Elite Landscapes 20th Anniversary Supplement

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WELCOME

Celebrating 20 years

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ooking back on 20 years of Elite has been illuminating. From starting the business in my dining room with my wife Diana, to what Elite Landscapes is today, has been a truly phenomenal achievement that we are both very proud of.

I have always been dedicated to the landscape industry, ever since leaving school and starting my career at RHS Garden Wisley on a two-year apprenticeship. Being able to make my own mark on the industry with Elite Landscapes and getting to watch it flourish into a successful business has been one of my proudest achievements to date.

Having just turned 60 last month, it is a good time to reflect back on the business’ journey. It has always been a dream of mine to establish a landscape company with an excellent reputation for reliability and eye for detail in construction. I truly feel

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Elite Landscapes is the fulfilment of that dream. The fact that Elite has established client relationships, some of which span over 18 years, shows that we must be doing something right!

The rapid establishment and success of this business is largely due to the team that has been built around the name and the people who have established themselves within the business through hard work and dedication. They are the success story of Elite, and Diana and I are very proud of the opportunities it has created for each and every one of them – the future is very much theirs.

I am delighted by what Elite has achieved to date, but I am aware that any company is only as good as its last job. We at Elite focus on this aspect at all times, ensuring that we continue to be at the top of our game, guaranteeing the future of the business

is taken care of. I for one am looking forward to another 20 years of successful trading for Elite Landscapes and I am excited and hopeful for the next chapter.

Dave Twist, Managing director

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INTERVIEW

Q&A with Dave Twist Managing director Dave Twist talks about the company’s journey over the last 30 years, from starting out in his living room to boasting a turnover of more than £30m How and why did you get into landscaping?

Why landscaping? Well, I don’t think I will ever really know the answer to that question!

It really started when I began work at RHS Garden Wisley at 16 years’ old, and I’ve never looked back.

I worked weekends at plant nurseries whilst at school and when I left at 16, I was fortunate enough to be offered an apprenticeship at Wisley. I moved from Walsall to Wisley, and for the next two years I worked towards a diploma in horticulture.

From there I went on to Askham Bryan College for the Ordinary National Diploma, and finally to Writtle Horticultural College to take on the Advanced National Diploma and the M. Hort RHS.

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How and when did Elite Landscapes start, where were you based and what were the first few contracts?

Elite Landscapes was first registered in November 1999. I was unemployed and my wife Di and I set up Elite Landscapes Ltd from our dining room table! We initially undertook domestic garden design and building works with me doing the design work as well as the contract work. All jobs were local to Buckinghamshire and ranged from £1k to £15k.

What were the big step changes and achievements?

In May 2002, we won our first commercial landscape contract at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Greenwich. It was around £40k in value. Then, in November of the same year, we were asked to consult for St George Developments on installed landscape works at Imperial Wharf and subsequently awarded the landscape contract for North Cater Park

on the site. It was our first hard and soft landscape package for full construction and was the start of a working relationship which is still going strong.

Our first BALI Award win was for Cherkeley Court. We started work in July 2004 on a signifcant restoration project of the external

IT WAS OUR FIRST HARD AND SOFT LANDSCAPE PACKAGE FOR FULL CONSTRUCTION AND WAS THE START OF A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WHICH IS STILL GOING STRONG grounds including a ha-ha and large scale balustrade works. It was the first prestigious project we completed.

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INTERVIEW What is your relationship like with your suppliers?

We have an excellent relationship with our supply chain – this is motivated by mutual respect and a great attitude of working together to get the job done.

Who are the key personnel at Elite?

There’s myself, the managing director; Diana Twist, the financial director; senior commercial manager Mark Robinson; and our senior estimator Scott Hawkes.

We undertook restoration works for Coworth Park, a Dorchester hotel, in January 2009, alongside quality contract works at St George’s Wharf in Vauxhall. Both were BALI Award winning projects in the same year and our turnover increased considerably.

