Charlie White was studying at Merrist Wood College in 2024. His tutor, Anna Eyres, nominated him for his “attention to detail and his enthusiasm encouraging others – he always puts in 100% effort.” A year on from his BALI Chalk Student of the Year Award win in 2024, we asked where his award win had taken him since.
It’s been a year since you won the BALI Chalk Student of the Year Award for your achievements so far in Garden Design – how did it feel to accept the award?
“Winning such a prestigious award at 18 years old felt amazing and confirmed that I wanted to pursue a career in Landscape Design.
The BALI Awards event itself was a fantastic day. My highlights were meeting and being personally congratulated and supported by many industry professionals. Seeing the award winning gardens was really inspiring too.The pride I felt when I collected my award and seeing my garden design on the big screens at an amazing venue is a memory I’ll never forget.”
Where has your landscape journey continued since winning the Award?
“I continued working with BALI Chalk Champion‘s Brian Herbert at Outdoor Options. Applying in the Spring for the Landscape Design 1 year diploma at the KLC School of Design, I was accepted and will start in January 2026.
During the Summer, I was approached to work on the RHS feature garden at the Hampton Court Flower Show, collaborating with Inspired Earth Design – this was another opportunity that I’ve thrown myself into and it was a great experience and team to be involved with.”
What’s next for you in 2026?
“Outside of continued study at KLC, I am expanding and managing my own private design and garden maintenance client base that I have established locally. Long term, I hope to work with a landscape design company and eventually own my own company.”
We wish Charlie all the best of luck in his developing landscape design career and hope that his award win continues to open up new avenues and connections for his ongoing personal development.
The BALI Chalk Fund, through the ongoing support of its Champions and donations, continues to raise the profile of these budding landscape specialists through the Student of the Year Awards and the enrichment training programmes available to all land-based and horticultural students across the UK.