Westerleigh Group names Giles Palmer as head of grounds

Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent owner-operator of crematoria, has announced the appointment of Giles Palmer as head of grounds. 

Palmer has been onboarded to oversee presentation and management  of the group’s gardens across its 35 sites in England, Scotland and Wales. 

Palmer has a 22-year career in horticulture, starting in the industry after he finished his GCSEs – and up took a three-year apprenticeship as a trainee gardener with the National Trust. 

During his career he has also held posts at University College Falmouth, Chartwell House – the family home of Sir Winston Churchil – and Paignton Zoo Environmental Park.

He spent a total of more than 13 years with the National Trust, before leaving in February this year to join Westerleigh Group. 

He said: “Every gardener knows the therapeutic benefits of horticulture and its positive impact on wellbeing. With this job, every day, you witness families finding solace in our gardens and, in particular, trees.

“In a family’s greatest time of need, they often reach out to nature to find comfort, be it a conscious decision or otherwise. It’s very rewarding to be part of this process. I’ve been fortunate enough to hold some great roles in my career so far but this is the first time I’ve been responsible for gardens on a national level.”