Founder director of East Dulwich based Rocket Garden Design, Eliza Nicholas, 27, has been included in the class of 2020 for Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation initiative. The initiative, sponsored by landscape product suppliers Green-tech, aims to recognise, reward, and promote the rising stars in the UK’s landscaping industry.

Pro Landscaper, a business to business magazine focused on the UK’s landscaping and garden design industries, has used this initiative to celebrate the best of the market who are 30 years of age or under as of 1 January 2020.

Pro Landscaper’s managing director Jim Wilkinson comments: “Firstly, massive congratulations to all of this year’s winners. What a year to win, with all that the world has thrown at us, and to see so many brilliant entries really reflects amazingly on this sector.

“During these extremely tough and unpredictable times the performance of this year’s winners should not go unnoticed. It’s really important that we continue to recognise, reward, and promote the next generation as they will drive our sector forwards.

“The judges commented that the understanding and engagement of the value green space has on our environment shone through in the entries.”

Sustainability and climate change were high on the agenda from all the entries, as was a real get-up-and-go attitude.

In terms of judging, entrants were scored on their passion, skills and qualifications, achievements, goals, and their message to young people joining the industry. The highest rated, when all scores were collated, were then enrolled into the Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30: The Next Generation class of 2020.

Richard Kay, Chairman of sponsor Green-tech says: “Many congratulations to all winners. The selection process has been rigorous, and this is a great achievement and accolade of your career to date. You have been identified as one of the rising stars of our next generation and I wish you all the very best for the future.”

The class of 2020 makes it 180 winners in total for the Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30: The Next Generation initiative since its inception. The winners will be featured in a presentation at FutureScape VIRTUAL 2020, the UK landscaping industry’s first ever virtual trade exhibition, on Thursday 19 November 2020. Previous winners have gone on to design, build and win gold medals at RHS Chelsea Flower Shows, set up their own businesses and appear on horticulture-related television programmes.