The Team
Matthew Childs MSGD
Matthew has always loved plants and gardens and decided to make this his career in 2007. He attained a professional diploma in garden design from KLC School of Design in London and the RHS level 2 Certificates in Horticulture with commendations. In 2012 Matthew achieved a gold medal award for his first RHS show garden ‘Light at the end of the tunnel’ and it has defined his approach to design ever since. The garden had a powerful narrative and atmosphere which touched emotions and Matthew strives to do this in all of his work. This garden was followed by three gold and ‘best in show’ gardens at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and two silver-gilt medals at RHS Chelsea.
Matthew lectures at design colleges, events and conferences both at home and abroad. He also writes for garden publications and has taken part in a number of broadcasting opportunities. Matthew is an RHS shows judge and is a Member of The Society of Garden Designers
Clare Shaw
Clare initially trained as a lawyer and had a successful career in the UK and Australia. She has always had a passion for landscape and plants and so retrained as a garden designer at KLC School of Design in London. She has a keen eye for detail and takes great care to fully understand what our clients need from their outdoor space. She relishes being involved collaboratively to create harmonious spaces which evolve through the seasons and respond to both the history of the site and the wider landscape.
Clare attained a Distinction from KLC School of Design and completed the RHS Level 2 diploma in Horticulture.
Joshua Millard
Josh originally studied Bespoke Tailoring and Design at University of the Arts London, followed by a successful career running his own brand for several years. He graduated from KLC School of Design with Distinction in 2023 and was awarded the Top Student Prize, alongside being nominated as a finalist for the coveted SGD Student Awards.
His love for nature stems from a farming childhood in Dorset and the romantic sensibility that a landscape evokes throughout the seasons. He combines naturalism, refined form and textural planting to create biodiverse gardens of quiet craft and longevity.
Laura Bushnell
Laura’s passion for the outdoors led her to retrain as a garden designer at the London College of Garden Design, where she graduated with Distinction and was awarded Top Student for her work. Drawing on her previous career as a chartered accountant, she brings a meticulous eye for detail and a structured approach to every project. Her final college design, a reimagining of a 16th-century farmstead in East Sussex, was shortlisted for the external judge’s prize.
A keen traveller, Laura loves exploring new places and cultures, and she brings this curiosity to her work by thoroughly researching the history and context of each site. She is passionate about making every garden deeply personal, with a strong sense of place that reflects both the landscape and the people who use it.