Northamptonshire consultancy celebrates 20th anniversary at stately home

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 17 October 2018

UPDATED: 17 October 2018

An environmental planning and forestry consultancy based in Northamptonshire hosted a drinks reception in October at an historic country house to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary.

Lockhart Garratt, who are one of the largest consultancies of its kind, have offices in Corby as well as in Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire. The company was granted use of Holdenby House in Northamptonshire to host the event which was attended by around 80 staff, clients and supporters.

After mingling with guests who were served drinks and canapes in the beautiful grounds of Holdenby, Lockhart Garratt’s chairman John Lockhart made a speech which included thanks to family, staff and clients as well as summarising how the industry has changed since the company was first set up in 1998.  He also talked about how Lockhart Garratt had grown and evolved over the last two decades, as well as challenges for the future.

“We were delighted to welcome so many familiar faces who have all made some form of contribution to Lockhart Garratt over the last 20 years - and to share such a happy celebration with them. The beauty of the setting and the unseasonably warm evening created the perfect ambience for a celebration,” John commented.

Lockhart Garratt was set up by John Lockhart and Graham Garratt in May 1998 following their move from local land agents, Samuel Rose. The client base followed John as he developed a reputation in the industry as a leading specialist in forestry and environmental land management.

Following its inception, the business grew quickly, earning a reputation for independent and innovative advice.   This ethos has guided the business and still remains at the heart of the company’s mission today.

Fast forward 20 years and the company now employs a team of 36 staff, 35% of whom have been with the company for 10 years or more. The team work in a range of associated disciplines including arboriculture, ecology, landscape architecture, forestry, woodland management, soil survey and land restoration.

“I feel privileged to have worked for so long in such an important industry and as part of an organisation that has made a significant contribution to maintaining the beauty and integrity of our natural environment,” comments John. “For many years we have been struggling to secure recognition to the real benefits of the natural environment to our health, well-being and economic performance.  The current focus on natural capital and increased understanding of the importance of these assets offers the prospect that they will now become a critical part of our rural property asset.  We look forward to supporting our clients to take advantage of this exciting opportunity.”

Since being set up in 1998, Lockhart Garratt has become one of England's leading independent forestry and environmental planning consultancies. The company provides expert advice relating to trees, ecology, woodland, forestry, landscape planning and design and green infrastructure.

Built in 1583, Holdenby House was once England’s largest and most magnificent house. Now owned by James and Karen Lowther, the house hosts a range of events from Formula One to battle re-enactments. It has also been used as film and TV location for series such as BBC’s Great Expectations.

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