I started out working for a year close to where I grew up, spending four days a week on practical training and one day a week getting the basic theory at a further education college specialising in land-based industry. 

This motivated me to go to the college and study horticulture full-time. I spent four years doing two courses, including another year of industrial experience working at Harewood House near Leeds.

I then got a studentship working at Ryton Organic Gardens, where I also studied sustainable land management and completed the full Permaculture Design Course. 

This was followed by a year-long working holiday, travelling around Australia, mostly working in vineyards, orchards, and organic smallholdings.

On my return to the UK I moved to Oxfordshire to take on a two and a half-acre private garden, running it organically. A year later I decided to join the gardening team at Wolfson College where I spent a decade, during which time I studied Environmental Conservation with the University’s further education department at Rewley House. After this I moved on to Merton College, where I spent another 10 years increasing my plant knowledge and general horticultural experience.

I am very excited that I now have the opportunity to use all I have learnt over my career in the role of Head Gardener at The Queen’s College.