the most out of your platforms.
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It's more than just a gimmick. Putting in place company values and ensuring staff adopt these can be a key part of recruitment and retention, but creating a culture that people buy into is arguably even better - and our panellists should know. They explain their journeys of building this into their businesses, the initiatives and ideas they've explored in order to do so, and the positive impact this has had on both their people and the company.
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Pro Arb Live Theatre - Day 1
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Gain an understanding of the regulations that affect tree work in the UK and explore how accreditation and professional membership can help businesses meet these requirements. This panel will discuss how the industry can drive professionalism, raise standards and shape its future, debating questions such as: Should local authorities mandate accreditation in tenders?
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Join award-winning entrepreneur George Trott for a comprehensive guide to building a successful career in arboriculture. He shares invaluable insights on launching and growing your business, covering everything from foundational startup steps to key strategies for scaling operations. Learn how to navigate challenges, leverage opportunities and elevate your venture to the next level in this informative session designed for both aspiring and established tree care professionals.
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Peter Wharton was announced as the 2025 Institute of Chartered Foresters Forester of the Year for his work on neurodiversity in the sector. It’s lead to an essential discussion on creating inclusive workplaces in the arboriculture industry and specifically change to the chartered process for the Institute. Discover his innovative strategies for supporting neurodiversity and addressing individual needs. This session will offer practical insights to break down barriers, utilise unique strengths, and foster a culture where every team member can thrive. Learn how to create a more supportive, productive, and successful environment for everyone.
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Are you facing a shortage of skilled arborists? This seminar focuses on finding solutions to the critical challenge of attracting and retaining the next generation of professionals in the field. It will evaluate the effectiveness of current apprenticeship programme, explore strategies for better supporting new recruits, and discuss ways to incentivise self-employed arborists to return to the workforce. Join us to help create a practical roadmap for a thriving and sustainable future for the industry.
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Tree law expert Sarah Dodd provides a definitive analysis of the landmark Sycamore Gap tree sentencing. This session delves into the legal ramifications and explores a critical question: How can this tragedy galvanise stronger protections for ancient and community-cherished trees? Discover the potential for legislative reform, advanced security measures and a renewed commitment to preserving our irreplaceable natural heritage.
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Pro Arb Live Theatre - Day 2
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Cleaner fuels and battery-powered equipment are accelerating the green transition in arboriculture. But what does this shift look like in practice? A panel of experts explore where sustainable innovation has the most significant impact and how safety protocols and training must evolve to accommodate these new tools. They'll discuss integrating environmental progress with safe and practical implementation for a more sustainable future.
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3D technology and virtual reality are no longer niche innovations; they are reshaping the way arboriculture is taught, practiced and promoted. Callum Throw of Arb Innovators will demonstrate how these technologies can deliver safe, effective training, provide richer insights for clients as part of tree surveys as well as open new possibilities for education, careers engagement and raising the awareness of arboriculture.
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Is your risk management protocol leading to unnecessary or premature tree felling? This common challenge often stems from relying solely on visual assessment and results from the doubt of dealing with the unknown or unseen. In this seminar, Ian Barnes, director of Barnes Associates, will demonstrate how to make confident, preservation-focused decisions using cutting-edge technology provided by its trading arm, Tree Diagnostics. Discover how its specialist equipment goes beyond mere estimates to provide quantifiable data on a tree's health, structural integrity and stability by seeing the unseen.
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Be the first to hear Clegg Bamber and Mandy Maynard as they unveil Lantra's new campaign focused on arboriculture. This initiative emphasises the importance of safety when using chainsaws, highlighting the dangers of improper training and experience. Arborists, who spend years perfecting their craft, deserve recognition and respect. Lantra advocates for a change in the industry, insisting that individuals must be qualified before purchasing a saw and that professionals should perform all tree work.
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Stay tuned for more exciting updates! Our full 2025 Seminar Agenda coming soon...
