Judging Panel
JOHN MELMOE
FORMER MANAGING DIRECTOR, WILLERBY LANDSCAPES
John attended Merrist Wood Horticultural College in 1976 to study Landscape Management before joining Comtec (UK) in the role of Contracts Manager. Promoted within the company to oversee Erosion Control projects on an international basis, operating in Gabon, Kenya, Tanzania, Singapore & Malaysia.
In 1984 he was recruited to assist former colleagues in the establishment of a landscape contracting company trading as Willerby Landscapes. Under his stewardship, they achieved an unprecedented six Grand Awards and numerous Principal Awards. John took early retirement in March 2017. He continues to actively mentor contractors and suppliers associated with the landscape industry. In 2019 John assumed the role of Chair of the Judging Panel.
ELIZABETH CONNELLY
SENIOR LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER, PEABODY, LONDON
Elizabeth started her career training & working as a botanical horticulturalist at the University of Birmingham Botanic Gardens and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, progressing to combine her interests in horticulture and design through Garden Design & Landscape Architecture.
Her career has been largely focussed on developing and managing a wide range of publicly accessible greenspaces but has also worked on private commissions while in practice. She currently works for a social housing provider, Peabody, developing liveable landscapes for its residents. With a passion for creating spaces that meaningfully engage with the user Elizabeth brings over 25 years of varied experience within the sector to the role.
GARETH WILSON
INDEPENDENT EXPERT WITNESS & GARDEN CONSULTANT
Gareth has been working in the landscape industry since 1989, constructing high-end landscape projects throughout England. He is a member of the British Association of Landscaping Industries, The Chartered Institute of Horticulture, The Garden Media Guild and The Professional Garden Consultant’s Association.
Gareth’s career includes thirty Royal Horticulture Society (RHS) awards for Show Garden construction at various RHS Shows. Gareth is now an Expert Witness in landscaping, including working for the BBC as a Landscaping Expert, training landscapers at The Landscape Academy based in Chester whilst also being a qualified mediator, lecturer and regular columnist within industry magazines and an industry awards judge.
ROBIN TEMPLAR WILLIAMS
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER, ROBIN WILLIAMS & ASSOCIATES
Robin’s career in landscaping began in 1979 and after gaining many years’ practical experience building and planting gardens he progressed into design. As Managing Director of Robin Williams & Associates, he specialises in designing private gardens and landscapes whilst also working as a Director and Principal Lecturer at the Garden Design School.
Robin is a Fellow of the Society of Garden Designers, an Accredited Designer and former Board Director of BALI, and a certified member and Fellow of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (USA). He has been on the Judging Panel since 2005 and has been the recipient of numerous awards including RHS Gold medals and BALI National Landscape Awards.
MADGE MOORE
CHAIR, YORKSHIRE’S FOOD, FARMING & RURAL NETWORK
Formerly a National Director for Lantra, Madge was responsible for developing close working relations between the Sector Skills Council, employers and a wide range of government departments, agencies and learning providers.
Currently Madge is Chair of Yorkshire’s Food, Farming and Rural Network. The Network acts on behalf of businesses, rural support agencies and trade bodies in Yorkshire to raise issues and concerns to central government. Madge also chairs Grow Yorkshire, an initiative funded by York and North Yorkshire LEP aiming to help improve resilience and productivity in the farming sector. In April 2021 Madge was elected to the Board of the newly formed Hull and East Riding LEP as their rural champion.
NICK COSLETT
TRUSTEE, BALI CHALK FUND
Nick initially trained as a Landscape Architect and worked as a Landscape Manager in local authorities and finally as the Parks Manager at Canterbury. He then brought his customer experience to two Kent nurseries; Coblands Nurseries and finally Palmstead Nurseries.
Nick was Chair of the BALI South Thames region on three occasions and on the committee for over 20 years. He also held the National Chair role at BALI and was on the Judging Panel for the National Landscape Awards for close to 5 years up to 2005, returning in 2020. Having now retired, Nick is a GoLandscape Ambassador and BALI Chalk Fund Trustee.
Ray Stephenson
south east Regional assessor, marshalls
Ray has spent nearly 40 years working across the landscaping industry, with experience spanning major commercial, infrastructure, and high-profile projects. His career includes involvement in landmark schemes such as the Channel Tunnel, GCHQ, Legoland Windsor, RAF Brize Norton, and Disneyland Paris.
After working on large-scale commercial projects, Ray went on to establish his own domestic landscaping business, becoming a registered contractor with leading suppliers including Marshalls, Brett, and Toppave. His expertise and reputation within the industry led to him being appointed as Marshalls’ Regional Assessor for the South East, a role that included judging industry awards and assessing project quality to the highest standards.
dAVE TWIST
cHieF eXECUTive offICER, ELITE LANDSCAPES
Dave Twist is the Chief Executive Officer of Elite Landscapes, the award-winning landscaping and construction business he has successfully led for over 26 years. His career began at just 16 years old when he started out as a gardener at RHS Garden Wisley, giving him a strong practical foundation that continues to shape his hands-on leadership style today.
Under Dave’s direction, Elite has grown into one of the UK’s most respected delivery partners for major developers, known for its quality, reliability and long-term client relationships.
Dave is a board member of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) and also serves as an official BALI Awards Judge, reflecting his standing and influence within the landscaping and construction sector. With decades of industry experience spanning both site delivery and executive leadership, he is widely recognised for his practical expertise, operational discipline and commitment to raising standards across the profession.
Chris deakin
garden designer
Chris is an award winning garden designer with over30 years experience. Having worked for some of the leading landscape companies in the UK, Chris established his own garden design studio in 2017. Now based in his home county of Norfolk, Chris works on projects ranging from small urban gardens to large country estates across East Anglia, London and beyond. He often takes inspiration from the wonderful landscapes of Norfolk and Suffolk.