Jake Golchin
Senior Horticulturalist / Plantsman
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About
Senior Horticulturalist / Plantsman with over 8 years' experience working across high-profile estates, design-led practices and private gardens. RHS Level 3 qualified with specialist pesticide certification (PA1/PA6/PA6W). Brings strong expertise in sustainable planting, propagation, and high-standard garden maintenance, underpinned by earlier commercial and procurement experience that adds structure, reliability and strong planning discipline.
Brings a strong understanding of planning, cost awareness and supplier coordination, gained earlier in career, which supports reliable delivery of complex horticultural projects.
Experience
Senior Horticulturalist (Contract) - J&S Landscapes
(2025-10)
- Delivered planting schemes and maintenance for high-end private gardens
- Executed planting designs to a high horticultural and aesthetic standard
- Undertook pruning, mulching, lawn care and bed preparation
- Operated and maintained a wide range of horticultural machinery
- Monitored plant health and applied treatments where required
Senior Horticulturalist - Tom Stuart-Smith Ltd
(2019-09 - 2025-10)
- Delivered complex planting schemes across varied environments, including Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court
- Propagated annual and perennial plants from seed
- Maintained gardens to exacting design and horticultural standards
- Worked independently and within skilled teams under time pressure
- Supported and mentored volunteers, including individuals with learning difficulties
- Carried out pruning, lawn maintenance, mulching and bed preparation
- Responsible for safe pesticide application (PA1 / PA6 / PA6W)
Horticulturalist - Hatfield House Estate
(2017-08 - 2019-09)
- Worked across a 400-acre estate, including 40 acres of formal gardens
- Designed and implemented planting schemes from concept to completion
- Maintained formal bedding, lawns, hedges and borders
- Propagated plants, lifted and divided perennials, and supported seasonal displays
- Worked closely with volunteers to maintain public-facing standards
Seasonal & Assistant Roles - Which? Magazine – Capel Manor
(2017 - 2017)
- Maintained trial beds and monitored plant performance
- Managed irrigation systems and crop health
Seasonal & Assistant Roles - Town Gardens – Cholmley Gardens, London
(2017 - 2017)
- Maintained private gardens, including pruning, planting and lawn care
- Grew plants from seed for commercial and ornamental use
Buyer - Aker Engineering & Technology, CB&I, MUSCL Ltd
(2008 - 2017)
- Managed supplier sourcing, tendering, negotiation and contract award
- Planned and coordinated complex work packages and delivery schedules
- Chaired meetings and managed documentation, cost and risk
- Commercial experience now applied to horticultural project planning and execution
Education
RHS Level 3 Certificates - Horticulture - Capel Manor (2017 - 2017)
BA (Hons) - Business & Computing - University of Hertfordshire
