Dig Deep

In this episode of Dig Deep, we’re joined by Gareth Jones, Managing Director of NorthHort, to talk about building a premium landscaping brand and attracting the next generation into the industry. Gareth shares his journey from growing up working outdoors to creating a business focused on high-quality service, strong values and a clear identity. Based in Cheshire, NorthHort works across premium gro...

Recorded live from the BALI Hive Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026, this special edition of Dig Deep explores the people, ideas and stories that make Chelsea so much more than a flower show. Throughout the week, Rosie Sayers spoke to designers, suppliers, innovators, industry leaders and even one of the Chelsea Pensioners whose home becomes the backdrop to the world's most famous gardening ev...

Inside Chelsea Build Week with Mark Gregory What really happens behind the scenes at the world’s most famous flower show? In this episode of Dig Deep, recorded at the stunning Glasshouse Collective, Rosie Sayers sits down with legendary landscape contractor and RHS Chelsea veteran Mark Gregory to explore the pressure, creativity and precision behind Chelsea Build Week. With 36 years at Chelsea and...

In this episode of Dig Deep, recorded at The Glasshouse Collective, Rosie Sayers speaks with John Malmo, Head Judge of the BALI National Landscape Awards, about what truly separates a good landscaping project from an outstanding one. Drawing on decades of experience judging some of the very best schemes in the country, John shares why excellence often comes down to “the final 5%” — the finer detai...

In this episode of Dig Deep, recorded live at FutureScape, Rosie Sayers speaks with Charles Blumlein, founder of Location Landscapes and a long-standing BALI member, about the people behind a successful landscaping business. Charles shares how he first got into horticulture, why he built his business around soft landscaping expertise, and what he has learned from years of training, mentoring and m...

In this episode of Dig Deep, recorded live at GroundsFest, Rosie Sayers speaks with Oliver Lewis CBE, founder and CEO of Joe’s Blooms, about one of the biggest changes affecting the landscaping industry today: Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). BNG requires developments to leave nature in a measurably better state than before — but for many in the industry, the process has felt complex, technical and, a...

What does excellence really look like in the landscaping industry? In this episode of Dig Deep, we sit down with Nick Coslett, long-time industry figure, BALI Awards judge and Chair of the BALI Chalk Fund, to explore how quality, collaboration and industry leadership shape the landscapes we create. Nick offers a rare behind-the-scenes insight into the BALI National Landscape Awards judging process...

Recorded live at the BALI Awards, this episode of Dig Deep explores collaboration, community and the future of the landscaping industry. Luke is joined by Chris from Grounds Fest to discuss what makes the BALI Awards such a standout moment in the industry calendar, and how the partnership between BALI and Grounds Fest is helping to strengthen and grow the sector. Chris reflects on the deliberately...

Recorded live at Futurescape, this episode of Dig Deep puts the spotlight on the next generation of landscaping professionals and the very different routes that can lead to a successful career in the industry. Rosie is joined by Archie Matthews, winner of the 2025 BALI Student of the Year, and Ollie French, a young landscaper from Warwickshire. Archie shares how an apprenticeship, college training...

Recorded live at GroundsFest, this episode of Dig Deep tackles one of the biggest challenges facing the landscaping and horticulture sector. The widening skills gap. Rosie is joined by Pauline Clark, Business Relationship Manager at Capel Manor College, London’s leading environmental college, to explore how education providers and employers can work together to attract, train and retain new talent...

In this episode of Dig Deep, recorded live at GroundsFest, host Rosie Sayers talks with Jonathan Petit, Head of Skills, Careers, and Certification at GoLandscape – the BALI initiative dedicated to promoting careers in landscaping. Together, they explore how GoLandscape is tackling the industry's biggest challenge: the skills gap. Jonathan shares how GoLandscape is: Engaging with 22,000 young peopl...

In this episode of Dig Deep, recorded live at GroundsFest, host Rosie Sayers talks with Merrist Wood College , part of the Activate Learning Group. Together they explore how education and industry collaboration are shaping the future of landscaping and horticulture. Richard shares how Merrist Wood is: Investing £22 million in new facilities including glasshouses, laboratories and workshops Support...

Rosie Sayers sits down with BALI Chief Executive Wayne Grills to unpack BALI’s purpose, his route into the sector, and what’s next. Hear the priorities shaping the strategy to 2027: stronger member engagement, skills and education, policy and public affairs, and sharper communications. Wayne covers tackling labour shortages through GoLandscape and ex-offender pathways, the value of the BALI Awards...

Disputes Made Simple: How the Ombudsman Supports BALI Members When things go wrong on a landscaping project, how can you resolve disputes fairly and fast? In this episode, Rosie Sayers talks with Richard Griffin from the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman about how DRO protects both businesses and customers, what evidence is needed, and why clear communication prevents most disputes. Learn how BALI’s pa...

In this episode of Dig Deep, Rosie Sayers sits down with Amy Cobbett, BALI’s new Head of Policy and Public Affairs, to explore how BALI is working to ensure the landscaping sector has a seat at the table when decisions are made in Westminster. With a background in environmental economics and nearly a decade at the National Farmers Union, Amy brings a sharp understanding of how to bridge the gap be...

In this episode of Dig Deep, Rosie Sayers, Head of Marketing and Communications at BALI, is joined by Will Innes-Taylor, a passionate landscape professional with a remarkable journey through the industry. In this interview, Will shares his extensive experience as a BALI member, starting from his time at university to his current role with Hillier Nurseries. Will discusses the value of BALI members...