Hillier Nurseries Case Study

SEVEN DAYS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Case study: Will InnesTaylor, Hillier Nurseries

“EVERYONE LOVES THIS INDUSTRY ONCE THEY’RE IN IT. BUT TOO FEW PEOPLE KNOW IT EXISTS.” Will Innes-Taylor

7 DAYS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING How just one week inspired a student into landscaping and why he believes the future starts with BALI. “Parents were literally pulling their kids away from our stand,” says Hillier’s Will InnesTaylor, recalling a student outreach event where passers-by were acting as if their children were being offered careers in crime instead of one creating the outdoors of tomorrow.

That moment stuck with Will, a BALI Ambassador and now member for over 10 years. At the time he wasn’t yet the experienced voice of landscape advocacy he is today. He was standing at a school careers event, volunteering with BALI’s GoLandscape, and he was watching, stunned, as parents recoiled from the idea of their children entering his industry.

Why? Because they had no idea what landscaping really is, with the misconception that it is just a low-level, low-skilled career.

The Accidental Calling It all started at Writtle University College in 2012. Will was studying horticulture and attended a one-week landscaping module. It wasn’t meant to change his life.

“It was just a week. But it clicked. Something about landscaping just felt right.”

Encouraged by his lecturer - former BALI National Landscape Awards judge Greg Allen Will joined BALI as a student member.

Free to join, rich in opportunities - it gave him a glimpse into an entire world he hadn’t seen before.

That one spark led to the BALI Chalk Fund Award, a jumpstart into networking, exposure, and a whole new vision of what his career could become.

Straight out of university, Will landed a role at Oak View Landscapes, led by BALI Board Director Paul Downer - a man described by Will as “a walking, talking BALI advocate.” Paul didn’t just give Will a job; he opened a door to BALI events and a community that showed up.

“Paul took me to my first event. That’s when I realised - this industry isn’t just soil and shrubs.

It’s people and passion.”

Will found himself surrounded by leaders, mentors, and peers willing to share their hard-

“THEY WERE LITERALLY PULLING THEIR KIDS AWAY FROM OUR STAND - AS IF WE WERE OFFERING CAREERS IN CRIME INSTEAD OF CREATING THE OUTDOORS OF TOMORROW.” Will Innes-Taylor

earned knowledge. For a young contractor, it was like stepping into a masterclass in career development - on repeat, for free.

Will eventually moved from the contracting side into the supply side of horticulture, a leap which many might find daunting.

“Being on the supplier side, I worried I’d lose my contracting network. But the opposite happened.

Those connections stayed with me, and people still check in. That’s the kind of industry BALI helps to build.”

More than a network, BALI became a lifeline during transitions, as well as a reminder that this industry thrives on community, not competition.

A Voice for the Next Generation Now, as a GoLandscape ambassador, Will is confronting the image problem head-on.

present at events that change minds and open eyes, particularly for the next generation.

“The stand at Writtle’s open day was the only one with kids queuing to try laying blocks and building walls. It actually got them involved, it’s not just someone with a pamphlet. That’s how you get them interested.”

The Power of Presence Will's not just a talker though, he’s a doer. With nearly a decade of involvement on BALI’s committees, initially with East Anglia and later with the North Thames Committee, he’s often been the youngest voice in the room - and one of the most listened to.

He points to the real power of regional events: honest conversations, shared struggles, real friendships.

“BALI gives you permission to grow, because

“We asked all the parents, ‘What is landscaping?’

We probably got 100 different answers. None of them were right. Landscaping is an industry that, through lack of education, has been poorly regarded for a long time. That needs to change.”

At school fairs, he saw the stigma first hand landscaping dismissed as a “low-skill fallback.”But he knew better, and so do the thousands of people who’ve built thriving careers in the landscaping industry. That’s why Will fights to be

“PEOPLE SAY, ‘WHAT DOES BALI DO FOR ME?’ BUT BALI’S DOING IT ALL - YOU JUST HAVE TO SHOW UP AND TAKE PART.” Will Innes-Taylor

the people in that room want you to succeed.

