Edward Harland-smith

A highly motivated and reliable 27-year-old grounds and landscaping professional with over four years' experience at Canvin's Group, specialising in grounds maintenance, soft and hard landscaping, and estate upkeep. During this time, I have developed a broad skill set alongside achieving multiple trade-related qualifications, giving me the practical knowledge, confidence, and attention to detail required to maintain high-quality outdoor environments. Coming from a background with early exposure to the trades through my father's carpentry business, I have always been comfortable working hands-on and taking pride in physical, practical work.

I combine this with a strong work ethic, sound judgement, and the ability to organise tasks efficiently to ensure sites are maintained to a consistently high standard. I am experienced in working safely, maintaining equipment, and adapting to seasonal and day-to-day demands. I am a straightforward, dependable individual with a positive and professional attitude, and I work well both independently and as part of a team.

I take pride in creating well-maintained, welcoming spaces and understand the importance of presentation, reliability, and discretion when working within large estates, sports grounds and community areas. With a natural ability to lead by example and support colleagues.

Lead Groundsman - St Georges School Ascot - Ascot

(2026-03 - 2026-07)

As Lead Groundsman, I was responsible for the day-to-day management and presentation of the school's grounds and sports facilities, leading the Grounds Gardener while overseeing the wider estate. I carried out ground maintenance, operated a range of machinery, coordinated contractors, maintained safe and playable sports areas, and ensured high standards of health & safety and site presentation were consistently achieved. During my Employment I gained a City & Guilds PA1 spraying qualification, a competency certificate in operating John Deere tractors, all relevant safeguarding and H&S training lessons on Tes Development, and an Enhanced DBS Certificate.

My employment ended during probation, and I am now seeking a new opportunity where I can build on my experience and continue to develop professionally. I would welcome a conversation around this if I progress further into the recruitment process.

Ground Maintenance Team Leader - Canvins Group

(2021-01 - 2026-01)

50-60 hour week full time employment ranging from working alongside Tree Surgeons on the ground and to litter picking housing estates. The variety in this position was huge, given the vast amount of contracts we have had over the last 4 years. As a team and individually, we maintain and operate various types of machinery – two of my notable favourites being the John Deere 1580 out-front flail mower and the Mean Green Rival 52 electric zero turn mower.

Various jobs would have me delegating tasks to my team through the day all while making sure the site is safe and secure, as well as work being kept to a good standard as the tasks at hand progress through the day. This will be done through various sites on a daily basis. Tools and equipment would have performance maintenance checks throughout the days and before jobs to ensure everything runs smoothly and the tasks can be completed to the fullest potential.

Making sure all materials and plants are ordered with the required amount before starting a job, as well as mapping out where the plants are to be placed, and organising the correct tools to fulfil this task. Drawing up an accurate plan, as well as prepping areas for said plants.

• Contracted ground maintenance job at a care home in Virginia Waters making sure all species of plant were pruned back at the right time and the formal lawns were kept to the correct height
• Grounds Maintenance job in Waterlooville Portsmouth mowing a community green and keeping the whole Taylor Wimpy housing estate presentable
• Landscaping job at a new Rolls Royce factory currently in development where we were creating a woodland digging holes with excavators and safely lifting £6000 trees in and anchoring them in the ground
• Recently First-Aid trained covering wounds, burns, CPR, bandages, recovery position, and how to operate a defibrillator effectively

Team Leader - The Co-op Food Store (Borough Green) - Borough Green

(2019-01 - 2021-01)

Through a keen and eager interest in personal development, and recognition of my work ethic I was put forward for and secured an internal promotion to team leader.

• Coaching & giving feedback to new staff to boost morale and unlock their full potential within their current roles
• Managing and analysing Key Performance indicators within departments to measure and improve productivity
• Having a depth of understanding of the business's brand and values so I can demonstrate to customers and new employees what The Co-op is about
• Modifying my style of communication, when dealing with customers or members of staff to resolve conflicts and disputes
• Prioritisation and task management is something I have taken a professional approach too due to the amount of stock movement within my store
• Marketing Point of sale for new products, improved products, and deals
• Dealing with contractors coming in and out of the store
• Having a vast knowledge of Health & Safety regulations within the business

Customer Service Assistant - The Co-op Food Store (Borough Green) - Borough Green

(2018-01 - 2019-01)

This role is very customer facing based as you are the go-to person for any shopper.

• Cash handling at tills, making sure the customer leaves with a smile on their face
• Giving customers a warm welcome when they come into the shop
• Regularly resolved customer queries to meet customer satisfaction
• Assisted the team leaders on checkouts with running and supervising staff on tills
• Ensured the shop floor was kept clean and tidy
• Replenished shelves, rotating sock to date order
• Assisted the Commercial Manager with ticketing price up's & price down's

Multiple Shift Operator - The Co-op Food Store (Borough Green) - Borough Green

(2018-01 - 2021-01)

40-45 hour a week fulltime employment, often exclusively responsible for the smooth operation of a food supermarket; morning, day, and night shifts.

Electrical Improver/Apprentice - SBE Kent LTD - London and South East Kent

(2017-01 - 2018-01)

This placement was a fulltime apprenticeship. After circumstance interfered, I could no longer afford to live on apprenticeship wage, resulting in my move to the coop. From doing this apprenticeship for a year I have a large amount of knowledge of cable pulls from pulling in 70mm 4 core armoured cables on a 100m run on site allowed me to really see the method of it all during this pull teamwork was essential and clear and concise communications where needed.

Furthermore, I have worked on several sites all around London and south east of Kent whether it was a domestic job or a commercial job I was always punctual keen and ready to learn something new.

• 1st fix 2nd fix using tools- I have been required to put up cable containment which was tray on the ceiling for jobs which allowed the separation of power, data, and coaxial tv cables this allowed the management of cables easier and it looked aesthetically pleasing once cable ties were done up
• Working in offices installing ceiling tile lights reading plans / blueprints really allowed me to see a job from start to finish and understand how to work methodically with a team
• Coordinating with customers in office buildings when there are people working making sure we are maintaining Health & Safety regulations and keeping them safe while the work is carried out
• Prior to work being carried out a work-based risk assessment would have to be carried out as well as a hot works permit
• Following instructions, timekeeping, purchasing materials from wholesalers these where all everyday aspects of the job for me
• I have great experience with rodding with cables to find new and improved routes as well as using rope to help pull cables through
• I have experience from working from height for example at Kent Science Park for a Pharmaceutical company I was using a scissor lift in a laboratory to change light bulbs whilst adhering to safety regulations

GCSE - General Education - Hugh Christie Secondary School

Coop Management Qualification level 3 Retail Leadership - Retail Leadership - The Co-op