Our people
Perennial's nationwide presence is anchored by our dedicated team, with staff positioned across the UK.
Our national office, based in Leatherhead, Surrey, coordinates efforts to support the horticulture sector, which is complemented by advisers and fundraisers stationed throughout the country. Guiding our charity is a committed board of trustees, ensuring effective support for all in the horticultural community.
Who's who
Perennial is governed by a Board of Trustees who serve on a voluntary basis. They are drawn from a variety of professions, but all have a common objective of providing the very best in support services to those in need in horticulture.
Patron
HRH Princess Alexandra, KG, GCVO
President
Alan Titchmarsh CBE, VMH
Vice Presidents
Jim Buttress VMH
Lord (Hugh) Cavendish of Furness DL
Alan Down
Sir David Howard Bt
Alan Kendall MBE
Cindy Peck
Dougal Philip
Sir Roger Singleton CBE
Sir Roy Strong CH
Keith Weed
Trustees
Paul Rochford – Chairman
A fifth generation nurseryman, Paul runs Joseph Rochford Gardens, a wholesale business supplying plants to the landscape industry.
Steven Palmer – Honorary Treasurer
Former Finance Director, Squire’s Garden Centres. Chair of the Resources Committee.
David Buchanan-Cook
David used to work for Scottish Legal Complaints Commission as a Case Investigations Manager/Head of Oversight & Deputy CEO/ Head of Strategic Insight until August 2019.
Susan Burgess
Susan’s horticultural career began in 1993, culminating in 20 years as the Property Manager & Head Gardener at Pitmedden Garden, Aberdeenshire. She then moved on to television gardening becoming Assistant Producer on BBC Scotland’s Beechgrove Garden. Susan is currently working freelance in television production and as a Garden Consultant.
Richard Capewell
Previously a Chief Executive of Perennial, Richard has returned to support the charity as a trustee.
Richard Lawton
Richard Lawton’s entire career has been spent in the horticultural sector. For more than 30 years he worked for Hillier Nurseries culminating in a ten-year stint as a Sales and Marketing Manager, and more recently a Business Manager for the Newey group from which post he recently retired. He is Chair of Perennial Trading, Chair of the Marketing and Fundraising Committee and a member of the Resources Committee.
Lilidh Matthews
Lilidh has worked across the whole horticulture sector and supply chain from viticulture to fresh produce, cut flowers, and edible and ornamental plants. With a background rooted in commercial procurement and innovation, her experiences include working in garden centres, supermarkets and ecommerce. Lilidh’s advisory work focuses on helping organisations future-proof their operations, offering counsel on transformation, growth and strategy. Lilidh also sits on industry committees including the Royal Horticultural Society, Worshipful Company of Gardeners and Young People in Horticulture Association.
Helen Seal
Helen works as a self-employed gardener and garden adviser and was Alpine and Woodland Supervisor at the University of Cambridge Botanic Garden for eight years.
Barbara Segall
Well-known horticulturist and garden writer. Her work appears in a number of popular publications such as Gardeners World, The Garden, Kitchen Garden, Country Life, Your Garden and Country Living. Member of the RHS Herb Advisory Group. Member of Suffolk NGS Country Team.
James Sinclair Taylor
James Sinclair Taylor joined as a trustee in 2025 and has significant experience in the charity law sector.
Neville Stein
Neville Stein trades as ‘Neville Stein Horticultural Business Consultant’. Primarily working in the ‘land based’ sector, Neville has become recognized as an expert business consultant and trainer amongst SMEs and family enterprises. Beginning his career in the nursery industry in 1977, Neville had a variety of jobs after completing an OND in Nursery practices in 1981 at Pershore College of Horticulture. Neville is also an associate tutor at West Suffolk College and delivers training and workshops in sales and marketing, presentation skills and finance for non-financial managers. In addition he is an assessor on the MHort (RHS) and teaches on the Kew Diploma.
Ambassadors
Mark Gregory
Mark is well known for his award-winning garden designs at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and has been an RHS Ambassador since 2022. He is also Managing Director of Landform Consultants in Chobham.
Senior staff
Chief Executive Jamie Gault
Director of Services Julia Hayne
Director of Finance Simon Kemp
Director of Operations Amy Routley
Business Systems Manager Clive Westwood
Head of Fundraising Edward Charles
Gardens Commercial Development Director Laura Booty