
Ep.18 Backing the Next Generation: Why People Are Landscaping's Greatest Asset with Richard Gill from Origin Green-tech
In this episode of Dig Deep, recorded live at FutureScape, Rosie Sayers speaks with Richard Gill, Sales Director at Origian Green-tech, about how the landscaping industry has changed over two decades - and why its people are its greatest asset. Richard joined Origian Green-tech as a junior sales rep at 21 and, 22 years later, leads the sales team as director. That journey gives him a rare, ground-level view of how far the sector has come: from landscaping being the first thing value-engineered out of a project, to sustainability, biodiversity net gain and urban greening moving to the top of the agenda. The conversation turns to the challenge every business in the sector knows well - finding and keeping skilled people. Richard is refreshingly honest about Origian Green-tech's approach: take a chance on young people, train them up, and back the ones with common sense, drive and a bit of passion. It's a warm, practical case for investing in the next generation rather than waiting for the perfect hire to appear. He also reflects on why green infrastructure is spreading out of London and into cities across the UK, what BALI membership brings to a supplier, and the message he'd give any 16 or 17-year-old unsure of their next step: look at what you could build. It's an open, optimistic conversation about people, progress and pride in the landscape profession. In this episode: How Richard went from junior sales rep to Sales Director over 22 years at Origian Green-tech Why landscaping is no longer the first thing value-engineered out of a project The rise of sustainability, biodiversity net gain and urban greening Origian Green-tech's approach to recruitment - taking a chance on young people and training them up The traits Richard looks for: common sense, drive and people who genuinely care Why green infrastructure is spreading out of London into Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and beyond What Origian Green-tech gets out of BALI membership - and why "what you put in, you get out" Richard's message to government, and to the next generation of landscapers Key takeaways: The industry's biggest opportunity - and its biggest challenge - is people Training up young talent beats waiting for a ready-made skill set Landscaping's visibility is at an all-time high, but there's still work to do to get it recognised earlier Green infrastructure is going national, not just staying in London Attitude beats experience: common sense, drive and care go a long way Links & Resources Dig Deep Podcast: https://www.bali.org.uk/help-and-advice/dig-deep/ BALI: https://www.bali.org.uk/ Origian Green-tech: https://www.green-tech.co.uk/ GoLandscape: https://golandscape.co.uk/ STIHL UK: https://www.stihl.co.uk/ Episode Partners: GoLandscape — inspiring and supporting the next generation of landscaping professionals — https://golandscape.co.uk/ STIHL UK — trusted tools for landscaping professionals — https://www.stihl.co.uk/ Dig Deep is a BALI production, engineered and produced by Blunt & Brave, with music sourced from Artlist.