In October 2011, Elite was awarded works at the Athlete’s Village for the 2021 Olympics, and in May 2013 we constructed the largest roof garden in London at Fulham Wharf – the contract was worth more than £4m and won a BALI Award.

From October 2014 to October 2016, our turnover more than tripled from £6m to £19m. In 2018, we were awarded sizeable contracts at White City for St James Group and at Royal Wharf for Ballymore Group for complete external construction packages. By 2020, we were structured to undertake large scale landscape construction schemes with a turnover in excess of £30m annually.

What type of projects does Elite now work on?

Our average contract value is in excess of £1m.

Where are you based?

Our company is based in Burnham, Buckinghamshire. We’re mainly site based as the contracts are large scale and demand site management presence full time.

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How have the contracts changed over the last few years?

Our works are now predominantly complete external construction and planting contracts including groundworks through to full maintenance of completed sites. Programme and installation-wise, the bigger and more complex the site, the more it is an Elite package.

What are the plans for the company over the next five years?

The plans for the next five years are more of the same and a focus on consolidation of turnover. Elite is looking at a number of partnering relationships with key suppliers to strengthen the supply chain. We are in the process of extending the maintenance

How hands on are you personally?

As hands on as possible as it is a firm belief that Elite Landscapes is only as good as their last completed contract. I am aided by a strong management team that makes it easier for me to visit as many sites as possible with solid day-today organisation backup.

How many contracts are usually on the go at one time?

Around 15 contracts are on the go at any one time in various stages of construction.

What contracts has Elite won recently?

Elite has recently won contracts for Battersea Power Station for a large roof garden and have recently secured work for St George PLC at Grand Union.

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INTERVIEW arm of the business as we see an opportunity to expand our core services.

What do you think are the future industry trends?

The future for Elite Landscapes will be to always service its partnership clients as well as we have in the past, whilst seeking out new clients that also value quality landscape installation. Elite are also looking to grow the follow-on maintenance arm of the business as we recognise this is a major way of increasing turnover within the same industry. There is still a lot of positivity towards the requirements for good quality outdoor spaces for the future and even in these strange times, we are still working within in a very buoyant and exciting market.

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Elite Landscapes Ltd. / 20th anniversary

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HISTORY

Timeline May 2000 First commercial contract – £40k – undertaken for Kvaerner Construction at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Greenwich for hard and soft landscaping to courtyard gardens.

November 1999 Elite Landscapes Ltd was registered by owners Dave and Diana Twist.

Work undertaken was consultancy and locallygenerated garden design and build – the company needed deposits to keep the cash flow positive as it was being set up.

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September 2000 First £100k contract awarded for Hackney Community College.

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February 2002 Turnover of the company was still relatively low – around £700k. First notable contract awarded for the refurbishment of Rose Gardens in Gladstone Park for the London Borough of Brent.

January 2003 First large-scale contract of £350k awarded for North Parkland at Imperial Wharf in Fulham. Elite is still working on the same site at Chelsea Creek 18 years later.

November 2002 Asked by St George PLC to advise on landscaping works at Imperial Wharf.

The consultancy provided at that time started a relationship which continues to this day.

January 2009 Started works on a contract for Coworth Park, part of the Dorchester Collection of hotels, which finally opened in 2011. This contract is renowned for excellence in landscape construction and helped to put Elite on the industry’s map.

July 2004 Awarded contract for historic restoration works to the grounds of Cherkley Court for the Beaverbrook Estate, which culminated in a stinning job and Elite achieving its first BALI National Landscape Award.

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HISTORY

September 2009 Started complex hard and soft landscaping for St George in St George’s Wharf, the company’s first £1m+ project.

May 2013 Awarded largest roof garden project in London at the time, at Fulham Wharf for Barratt London.

It won a BALI Principle Award for Landscape Construction over £1.5m in 2016.

October 2011 Undertook works for Lendlease at the Athletes’ Village for the 2012 Olympic Games. Elite Landscapes’ turnover grew to £3m.

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May 2015 Completed the challenging scheme of forming the Goodman’s Fields Horses water feature – which is now a landmark in the City of London.

