Sadiq Khan has said he intends to appoint Suki Kalirai to chair the new London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) leadership team. Shazia Hussain has also been appointed the new chief executive as the group prepares to deliver the next stage of the Games’ legacy at...
Grounds Maintenance
Spacecare acquired by Nurture Group
The Nurture Group has purchased Spacecare Ltd in the West Midlands, bringing its total number of acquisitions to 48 since it was founded in 2008. Completed this month, the latest acquisition is its third this year. Telford-based Spacecare will operate under the...

Stihl launches new “powerful” battery blower
A new professional battery-powered blower has hit the market from German kit manufacturer Stihl. The BGA 250 is “the world’s most powerful handheld battery-powered blower throughout the full battery charger” thanks to its ability to maintain full power whilst the battery discharges. It’s lighter than its BGA 86 counterpart at 2.7kg – with the...

Ten Minutes with Matthew Pottage
Matthew Pottage has been a well-known name within the industry for the last two decades working with the RHS, now taking on his latest venture as Head of Horticulture and Landscape Strategy at The Royal Parks charity. Pottage fell in love with gardening from an early age, a passion shared by his grandmother who was happiest in her garden. This...

Meadfleet wins gold at the International CSR Excellence Awards 2024
Open space management provider, Meadfleet, was awarded gold at the International CSR Excellence Awards 2024 in London earlier this month. The award recognises Meadfleet’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, on top of delivering sustainable open space management solutions to the housebuilding sector. Judges recognised the company’s...

Early engagement, collaboration and upskilling needed to futureproof public spaces
Grounds maintenance companies and local communities need to be involved earlier in a project to ensure long-term value is delivered. This is one of the outcomes of a roundtable held on how to futureproof our public spaces. Eleven senior representatives from key stakeholder groups were brought together by Pro Landscaper and green service provider...

Green Flag Awards 2024 recognise thousands of green spaces across UK
A record number of green spaces across the UK are being recognised by the Green Flag Awards 2024, celebrating the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces. This year, 2,227 parks and green spaces are preparing to raise the Green Flag Award after reaching international quality standards. Mayfield Park, Manchester, is...

Makita launches its first robotic mower
Power tool supplier, Makita, continues to expand its range with the launch of its first ever robotic mower. Offering automatic mowing and charging, the new RM350D Robotic Mower affords 3,500m2 lawn and 26° slope coverage. Designed to mow lawns and recharge automatically on its dedicated charging station, the RM350D’s cutting height can also be...

idverde acquires Acorn Environmental Management Group
idverde expands its green service portfolio with the acquisition of Acorn Environmental Management Group. The Coventry based grounds maintenance and landscape creation company says this latest acquisition marks a ‘significant milestone in its growth trajectory’. Kristian Lennard, CEO of idverde UK, comments on why Acorn is a good fit to existing...

Husqvarna and Kew Gardens celebrate year since partnership began
Teaming up with the Royal Botanical Garden, Kew, in 2023, Husqvarna returned to assess the progress of its three commercial robotic lawn mowers. The two Husqvarna Automower® 550 EPOS robotic mowers and one Husqvarna Automower® 535AWD robotic mower were installed and have since assisted the Kew team in overcoming multiple challenges previously...

AC Landscapes and Treeworks acquired out of administration
Specialist landscaping company, AC Landscapes and Treeworks has been acquired, saving the company from administration and with it over 30 jobs. Based in Devon, the company operates across the North West, North East, Midlands and South West of the UK. It holds a number of long term frameworks with National Highways, providing vegetation...

Deadline for the Land-based and Environment Learner Awards gets extended
The deadline for Lantra’s national Land-based and Environment Learner (LBEL) Awards has been extended, with entries now set to close at 11:50pm on Sunday 30 June 2024. Now in its second year, the Award scheme looks to recognise the talent, successes and achievements of learners from across England and Northern Ireland in the land-based and...

EGO expands Pro X Series with new battery mower
Battery-powered outdoor power equipment supplier, EGO Power Plus, is expanding its Pro X Series with a new battery mower. The LMX5300E-SP features EGO’s proven Peak Power™ technology, drawing on energy from two 56V ARC Lithium batteries at once. Group product director at EGO, Vince Brauns, says: “The LMX5300E-SP provides the power and performance...

Nurture Group boosts arboriculture services with its biggest acquisition this year
Horticultural and green workplace service provider, the Nurture Group, completes its “most substantial” deal of 2024 with the acquisition of Hertfordshire-based Gristwood and Toms. Marking the Group’s expansion into the arboriculture market, Gristwood and Toms will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Nurture Landscapes Holdings Ltd, and will...

