Dig Deep
Dig Deep is the official podcast from BALI, the British Association of Landscape Industries. Each episode brings together people shaping the future of landscaping, including contractors, suppliers, policy leaders, and innovators. It explores issues such as sustainability, skills shortages, dispute resolution, design trends, and new technology. New episodes are released fortnightly, offering insights, real stories, and practical advice from across UK landscaping.
Episodes
Ep.18 Backing the Next Generation: Why People Are Landscaping's Greatest Asset with Richard Gill from Origin Green-tech
In this episode of Dig Deep, recorded live at FutureScape, Rosie Sayers speaks with Richard Gill, Sales Director at Origian Green-tech, about how the landscaping industry has changed over two decades - and why its people are its greatest asset.
Richard joined Origian Green-tech as a junior sales rep at 21 and, 22 years later, leads the sales team as director. That journey gives him a rare, ground-
Ep. 17 Why Landscaping Is Outperforming the Economy with Trevor Williams
In this episode of Dig Deep, recorded remotely, Rosie Sayers speaks with economist and strategist Trevor Williams about the economic forces shaping the future of the UK landscaping industry - and why, against a sluggish national economy, landscaping is quietly outperforming.
Fresh from his keynote at the BALI National Conference, Trevor explains why demand for green space is structural rather than
Ep. 16 Building a Landscaping Brand Young Talent Wants to Join
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
Ep. 15: The Spirit of Chelsea: Stories from the BALI Hive Garden
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
Ep. 14 Inside Chelsea Build Week with Mark Gregory
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
Ep. 13 The Final 5% | What Makes an Award-Winning Landscape?
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
Ep. 12 Building a Landscaping Business on People, Standards and Apprenticeships
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 trainin
Ep. 11 Making Biodiversity Net Gain Simple | BNG, Design and the Future of Landscaping
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
Ep. 10 What Excellence Looks Like in Landscaping | BALI Awards, Collaboration and the Future of the Industry
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
Ep. 9 - Roots, Robots & Revolution: How GroundsFest Is Reshaping the Landscaping Industry
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 delib
Ep. 8 Two Journeys, One Industry. Young Landscapers on Finding Their Way
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
Ep. 7 Closing the Skills Gap. Apprenticeships, Bootcamps and the Future of Landscaping
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
Ep. 6. Building Skills and Careers in Landscaping with Jonathan Petit from GoLandscape
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 peop
Ep. 5. Developing the Next Generation: Education, Apprenticeships, and Industry Partnerships at Merrist Wood College
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
Supp
Ep. 4. Inside BALI with CEO Wayne Grills
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
Ep. 3 Disputes Made Simple: How the Ombudsman Supports BALI Members
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
Ep 2. Speaking Up for Landscaping: How BALI’s Amy Cobbett Is Taking Members’ Voices to Government
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
Ep. 1: Building a Career in Landscaping: Insights from Will Innes-Taylor from Hilliers
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