October 2014 The company’s turnover hit £6.7m.

May 2018 Awarded White City Phase 1 works by St James Group. The contract value is in excess of £8m and is due for completion in April 2021.

October 2016 Turnover had trebled in two years to £19m, solely in landscape construction works.

March 2020 Completed works for Ballymore at Royal Wharf, a £9m contract, ahead of schedule and to budget.

Elite is established as a leading construction company for management and implementation of complex and detailed urban schemes.

October 2019 Company turnover surpasses £30m.

Elite Landscapes wins a BALI Principle Award for a stunning project at One Blackfriars and a Pro Landscaper Podium Award for Fulham Wharf. The company has established itself as one of the leading landscape construction contractors for the provision of both hard and soft landscape schemes.

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Suppliers of Green Roof Systems to Landscapers Nationwide Congratulations to Elite Landscapes on their 20th anniversary

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PROJECTS

Projects White City Client: St James Project value: £9m Timeframes: July 2018 to March 2021 Info: Elite delivered extensive landscaping to this high-quality development, next to Westfield’s flagship shopping centre. It includes several large water features, semi-mature trees and a rich variety of green spaces, enhancing the environment for residents and creating a welcoming community feel. There are also beautiful roof gardens and terraces, magnolia gardens and spring gardens.

Royal Wharf Client: Ballymore Project value: £9m Timeframes: Sept 2019 to Jan 2021 Info: Elite Landscapes undertook the hard and soft landscaping for this large prestigious development in East London – the programme was very demanding and was completed within 18 months, including taking on a large percentage of extra works.

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PROJECTS Fulham Wharf Client: Barratt London Project value: £4.5m Timeframes: May 2015 to July 2017 Info: At over an acre in size, Fulham Wharf has the largest roof gardens in London, located three floors up above a Sainsbury’s superstore. Our work on this landmark project included extensive water features and all hard and soft landscaping, creating a series of ‘gardens within the garden’ with careful planting for interest all year round. The result is an inspiring and tranquil urban sanctuary.

Awards: Podium Awards 2019 Winner Commerical Build

London Dock Client: St George Project value: £4.7m Timeframes: Nov 2017 to Dec 2018 Info: A striking scheme for the landmark London Dock development in Wapping. It includes one of the biggest pavement water features in London, and hard landscaping that reflects the heritage of the area. Greenery, trees and planting add softness to this urban setting.

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PROJECTS Goodman’s Fields Client: Berkeley Homes Project value: £4.1m Info: Located in the heart of the city of London, this high quality external space features life size horse sculptures running through a linear water feature.

Elite brought the concept to life, managing and installing the full scheme from concrete construction to soft landscaping, plus creating roof gardens at various levels.

Awards: BALI Award 2015 Hard Landscape Construction (Non-domestic) Construction Cost Between £300k-£1.5 million

The Wardian Client: Ballymore Project value: £4m Timeframes: Since Dec 2020 (ongoing) Info: The Wardian is a luxury development which included landscaping to an atrium at the top of the building and interior landscaping around the swimming pool along with external paving and planting works.

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PROJECTS Kidbrooke Village Client: Berkeley East Project value: £4m Timeframes: Jan 2019 to June 2019 Info: Winner of the prestigious Sir David Attenborough Award for Enhancing Biodiversity, Cator Park is a beautiful space in the heart of South East London’s Kidbrooke Village. Elite planted a staggering 5,498 new trees and shrubs and 13,751 new herbaceous and climbing plants; collaborated with Apes Adventure Playground to deliver a fun and athletic play area and sports facilities; and built an educational ecology trail.

Chelsea Creek Client: St George Project value: £3.2m Timeframes: June 2018 to Dec 2019 Info: This luxurious collection of apartments demanded elegant and refined outdoor spaces. Elite delivered stunning roof gardens with outdoor kitchens, hot tubs, paved terraces and exotic planting to penthouses on the 21st floors, along with ground floor exterior landscaping including detailed water feature works and a spectacular illuminated pedestrian bridge.

