Sam Isles - My Journey at Palmer Landscapes. 24 Years and Counting.

This year marks 24 years working at Palmer Landscapes, and looking back it has been an incredible journey from where I first started to where I am today.

I first joined Palmer Landscapes while studying at Shipley College on a day-release course, which allowed me to combine my college learning with real hands on experience in the landscaping industry.

On my very first day, I joined one of the maintenance crews and travelled to a Morrisons site in Jarrow. The work we were carrying out involved general grounds maintenance, including hand weeding and litter picking to keep the site clean and well presented. Although it was simple work, it taught me an important lesson early on that attention to detail and maintaining high standards are essential in everything we do.

Starting out in the maintenance team gave me a strong foundation in the industry. I learned the importance of teamwork, responsibility, and the role that regular maintenance plays in keeping outdoor spaces looking their best.

Over the past 24 years, Palmer Landscapes has given me many opportunities to develop my skills and gain experience across different areas of the business. I have worked in grounds maintenance, plant installations, planting small and large trees, turfing, and tree surgery, all of which have helped build my practical knowledge of landscaping.

Alongside this, I have also developed other skills within the company, including driving HGVs, running projects, and managing teams on site. Each step along the way has helped me gain a broader understanding of how landscaping projects are delivered and how different parts of the business work together.

More recently, I have taken on a new role as Operations Director, which is an exciting next step in my career. This role gives me the opportunity to develop further on the management side of the business and contribute to the wider growth of the company.

As part of this development, I am currently studying for a university degree at the University of Leeds, which is helping me strengthen my knowledge of business management and leadership.

What excites me most about this new stage in my career is gaining a broader understanding of business management and playing a key role in supporting the continued growth of Palmer Landscapes. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of a company that invests in its people and continues to grow and evolve.

Looking back to my first day carrying out maintenance work at Morrisons in Jarrow, it is amazing to see how far the journey has taken me. Palmer Landscapes has supported my development throughout my career, and I am proud to be part of a team that is passionate about delivering high-quality landscapes.