Announcement: Stronger Together

We were delighted to announce the merger of Nicholsons and Lockhart Garratt.

Introducing The New Nicholsons

With a combined 65 years of experience in the sector, Nicholsons is the result of a union between Nicholsons, who provide high quality landscaping, forestry and arboriculture services and Lockhart Garratt, who are industry leaders in environmental planning, forestry, ecology, arboriculture, soils and landscape architecture. This builds on our joint development of the flagship Forest Canopy Foundation (FCF).

Uniting two successful businesses will create a unique provision within the industry, offering end-to-end services and expertise of the highest quality within one cohesive team, from planning support through to landscape delivery.

We hope to be able to formally celebrate this exciting merger with you later in the year once the Covid situation has hopefully improved, but for now we look forward to continuing to work with you, strengthening our relationship and introducing our new team members in due course.

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Learn about the Nicholsons Lockhart Garratt Offering and how we can help you.

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Meet the Board

Liz NicholsonManaging Director

Liz was educated in Plants and Soil sciences at Edinburgh University with a passion for horticulture. Liz set up the garden design and landscaping division, enjoying the opportunity to bring her creative interest and science training
together. The climate emergency calls for a fresh approach in the commercial world and Liz is enjoying supporting Nicholsons to offer reliable, professional advice and contracting support with a firm eye on sustainability. Liz is a Founding Director of the Forest Canopy Foundation and judges RHS gardens in her free time.

Niel NicholsonFinance Director

Niel studied Ecological Sciences at Edinburgh with an Honours in Forestry and has been with Nicholsons for nearly 30 years. Passionate about the environment and reducing the impact of climate change, he has led on sustainability within
Nicholsons with chip fired boilers, PV panels and electric vans, and is a Founding Director of the Forest Canopy Foundation. He also sits on the Advisory Panel to the Forestry Commission for the Southeast, and the Forestry and Woodland Policy Committee for the CLA.

Justin MumfordDirector of Consultancy

Justin is a highly competent project manager with over 20 years’ professional experience in commercial and amenity forestry and land management. His team consults on and manages woodland and associated property throughout England. Justin is Confor’s Regional Chairman for the East of England, Executive Member of Grown in Britain, Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters, and CLA Committee Member for the National Forestry and Woodlands Committee. Justin is also one of the founding Directors of the Forest Canopy Foundation.

Sam Gibson Director of Operations

Sam joined Nicholsons 9 years ago after studying Geography at Sheffield. With a practical and energetic approach as a result of his background in construction and farm work, he has led the landscape teams on a number of high-profile projects, always with a focus on professionalism and quality of service. Sam is known for his extraordinary attention to detail and pragmatism in delivering technically challenging projects – he is a solution thinker.

Merlin Brooke-LittleDirector of Plants

Merlin has had careers in teaching and gardening and has been with Nicholsons since 2002. In that time, he has overseen the Nursery move to using recycled
water with the development of a reservoir and using captured water. He has moved from an 85% peat potting mix to a peat free status. He has overseen the Nursery and trading arm of the company invest in 100% UK transplants from a previously heavy reliance on Dutch imports. He has led the drive to Plant Healthy status which is a testament to the commitment of the company and the team to protect our environment through sustainability and biosecurity.