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TESTIMONIALS

Testimonials “Elite Landscapes have been involved in the installation of a significant number of strategically important large scale hard and soft landscape installations on behalf of Murdoch Wickham landscape architects. Spanning a period of eight years, these works include areas of high quality public realm, public and private garden courts and landscape infrastructure primarily on behalf of the Berkeley Group and located in the heart of busy urban areas of London including Goodman’s Fields, White City and Woodberry Down.

These projects often posed a number of significant logistical and technical challenges not least of all the delivery and installation of large numbers of specimen trees often weighing in excess of three tonnes, hand-picked and imported from a number of key European suppliers. Elite Landscapes are also used to working closely with UK based suppliers charged with the contract growing of large numbers of shrubs and perennial plants for specific projects.

The delivery of complex and large scale hard landscape works is also a fundamental part of the company’s expertise.

Often in roof garden situations or over podium decks the company is fully equipped deal with all technical issues including the full coordination of irrigation systems and complex water features.

Elite’s excellent site management and skilled workforce enable them to tackle any scale of project and to complete them to a very high industry standard. The scale of their operation also allows them to respond well to changes in building programmes and the like without compromising the finished result of their work.”

Murdoch Wickham

“Elite Landscapes Ltd are currently involved with the contract to complete all our site landscaping over our development at West End Gate London.

They are approaching completion of the first phase of landscaping works and have been able to carry this out efficiently and effectively to achieve our site programme deadlines.

Once the contract was appointed to Elite, they were very proficient with their design procurement in securing delivery lead in times with their suppliers and manufactures in good time to secure delivery dates of specified materials for site to progress the works required.

Their work on site is being managed very well with their site team and is continually being carried out to a very high standard.”

Berkeley Homes

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TESTIMONIALS

“We have been a subcontractor for Elite Landscapes for years. In that time, we have developed a mutually beneficial relationship based on shared values of quality, attention to detail, price and service.

Elite are one of our very best clients in terms of repeat business and promptness of payment. On site, we have excellent working relationships with the various Elite site managers. We have found the team at Elite to be professional, hardworking, able to resolve any issues on site and very approachable.

Dave Twist and his team in the office are always very professional. I look forward to maintaining the relationship for many more years into the future.”

Waterwise Solutions

“Elite Landscapes and Fountains Direct have been working together since 2014 and, in that time, we have successfully completed some of the most significant water features installed within the London area in the last decade.

Working openly with one another, planning collaboratively and in support of each other has allowed each company to focus on providing the client with the best service they can while also ensuring we build water features of the highest quality. An excellent demonstration of this can be seen at White City Living for St James part of the Berkeley Homes group of companies. The large site has numerous water features and huge areas of irrigation all of which Fountains Direct designed as part of the wider design team. When it came to tendering the project the two companies were able to work closely together to provide the client with excellent value at the same time as ensuring a compliant bid was offered.

Fountains Direct very much enjoy working with the Elite team. The work is often challenging but always rewarding and we hope the relationship will continue to grow for many years to come.”

Fountains Direct

“We have been working with Dave Twist and the team from Elite Landscapes for many years and it has always been a pleasure. They work on some exceptional projects throughout the country, and we would always hold them in very high regard for quality and professionalism.

They have an excellent understanding of the full Kinley terrace system, most recently installing it at ‘The Dumont’ scheme by The Berkeley Group. They are a great company to work with and one Kinley would fully recommend.”

Kinley

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THE TEAM

M eet t h e M a na g er s Diana Twist – Finance director Proudest moment working for Elite?

Going into London to see finished sites with Dave. I’m often behind the screen, but being able to see how Elite makes its own marks on London is one of my greatest achievements.

What’s the best thing about your role?

I believe in paying people on time. Being in my position, I’m able to make sure my team works to this same standard.

I have great respect for our sub-contractors and suppliers, and I think this acknowledges that.

Scott Hawkes – Senior estimating manager Proudest moment working for Elite?

