NICHOLSONS, NORTH ASTON

Established: 1979

Employee numbers: 160 Generations in the business: 3

From its 23-acre site at North Aston, between Banbury and Oxford, Nicholsons offers professional garden services including design, construction and maintenance, forestry and arboriculture. Its Rosara Outdoor Style sells garden furniture and accessories, there is a plant centre specialising in trees, hedging and topiary, and a yurt café.

Roderick Nicholson established the business in 1987. Five years later he was joined by his son Niel, now Financial Director. Liz Nicholson joined in 1997 and is now Managing Director. From a solid business base Liz established Nicholsons Landscapes the following year, now a core part of the business.

While Liz and Niel are passionate about the business and would welcome their daughters joining the company, they also feel that they should be encouraged to do their own thing.

“Our eldest, Rosi, is studying international development, and is heavily involved in our outreach programme and tree nursery in Kenya,” said Liz. “Nicholsons is developing a relationship with the International