The BALI Chalk Fund Top Student of the Year achievers have been announced. This year has seen entry numbers swell 140% as more colleges support their students’ applications. “The high standard of the efforts and entries has made those final deliberations by each college’s tutorship all the more difficult,” BALI stated.

This year’s winners are:

For achievement, professionalism and excellence in landscape and horticulture:

● Archie Matthews, Myerscough College
● Patricia Berakova, SRUC Oatridge College
● Alfie Grimes, Merrist Wood College
● Harry Bulmer, Merrist Wood College
● Kieran Byrne, Wiltshire College
● Adesola Oyeusi, ARU Writtle College
● Robbie Avey, KLC School of Design Westdean

Garden design:

● Mia Roberts, SRUC
● Chloë Webster, KLC School of Design Westdean

Each Student has been selected out of all their individual college student submissions by their tutors/learning providers. They will receive a certificate, £100 prize and entry into the National Student of the Year Awards, to be announced in September 2025. Many of the students have already received their award certificates in official presentations and others will do so as part of their college graduations.
Nick Coslett, former BALI chairperson, managing the process and applications with fellow trustee Sarah Seery, former head of horticulture and landscape at Capel Manor College, were impressed with the increased interest in the awards and the quality of the submissions.
“Shining a light on each of the college’s best students with this award recognition continues to be a great way to support and promote the wealth of potential we have in aspiring and developing landscapers, designers and horticulturists,” said Nick.
“Every feather in their landscape caps like these awards helps students stand out from the crowd, boosts their employability potential and is a well-deserved reward for ongoing hard work and commitment to their industry.”
Following in the footsteps of last year’s winners Charlie White (garden design) and Jacob Carter (landscaping), the selected national winners in each category will be presented with their Awards at the BALI National Landscape Awards Ceremony in London in December 2025.