You’re made to feel comfortable enough to ask questions. The support that you receive is invaluable. Everyone cares about how everyone is getting on. That’s why I think attending regional events is really important.”

For solo traders and newcomers in particular, it’s often the only place they can ask the question no one else is answering: “Am I doing this right?”

“A lot of people come into this industry as sole traders and it can be quite a lonely job,” explains Will; “Going to those events you get reassurance and advice, either “everyone is in the same position I am” or, if not, “Am I doing something right and I’ll share it, or if I’m not, tell me what I’m doing wrong.” People aren’t just saying what you want to hear, there’s honest discussions about everything, including the state of the market.”

“You get out what you put in. People say, ‘What

the right direction towards addressing these

does BALI do for me?’ But BALI’s doing it all - you just have to show up and take part.”

issues and strengthening an industry that has a lot to offer both young and old alike.

He champions lesser-known benefits like the

“Everyone loves this industry once they’re in it. But

dispute resolution service, Quest HR, and the treasure trove of college partnerships that are bringing new talent into the field.

too few people know it exists.”

And he celebrates BALI’s National Awards as a

Will’s experience proves what BALI continues to champion: landscaping isn’t one job. It’s many different disciplines under one green umbrella.

From hard landscaping to nursery production, contract management to urban greening, there’s a place for every kind of mind.

“It’s not just block paving, it’s not just turfing, it’s multi-discipline. There are a huge range of careers out there within landscaping.”

BALI: More Than Just a Logo Will’s advice to new members? Don’t just slap the logo on your van and disappear.

Will believes BALI must continue leading the charge - through public education, policy advocacy, and inspiration. And he’s not alone.

“That first year in the industry is tough. So when

With forward-thinking directors like Jake Catling and Paul Lynch, and the momentum of a passionate membership, the stage is set.

you walk into that awards night, surrounded by 1,000 people who love what you do and where

“Landscaping is a real job which requires real

the world’s best landscaping is on show, your mind just thinks “Blimey! I’m part of this industry”.

It’s a complete game-changer, a massive

graft, but there are real rewards. There’s a reason why so many people come into landscaping as a second career.”

vital motivator for young landscapers.

inspiration.”

Contact: hillier.co.uk The future, as Will sees it, is both exciting and urgent. With climate change, urbanisation, and mental health all driving renewed interest in outdoor spaces, landscaping is more relevant than ever. But the skills shortage is real. BALI’s GoLandscape, among other initiatives, is a step in

“WHEN YOU WALK INTO THAT AWARDS NIGHT - WITH 1,000 PEOPLE WHO LOVE WHAT YOU DO. IT’S A COMPLETE GAMECHANGER.” Will Innes-Taylor

ENJOY ALL THE SAME BENEFITS AS HILLIER NURSERIES AND BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH A BALI MEMBERSHIP

The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) is the leading Trade Association representing all landscape professionals - from design, build and maintenance through to supply, training and education.

Over 900 Accredited members represent some of the best landscaping businesses across the country, from large corporations, to local traders, to individual designers.

As a BALI member you can take advantage of these fantastic benefits, helping you to enjoy great

ombudsman will assess the dispute and help both parties to come to an amicable solution, as well as

value for your membership:

making a considered decision.

Bali logo and accreditation Your membership allows the use of the BALI logo, which acts a trusted mark among the public and potential clients, showcasing that your business is approved by industry experts. From van decals to letterheads, using the logo can help to elevate

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Our Association's professional team, based at Landscape House in Warwickshire, deliver exceptional business, technical and promotional support to our members.

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Why Join BALI? When you become a BALI member, you're joining a nationwide network of accredited landscaping professionals - committed to

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Plus many more, including our quarterly magazine, Landscape News, which features helpful tips and advice, and the opportunity to enter our National Landscape Awards, which showcases the best of the best in Landscaping.

To see a full list of the membership benefits, visit www.bali.org.uk/help-andadvice/documents/bali-membership-benefits2025-26 Start your membership journey today!

Email: steve.crowe@bali.org.uk Phone: 02475 185 610