SGD announce new chair
The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) has announced Lynne Marcus MSGD as its new chair, replacing Sarah Morgan MSGD who steps down from the role after her three-year tenure.
Lynne, who is a Registered Member of the Society, has been a Director on the SGD Council since February 2019, during which time she oversaw the running and development of the SGD Awards.
She took up her post on 7th September 2020 and will be supported by a new Vice Chair – Andrew Duff MSGD – the current SGD Council Member for Education, and the Garden Design Faculty Director & Managing Director at Inchbald School of Design.
Lynne enjoyed a previous career as a HR Director before becoming a garden designer in 1997 having trained under Professor David Stevens FSGD. Her work is recognisable for its innovative use of space, creative treatment of levels, strong, pared-down layout and sensitive integration of natural materials and planting.
She paid tribute to her predecessor, Sarah Morgan, who has been an energetic, wise and steadfast advocate for the Society: “We have greatly benefitted from her experience, which gave her the vision, authority and integrity to lead the Council and to streamline, strengthen and standardise our Membership adjudication process,” she said. In describing her vision for the SGD, Lynne pointed out that she wants the Society to be “outward facing, nationally inclusive and collaborative.”
Touching on Coronavirus and environmental issues Lynne points out that while the pandemic and environmental issues may seem overwhelming, the garden design profession is well positioned to make a positive environmental and social contribution while growing as a sector: “Over these difficult months, people have found solace and delight in their gardens. With many seeing home-working as part of a better work-life balance, gardens may well be prioritised for investment in the future,” she said.
(pictured above: one of Lynn’s designs)
“As garden designers, we can choose to design gardens that increase biodiversity, pollination, optimise water use and minimise the use of unsustainable materials and waste, but we need to do more to inform our clients and the market. We have a responsibility to do so,” she added.
During the pandemic the SGD has moved swiftly to support its members and held the first Digital-only SGD Conference in July. In addition, the annual SGD Awards Ceremony, traditionally held at the start of the year, was rescheduled to June 2021, to follow the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Next year the society will celebrate its 40th and plans to mark the occasion are underway and will be announced in the coming months.
We wish Lynne and Andrew every success in their new roles.
