PEOPLE
T H E L I T T L E I N T E RV I E W
PRO LANDSCAPER ASKS QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS TO GAIN A SMALL INSIGHT INTO THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP OUR INDUSTRY. TO TAKE PART, EMAIL CONTENT@ EL JAYS44.COM
98 Pro Landscaper /February 2020
Little Interviews.indd 98
BEN FERGUSON
KAREN MCCLURE
Chartered landscape architect, Atkins
Director/garden designer, Karen McClure
www.atkinsglobal.com/en-GB
www.karenmcclure.co.uk
If you werenât in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing? A DJ on a late night music show.
If you werenât in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing? Backing singer for Rod Stewart â yes, Iâm a little obsessed. We have his calendar up in the studio!
Other than the UK, which countryâs landscape inspires you the most? Germany â I went to Munich as a student and was inspired by the interplay between architecture and landscape. What would you blow your budget on? For work? An immersive augmented reality app that brings a space to life and breaches the boundary between the physical and the digital. The one person in the industry youâd love to meet? Monty Don, he seems like such a nice guy. One thing that you think would make the industry better? More time to be âunproductiveâ. If we had more time to play, learn and experiment with ideas, then we could be far more radical in the ways that we approach our profession and our lives in general. Who would play you in a movie of your life? Steve Coogan (channelling Alan Partridge). What three things would you take to a desert island? My vinyl collection, record player and that stack of books I keep on meaning to read. Your favourite joke? I was the first person to come up with the idea of installing trampolines into musicianâs tour buses. Now everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.
Other than the UK, which countryâs landscape inspires you the most? The landscapes of Isles of Scilly. Tresco Abbey Garden in particular. What would you blow your budget on? Taking my husband and children on a lovely trip to somewhere exotic! The one person in the industry youâd love to meet? I have to give a shout-out to my industry friends, Bo Cook and Sophie Cameron. These are two people that I have met and have been a constant support. I think others should have the chance to meet similar like-minded people. These relationships are key in supporting and encouraging as you navigate the industry. Best piece of trivia you know? Richard Branson struggled with being dyslexic and left school early. Despite this, he took his company to great heights â a true inspiration! Who would play you in a movie of your life? My daughter Holly. Sheâs my âmini meâ! Your favourite joke? What did the cheese say when it looked in the mirror? Halloumi! Karaoke song of choice? Anything Rod Stewart!
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21/01/2020 16:06