Gavin Jones awarded Royal Parks maintenance contract
The Royal Parks charity has awarded its landscape maintenance contract for The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill to Gavin Jones Ltd, part of the Nurture Group. Gavin Jones Ltd will have responsibility for conserving and enhancing The Regent’s Park’s horticultural displays at locations including The Queen Mary’s Gardens, The Avenue Gardens and St...

Milwaukee Tool unveils quieter next-gen fuel blower
Power tool manufacturer, Milwaukee Tool have launched the next generation of its M18 Fuel Blower, designed to facilitate quick routine clean-ups. The M18 Fuel Blower leverages a Powerstate Brushless Motor, offering an air volume of 14.2 M3/min at 193 km/h of air speed and 12.2 N of blowing force. Milwaukee Tool says this latest blower operates at...

Tivoli awarded 2024 RoSPA President’s Award
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has awarded Tivoli Group Ltd a President’s award for the fifth year running, following 14 consecutive Golds Health and Safety Awards. The RoSPA Awards now celebrates its 68th year, with almost 2,000 entries annually from over 50 countries, impacting over seven million employees. They offer...

EGO launches new charging system to support green spaces
Battery-powered outdoor power equipment supplier, EGO Power Plus, is supporting landscaping and grounds maintenance professionals with the launch of its new charging system. EGO has expanded its PRO X series with the introduction of a new chainsaw, new hedge trimmers, brush cutters, line trimmers and mowers. In addition to a new next-generation...

30 Under 30 – A catch up with George Trott
After 10 and a half years working with Tony Benger Landscaping, George Trott has decided to “branch out” and take his interest in arboriculture to the next level with the launch of his own business, G Trott Tree Consultancy. Trott came into the industry by chance whilst working on a holiday park when he was offered some extra work assisting the...

Stihl GB unveils new “state-of-the-art” facility in Surrey
Stihl GB has officially opened its new 11,500m2 facility in Surrey after “outgrowing” its former site. The purpose-built head office and 9,000m2 distribution centre has been in the works since 2015. Dr Nikolas Stihl, chairman of the supervisory board of the Stihl Group, said its completion “marks another milestone in Stihl’s almost 100-year...

Harry Holding launches new LDN Horticulture
Garden designer and Pro Landscaper's 30 Under 30: The Next Generation winner, Harry Holding has a new horticulture venture. LDN Horticulture is set to provide aftercare and garden maintenance services across London with its team of horticultural professionals. It aims to prioritise sustainability, working with ecologically sensitive practices...

EGO expands its ride-on range with new tractor mowers
Following the success of its zero-turn mowers, battery-powered outdoor equipment manufacturer, EGO Power Plus is expanding its ride-on range with two new tractor mowers. The twin-blade tractor mowers utilise up to six EGO ARC Lithium™ 56V portable batteries, offering the same power and performance as a petrol counterpart. Group product director...

Tivoli awarded Yorkshire housing maintenance contract
Tivoli Group Ltd has been awarded Yorkshire Housing’s Grounds Maintenance and Associated Services contract for its whole estate, circa 300 sites, covering external grounds across Yorkshire. The contract, which will run for an initial 24 month period from 1 April 2024, with two 12-month extensions, includes grass mowing, planted bed maintenance,...

Navigating the electric fleet transition: How the landscaping sector can accelerate its EV revolution
Mitie Landscapes was unveiled as the Sustainable Company of the Year at the Pro Landscaper Business Awards last year. Group fleet manager Heidi Thompson shares Mitie’s EV journey and its advice for landscaping organisations beginning their EV transitions - from setting challenging targets and celebrating milestones, to the need for creativity...

Makita introduces two new pruning products
Power tools manufacturer Makita adds two new pruning products to its outdoor product range. The new DUP180 Brushless Pruning Shear offers an adjustable shear blade opening angle and the ability to accommodate four different cutting capacities up to ø30mm. Providing up to 8,800 cuts on a single charge, when used with a 6.0Ah battery. The tool’s...

Pro Landscaper announces shortlist for Business Awards 2024
The shortlist has been revealed for this year’s Pro Landscaper Business Awards in association with Caribbean Blinds. Looking beyond individual projects, the awards have recognised over 200 organisations within the UK’s landscaping industry since launching back in 2018. “It’s been another record year for entries, and what’s been really good to see...

Perennial helping build career confidence with new career hub
Perennial strengthens its horticultural trade’s career game with a new career hub, helping those working in the sector build professional confidence. SnapDragon is a free online tool available to anyone irregardless of experience, provided by Working Transitions to aid in professional development. The tool offers career assessments, helping users...
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