During a challenging 2020, both myself and the estimating team were able to build on the success of earlier years. As a result, we achieved a significant increase in the volume of secured work, beating all expectations and targets.

What’s the best thing about your role?

It is extremely satisfying and rewarding after all the hard work that is put in by the estimating team to take a landscaping bid from the initial enquiry through to securing the project.

Mark Unwin – Senior contract manager Proudest moment working for Elite?

My proudest moment working for Elite was winning my first BALI award for the Goodmans Field Project.

Best thing about your role?

Being involved in exciting landscaping developments in London, and seeing people enjoy the outdoor spaces that we create.

Mark Robinson – Senior commercial manager Proudest moment working for Elite?

Completing £2m of work on a prestigious project at Wembley in under three months.

What’s the best thing about your role?

Every day presents a new challenge, which is providing huge variety in work and interaction with many different people.

How would you describe Elite in three words?

Quality, experienced, collaborative.

Bertie Morley – Maintenance manager Proudest moment working for Elite?

Being able to work on the regeneration project at Battersea.

Michael Chapman – Commercial manager Proudest moment working for Elite?

Having just joined, finishing the Information Centre at Clarendon Road was probably up there. Seeing a job through from tender to practical completion for the first time was great.

What’s the best thing about your role?

Privilege of working on the most exciting future construction projects in London.

What’s the best thing about your role?

I enjoy the variation I have in my weeks at Elite, I can come into work with a plan and that often changes within a phone call. It is also great to be working on a range of jobs across London and surrounding counties; every site is very different.

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THE TEAM

Chris Thomas – Senior contract manager Proudest moment working for Elite?

When we went on stage to collect the Principal BALI Award for Fulham Riverside. It was a challenging project that took a lot of personal time and effort, so it was amazing to be recognised.

What’s the best thing about your role?

I get to deal with a variety of stake holders from lots of different clients and projects. Elite works for some of the best clients in the business, so I enjoy working with many smart and motivated people. There’s always something new to learn.

Leslie Storey – Office manager Proudest moment?

Every day is a proud moment! I’ve enjoyed every day of working for Elite.

Nick Ebelthite – Senior contract manager Proudest moment working for Elite?

Berkeley Homes Trent Park, as part of our restoration of a historic landscape. We had to install 42 x 40-45cm girth lime trees. This was a particular challenge as they came in from Germany during a heatwave in June.

Best thing about your role?

I have something different to do every day; no two days are the same.

What’s the best thing about your role?

I love building strong relationships with my clients. Elite also completes some of the most exciting landscape projects in the region; having the opportunity to deliver these is brilliant.

Nathan Eade – Senior contract manager Proudest moment?

Back to back Bali awards for two of Elite’s contracts, Imperial Wharf Parklands – a large open play space on the Thames – and Fulham Riverside a high-end private podium garden, offering sports, water features and a maze.

Best thing about your role?

Hands-on involvement of the dayto-day running of sites and seeing developments progress from tendering stage to completion.

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How would you describe Elite in three words?

Fun, welcoming and busy.

Derek Butler – Senior contract manager Proudest moment?

Recently completing Royal Wharf in September 2020 on programme in defiance of all the issues with COVID-19 was a proud moment.

Kieran Carroll – Contracts manager Proudest moment?

My involvement in the team that completed the overhaul and restoration of old grounds and gardens at Leatherhead, with subsequent recognition by BALI.

Best thing about your role?

Creating spaces that people will enjoy for a long time to come.

Best thing about your role?

The teamwork with autonomy, yet support when needed.

How would you describe Elite in three words?

Professional, flexible, quality,

How would you describe Elite in three words?

Honesty, loyalty and quality.

Nigel Farnall – Contracts manager Proudest moment?

Achieving recognition through client monthly appraisals throughout 2016/17 at Woodberry Down as performing above and beyond expectations in health & safety, sustainability and community involvement.

Best thing about your role?

Having a role which allows me to work both outdoors and in the office – the best of both worlds.

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Congratulations to Elite Landscapes

One Blackfriars, London

Bringing landscape design to life for over 20 years.

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