Meet the team

Meet the team

Teaser
Here at Location Landscapes, we're passionate about everything we do, our team are experts in soft landscaping and maintenance, from courtyard to the largest country estate. With more than 100 years’ experience between us, we like to think we know what we're doing!
Body
Charles Blumlein

Charles Blumlein

Founder and Managing Director

Charles studied Horticulture at Sparsholt and Merrist Wood Colleges and has gained many years of horticultural knowledge working in historical gardens, nurseries and landscapes companies over the past 30 years. Just over 10 years ago he saw a gap in the market for a personable, high quality, specialist soft landscaping and maintenance company and along with Sam and Tracey put together Location Landscapes. Charles has worked with leading garden designers on many RHS show gardens, including Chelsea and Hampton Court, has eight gold medals under his belt and is Vice Chairman of BALI (South Thames) (British Association of Landscape Industries).

Tracey Harding

Tracey Harding

Director

Tracey started in the landscape industry many years ago as an accounts manager. As the backbone of the business she is responsible for the accounts, HR, admin and all aspects of running the Location office. Tracey loves going on adventure trips now her children have flown the nest.

Sam Day

Sam Day

Director

Sam studied Horticulture at Merrist Wood College for 3 years and his love of plants steered him to soft landscaping and garden maintenance where he has worked on many interesting and large projects over the years. Sam has also many RHS show gardens under his belt and worked with Charles at both Chelsea and Hampton Court achieving six RHS gold medals to date. Sam lives in Guildford with his wife and two children and enjoys cycling and martial arts in his spare time.

Lorna McKechnie

Lorna McKechnie

Office Admin

Lorna joined Location Landscapes as an administrator, coming from a background in advertising, and for several years as an Office Manager in London. She moved to West Sussex to bring up her family as she has a great love of the South Downs. Lorna has two sons, enjoys her garden, walking her dog and playing the odd game of tennis.

Richard Ashcroft

Richard Ashcroft

Senior Team Leader

Richard has been with us since 2016 studied Horticulture at Merrist Wood, and since then has gained over 20 years’ experience in both hard and soft landscaping with various companies. Richard is drawn to the natural world, and this is reflected in his love of gardening. In his spare time Richard loves photography and painting, he is also a big rugby and cricket fan. He met his wife Louise at art college and they live with their two children in Midhurst.

Jon Harrington

Jon Harrington

Team Leader

Jon has been with us since 2014 although has been in horticulture since 1998 where he started as an apprentice with Hillier Nurseries. During Jon’s 15 years at Hillier’s he was part of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show team that won a gold medal for many consecutive years. All through Jon’s career he has had a love of gardens and plants, he especially enjoys maintenance jobs and making a garden shine at its best whatever the time of year. Jon lives with his wife and daughters and is also a huge fan of Doctor Who.

Chris Groves

Chris Groves

Team Leader

Chris joined Location Landscapes back in 2020 with lots of practical experience in garden design and maintenance. He loves gardening, being part of the team and is a stickler for detail which is perfect in this line of work. In his spare time Chris enjoys fishing, racing motorbikes and spending time with his family.

Dom Pannell

Dom Pannell

Team Leader

Dom joined us back in 2020 from a retail management position and has since studied horticulture at Sparsholt College. The change was seamless as he has always had a passion for beautiful gardens and making our surroundings more enjoyable. Dom loves spending time in his own garden, is coach for a youth football team, plus enjoys musicals, English heritage and antiques in his spare time.

Hannah Clyma

Hannah Clyma

Team Leader

Having graduated from university in film, Hannah soon realised gardening and the outdoors is where she is happiest. Hannah completed both the RHS level 2 and 3 in horticulture at Merrist Wood, widening her knowledge and has put what she learnt into practice in her role. In her free time Hannah enjoys walking the English countryside, listening to podcasts, film, reading and all things history!

Lewis Doel

Lewis Doel

Team Leader

Lewis joined Location Landscapes as he was keen to pursue an outdoor career and felt horticulture would be perfect. Lewis has experience working within the fitness industry and really enjoys the physical demands of soft landscaping. Lewis also enjoys Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the gym and fitness in his spare time.

Grace Evans

Grace Evans

Soft Landscaping and Maintenance Assistant

Grace started her career in the care industry however being creative she became an events coordinator and art teacher for a number of years. Grace has always been a keen gardener growing her own plants and vegetables therefore decided to pursue a career in horticulture. With a great love of the outdoors Grace enjoys walking and has completed the South Downs Way.

Tia Eddy

Tia Eddy

Trainee Team Leader

Tia’s love of the outdoors has driven her to join Location Landscapes to pursue a career in the horticultural industry, having previously worked in an office and managing her own business. In her spare time Tia enjoys cycling and long walks with her family and dog.

Damon Keep

Damon Keep

Soft Landscaping & Maintenance Assistant

Damon has a long history within the horticulture industry having worked in hard and soft landscaping as well as working for a wholesale garden nursery. Damon is also qualified in massage and sports injury massage which he continues to practice. In his spare time Damon loves cycling and socialising!

Mark Hellewell

Mark Hellewell

Machinery Engineer

Mark has recently semi-retired from the horticulture industry after more than 40 years. Mark spent the last 23 years of his career working for STIHL training technicians and we are delighted to have such a skilled technician to maintain and repair our horticulture machinery. Now Mark is semi-retired he enjoys spending more time at his sailing club and tinkering with his classic cars.

Mary Sellen

Mary Sellen

Soft Landscaping and Maintenance Assistant

Mary joined the Location Landscapes team after working with horses for several years. Mary fancied a change in career and horticulture ticks all the boxes as she loves working outdoors and being physically active. Her love of horses is evident as she spends much of her spare time with her own beloved horse Bella.

Mildred Harris

Mildred Harris

Soft Landscaping and Maintenance Apprentice

Mildred loves working in the outdoor environment and joined Location Landscapes as an apprentice studying horticulture at Sparsholt College. In her spare time Mildred enjoys cross-stitching and watching movies.

Alwyne Pelly

Alwyne Pelly

Soft Landscaping and Maintenance Assistant

Alwyne joined Location Landscapes in 2024. He was born in South Africa and having developed a keen interest in rugby, became a passionate supporter of the Springboks. He studied in Australia and obtained a degree in environmental science and consequently discovered a joy of being in the sea and surfing. Alwyne has a fondness for nature, the outdoors and enjoys travelling to new places.

Louise Robertson

Louise Robertson

Soft Landscaping and Maintenance Assistant

Louise has joined Location Landscapes after working for many years as an Interior Designer. She has always loved beautiful gardens and loves the idea of working outside with natures elements and within a great team. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis and cycling.

Megan Newton

Megan Newton

Soft Landscaping and Maintenance Apprentice

Megan joined Location Landscapes in 2024 as an apprentice, studying horticulture at Sparsholt College. In her spare time, she enjoys all kinds of outdoor sports ranging from mountain biking to paddle boarding.

Henry Piper

Henry Piper

Soft Landscaping and Maintenance Apprentice

Henry’s love of horticulture was ignited while working in a garden centre, he’s joined Location Landscapes at an apprentice studying horticulture at Sparsholt College. In his spare time Henry is an avid runner and runs with a running club.