Our Story
The Guild was established by former Royal Parks Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Parks, Michael Fitt OBE and his wife Barbara. It arose from an idea they had been thinking about for some time. It was formally launched at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show in 2006 with enthusiastic input and support from a group of former Royal Parks staff and Alan Titchmarsh as its Patron. The support of the Royal Parks along with Historic Royal Palaces was crucial in its creation and establishment.
We even published a book about the Royal Parks in World War One as part of the centenary.
Our Patron Alan Titchmarsh
CBE DL VMH HonFSE
Alan left school at 15 and became an apprentice gardener in the local nursery, followed by training at horticultural college and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. After a spell as Supervisor of Staff Training at Kew he became a horticultural journalist, before becoming a freelance broadcaster and writer. Alan has written almost 40 gardening books.
Alan Titchmarsh is a Freeman of the City of London. He was appointed MBE in the 2000 New Year Honours list, and a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Hampshire in 2001. In 2004 he was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s highest accolade – the Victoria Medal of Honour – for outstanding services to horticulture.
The VMH is held by no more than 63 recipients at any one time. He is a patron or president of more than 35 charities and organizations, as well as being the founder and trustee of Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardens for Schools, which makes grants to primary schools for gardens and nature areas.
Meet the Committee
Mike Fitt OBE
Chair
Mike was formerly Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Parks for The Royal Parks, who on his retirement set up The Royal Parks Guild. He is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners.
Ruth Lin Wong
Vice Chair
Ruth works for London Legacy Development Corporation as Head of Landscape and Public Realm at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. She is a Chartered Landscape Architect, Fellow of the Landscape Institute and involved with other environmental organisations.
Barbara Fitt
Secretary
Barbara has spent many years working in the City as the PA for several chairmen and directors in various city companies. In retirement she is now secretary of The Royal Parks Guild.
Jennifer Adams OBE LVO AHRHS
Treasurer
Jennifer was formerly Director of Open Spaces for the City of London. She has a long association with the Institute of Horticulture, The Royal Horticultural Society and London Parks & The London Green Spaces Forum.
Adam Stoter
Apprenticeships and Events
Adam is an assistant park manager at The Royal Parks. Adam started his career at The Royal Parks as an agency gardener working in St James’s Park for Enterprise. He went onto the apprenticeship in Hyde Park and was awarded apprentice of the year in his final year. On completing his apprenticeship, he secured a skilled gardener role in Hyde Park, then a job as Technical Officer at Greenwich Park.
Matt Higham
Park Champion Lead
Matthew trained as a Landscape Architect and previously worked in The Royal Parks as both client and contractor in Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and Brompton Cemetery. He is now Head of Landscape for the Crown Estate Paving Commission.
Andrew Warnes
Business Consultant and Policy Advisor
Andrew joined the board in 2023 after spending twelve years at the Royal Parks within the Royal Parks Constabulary as a Crime Analyst before moving on to work as a Risk Analyst with the Metropolitan Police. Spent 6 years on a major government infrastructure as a Land Access Officer and Security Consultant. Then 3 years as a Project Management Advisor helping to restart stalled projects and ensuring they are completed.
Richard Flenley
Research and Editorial - Park Champion
Richard is a Landscape Architect and formerly Chair of Land Use Consultants [LUC : Environmental Planning practice] and has worked as consultant to the Royal Parks since early 1980s.
Alison McAtamney
Apprentice Board Representative
Alison has worked in The Royal Parks for 33 years at Kensington Gardens, St James's Park and Hyde Park. Starting as an apprentice and progressing to Contract Supervisor. Alison has supported and mentored apprentices throughout her career and now continue to do so with The Royal Parks Guild. She also volunteers in her local gardens and my community.