The RHS will begin recruitment for a new Director of Horticulture and Gardens as Tim Upson, Director of Gardens and Horticulture, prepares to step down after 12 years in the role.
As the charity’s longest serving Director of Horticulture, Upson has played a significant part in shaping the charity’s gardens and ensuring their plant collections for the future.
His tenure has included a period of significant capital investment; from the new Welcome and Hilltop buildings and landscapes at RHS Garden Wisley to once-in-a-career opportunity to lead on the creation of a fifth garden – RHS Garden Bridgewater that opened in 2021.
Upson has also been at the forefront of a vibrant RHS Plant Trials programme, expanded Partner Gardens offering, and knowledge exchange with industry via its Expert Plant Groups and Plant Society programme, while its bursary scheme has enabled hundreds of horticulturists to further their careers.
A graduate of RBG Kew and the University of Reading, Upson was Deputy Director at Cambridge University Botanic Garden before joining the RHS in 2014.
Upson plans to further his passion and enthusiasm for horticulture and botany with a little more time spent in his own garden, furthering his research on lavenders, including joining the forthcoming RHS Trials forum in 2027.
Tim Upson said: “I’ve always regarded it as a privilege to work for the RHS, particularly to guide and influence the development of the five RHS Gardens and am immensely proud of what the teams have achieved in creating some of the best and most exciting gardens, managed to the highest standards. The chance to bring a lens on horticulture across all RHS teams has been key for me, and involvement with RHS Shows always a seasonal highlight. Furthering our sustainability work to help tackle the current environmental challenges including climate change across the RHS and to influence industry has been an important part of my time at the RHS.”
RHS Director General Clare Matterson said: “Throughout his 12 years, Tim has made an immense contribution across many areas of the charity, most notably, through his leadership of the Horticulture team but also support for our Education and Communities work, sustainability strategy and critical advocacy for the horticultural industry as a whole. He will be missed but I know that through his continued engagement with the industry he will continue to champion the benefits of plants and gardens.”
There will be a transition period through to the end of the year to allow Upson’s successor to be recruited.
