The Royal Parks appoints new Head Gardener for landmark new garden in The Regent’s Park

Commenting on her new appointment, Fiona said: 

“I’m thrilled to be appointed Head Gardener for this remarkable project. It’s a rare opportunity to be part of a garden from the very first plantings through to maturity. This space will be a beacon for the future of horticulture, showing that we can create stunning, climate-resilient green spaces from former brownfield sites, while inspiring and educating visitors on how to build biodiversity into their own gardens.”

Nick Biddle, Park Manager, The Regent’s Park said: 

“We’re delighted to welcome Fiona as Head Gardener for the new garden in The Regent’s Park. Her breadth of experience, creative vision and passion for sustainable horticulture make her the ideal person to help bring this once-in-a-generation project to life. This garden will not only commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, but also demonstrate innovative approaches to gardening that meet the challenges of our changing climate.”

Fiona brings a wealth of experience from a diverse career in horticulture. Most recently, she worked at the historic gardens of the Middle Temple, where she honed her skills in maintaining heritage landscapes. Previously, she ran her own garden maintenance business in West Essex and East London, and her career has included placements at renowned gardens such as Great Dixter, Beth Chatto’s, Charleston House, and Gravetye Manor. Gravetye is the former home of influential 19th- century garden designer William Robinson, whose naturalistic planting style has inspired the design of the Regent’s Park new garden. 

She has also worked internationally, from Barbados to Sardinia. Growing up in one of the driest counties in England, Fiona developed a lifelong fascination with drought-resilient and Mediterranean planting, knowledge that will be invaluable in shaping the garden’s climate-adaptive design, where recycled demolition concrete will be transformed into innovative growing mediums.