Following from the success of its 2018 National Landscape Awards, the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) has appointed a new Chairman of the Adjudication Panel. The news that Greg Allen is stepping down after seven years was announced at the December awards ceremony. Former commercial director of multi-award-winning Willerby Landscapes, and member of the current judging panel, John Melmoe takes his place.
BALI Chief Executive Wayne Grills bestowed a special ‘thank you’ upon the former BALI Vetting Officer. Greg has helped BALI judge hundreds of landscaping schemes during the past decade. His experience, professionalism and commitment to helping shape the awards into what they are today will be missed by BALI and by the association’s panel of industry experts.
As Greg departs, BALI extends a very warm welcome to John Melmoe, who has worked for, and alongside, the association for many years; both as an awards adjudicator and during his long tenure as managing director of BALI registered contractor, Willerby Landscapes.
John attended Merrist Wood Horticultural College in 1976 to study landscape management before joining Comtec (UK) Ltd as contracts manager. Having worked across the globe overseeing erosion control projects with Comtec, John and some former colleagues then established Willerby Landscapes Ltd in 1984. Joining BALI in 2000, the company went on to win six Grand Awards and several Principal Awards; such is the quality of the schemes it delivers.
Commenting on his new role, John says, “It is a real pleasure to accept the role of Chair of the Adjudication Panel for such a prestigious industry Awards scheme. As a director of Willerbys for over 30 years I understand what it takes for a company to win the coveted Grand Award”.
John is looking forward to continuing his work with BALI’s Landscape House team alongside his new role as leader of the adjudication panel. He hopes to continue to “raise standards in the UK landscape industry so that it remains the envy of the world”.
Wayne Grills has expressed his delight at John Melmoe agreeing to take on the responsibilities of Chairman of the Adjudication Panel for the awards.
“The wealth of talent incorporated within the [adjudication panel] group is impressive, and having John at the helm ensures the BALI awards maintain their unrivalled reputation for rewarding landscaping excellence.
“BALI is fortunate that it is supported by a large proportion of the UK’s most senior landscaping professionals, with centuries of combined experience in delivering world class hard and soft landscaping schemes that help champion our sector to the rest of the world”.
BALI’s Landscape House team delivered this year’s awards, attended by more than 1,000 members, guests and VIPs.