Drive, Determination and Design Excellence
Winning the Student of the Year Award for Garden Design in 2024, Charlie White demonstrated not only the determination and drive that helps a young person step up and stand out amongst college peers, but also how they can raise their profile and career prospects on a national platform.
Charlie, a Student at Merrist Wood College, attained his Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Horticulture (with landscaping option) in 2024. Selected as the Student of the Year in his category from all the college Top Students nominated across the UK, Charlie was announced as Winner at the annual BALI National Landscape Awards that took place at Grosvenor House, London in December 2024.
National Recognition in the UK Landscape Industry
Speaking on his win and the difference the accolade is already making to his professional career path, Charlie said:
“I hope that by winning such a prestigious award at 18 years old, that industry professionals will recognise my passion and commitment for pursuing a career in Garden Design and it will help me to stand out when applying for future positions in this field. When I shared the news of my award with Garden Designers I met recently, they were impressed with my achievement, and encouraged me to keep in touch with them. I don’t think this would have happened had I not won the BALI Chalk Fund Award.”
The BALI National Landscape Awards are attended by around 1000 landscape industry professionals, with leading lights, stakeholders and key influencers from BALI members, design experts and their supply chain representatives. It is a fantastic opportunity to circulate and network with a broad spectrum of professionals from every level of these businesses; management to operative.
Charlie continues:
“It is difficult to pick what I enjoyed most from the overall event, however my highlights were meeting and being personally congratulated by industry professionals. Seeing their award winning gardens was really inspiring and has motivated me to work hard to achieve the same in the future. Finally, the pride I felt when I collected my award and seeing my garden design on the big screens at such a venue was amazing.”
Landscape College Support and Funding
Supporting Charlie’s award nomination, his Tutor in Horticulture and Landscape at Merrist Wood, Anna Eyres said:
“Charlie is the top student for garden design skills at college, but he is also an ambassador for the industry with a positive attitude. His attention to detail and his enthusiasm encourages others – he always puts in 100% effort.”
Each year, all UK land-based BALI member colleges are invited to select the top student from their landscape and horticulture courses. Each submission earns that student a £100 cash prize. In addition, the top students from each college are then entered into the National Student of the Year Awards with a Top Prize of £500 each for student and college.
Continuing to work with Outdoor Options as a Landscape Technician, Charlie hopes to take his career forward on the same trajectory, building on the Award success and his other achievements working on BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair Gardens in 2023 and 2024.