Professor Nigel Dunnett has been named as one of the top three most influential figures in the Landscape industry, by Pro Landscaper Magazine.
The award was announced in November, at a ceremony at FutureScape in London’s ExCeL.
Alongside Nigel in the top three was Chelsea’s most decorated designer, Sarah Eberle, who is now dedicating her time to exploring sustainable practices and Managing Director of Landform Consultants Mark Gregory, who has a string of RHS Gold medals to his name.
Professor Dunnett was honoured for his work transforming urban greening; including this summer’s celebrated Superbloom, the Barbican, and – with Professor James Hitchmough – the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
This award indicates the reach of the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield, across the wider landscape and built environment professions.
Professor Nigel Dunnett
Nigel said: "what a great honour to be voted as one of the top three most influential people in the landscape industry in the Pro Landscaper awards, alongside the incredible Sarah Eberle and Mark Gregory; and among a wonderful group of the top 25.”
“Much of what I do across the range of teaching, research and practice is about sharing, exploring, pushing, innovating, encouraging and – hopefully – inspiring."
"It’s also about raising the profile, importance and value of landscape, gardens, gardeners, landscape design, maintenance, horticulture, plants and ecology - as an essential for making healthy and liveable places, not just for us, but for the whole ecosystem.”
Pro Landscaper readers were asked to put forward who they considered the top three most Influential people, which formed a shortlist of 50 names. These finalists were put out to a vote to reach the top 25 of Pro Landscaper’s Most Influential.
Those in the top 25 included Monty Don, the TV presenter and horticulturalist and Jane Findlay, Immediate Past President of the Landscape Institute, along with two visiting Professors from the Department of Landscape Architecture, Andrew Grant, founder and director of Grant Associates and renowned plantsman Piet Oudolf.
Nigel added: “this is a very special and meaningful award. It's made even more so because this is voted for by industry peers outside academia spanning the whole of the landscape industry - landscape architects, garden designers, horticulturists, gardeners, landscape managers and landscape contractors.”
“This indicates the reach of the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield, across the wider landscape and built environment professions.”
Also in the Top 25:
- Monty Don, TV presenter and horticulturist
- Peter Fane, executive chairman, The Nurture Group
- Jane Findlay, director, Fira; immediate past president, Landscape Institute
- Andrew Grant, founder and director, Grant Associates
- Wayne Grills, CEO, British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI)
- Mark Lane, TV presenter and garden designer, Mark Lane Designs
- Paul Lynch, managing director, Elmtree Garden Contractors
- Tom Massey, owner, Tom Massey Studio
- Tim O’Hare, principal consultant, Tim O’Hare Associates
- Thomas O’Mahony, managing director, Maylim
- Piet Oudolf, garden designer
- John Parker, CEO, Arboricultural Association
- Ann-Marie Powell, principal, Ann-Marie Powell Gardens
- Alan Sargent, garden consultant
- James Scott, managing director, The Garden Company
- Steven Walley, managing director, London Stone
- Adam White, director, Davies White
- Ken White, managing director, Frosts Landscapes
- Andrew Wilson, director, London College of Garden Design (LCGD)