Next up in our “BALI Chalk Fund at 50” series, Richard Gardiner, Trustee and owner of NAG Solutions shares a little of his memories from his landscape industry experiences over the years. Over to you, Richard!
What do you wish you knew when you started your career in the landscape sector?
I wish I’d been told to get qualified at the start. Having to then learn on the job without first having the qualifications cost me a lot of time and created a huge amount of insecurity – as well as a lack of confidence. Take up any training opportunities at your earliest opportunity to save a similar heartache!
What was the best piece of advice you received in your early days?
Difficult to pin it down to one specific gem, but I have benefited enormously from support and mentoring from some incredibly talented and generous peers over the years – I simply don’t think this would have been possible without the BALI network.
How has the fund developed over 50 years?
The BALI Chalk Fund has developed enormously over the past 15 years. The Trustees recognised the need to remain relevant to a rapidly changing industry, and that the level, depth and method of support needed to change appropriately – and the momentum we’ve started is really gaining pace this year.
This is just one in the latest series of “The BALI Chalk Fund at 50” series of mini-interviews.