19 October 2023

This year we are excited to have a proper event at which to present members with their awards. This will be the first physical get together for our Leaf Awards since before COVID. 

We hope to see all of those members who entered the awards at The Holiday Inn, Camden Lock, London on Thursday 19 October at 2.30 p.m. We will start the event with a mini-conference, plus an early evening dinner.

The Afternoon Seminar Programme:

• Introduction by plants@work Chairman: Kenneth Freeman of Purposeful Places and seminar "Why investing in training can set you apart from your competitors" Kenneth will investigate the hidden returns on your investment in training and how they can be more than you expect.

• Tom Palfreyman, MD of Urban Planters: "Award-winning schemes of 2021 and 2022"  The process from concept to installation of the designs at the Royal College of Physicians at The Spine in Liverpool and Sheffield Hallam’s University where biophilia and the inclusion of nature into the fabric of the buildings in both locations was key. It was critical to the client for the health benefits of the people using the space in the buildings when occupied and operational.

• Richard Sabin MD of Biotecture and Growing Revolution: "Living walls; not just eye candy" Richard is the founder and MD of Biotecture and Growing Revolution, companies on a mission to bring nature back into our urban environments for the good of the Planet, People and Business. Richard has over 30 years' experience in sustainable construction, civil engineering, and green infrastructure.  

• Vanessa Champion of the Journal of Biophilic Design, her bi-monthly journal and her podcast will discuss Biophilia “So what’s all this about Biophilic Design?” What are the top five things designers should talk about when introducing biophilia to their clients? Learn how to ramp your design practice up a notch or two with some key facts and figures to wow your clients, win more business and leave a positive lasting legacy with those who will use the spaces you design.

• Kali Hamerton Stove of The Glasshouse "Preparing women prisoners for life beyond prison" The experience and impact of The Glasshouse working in women’s prisons to train and employ ex-offenders in this horticultural industry. 

• Kate Cooney of Perennial, "Working together to secure better futures for people in horticulture" Perennial is the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping everyone who works in or is retired from horticulture and their families. Find out what they can do for you and how you can support this charity. 

• Carole Plukaard of Koberg, the headline sponsor of this whole event will talk about New Products and Trends 

• Nick Meggison of Festive Productions will talk about Christmas products for 2023

• Fiona Cameron of  DZD & Christmas Direct will also talk about New products for the Festive season

Everyone is welcome! You don’t need to have entered for an award to enjoy the Award celebrations and the mini-conference. In fact we’d love to see you to enjoy both of these parts of the celebration. It would be a great way to return to some sort of normality after the last few years.

If you’ve entered the Awards, don’t forget to shout about it already. You may not know how the judges have scored you but you can see from our earlier blog, there are still plenty of ways you can promote yourself. Take a look here.

Leaf Awards Headline Sponsor:

Christmas Leaf Awards Sponsors: