Hi there. Firstly thank you so much for visiting my site. My name is David Ford and I am the holder of the Plant Heritage National Collection of Chaenomeles cultivars.

David graduated from Essex University in 1989 with a B.A. Hons. In Accounting, Finanace and Economics.  He had a successful career in The Rank Organisation (1989 – 2002) leaving as the Systems and Finance Executive of Leisure Services Agency Ltd. which, at that time, was the largest live entertainment booking agency in Europe.  He worked both as an employee and later as an external consultant.   

David completed the City and Guilds Gardening course in 1998 achieving a distinction in every module. He left Rank in order to live a more simple life as a gardener, maintaining and occasionally designing gardens.  David did so declining offers of Operations Directorships and key management positions across the world within The Rank Organisation.

The gardening business proved popular and successful and within a few months had a long waiting list of potential clients.  He ran this small business for a number of years. 

Subsequently David has undertaken some garden projects on a smaller scale particularly in public spaces, both maintaining and planting communal areas near his home in South London, the public courtyard garden at Jamyang Buddhist Centre in addition to working with his Residents’ Association in S. London for which he served as both Chairman and Secretary (1999 – 2012).

David did have an opportunity to exercise his finance, management and accounting skills as Trustee and Treasurer to The Courthouse Community Centre and Jamyang Buddhist Centre (2005 – 2007).   Whilst he served he undertook responsibility for all aspects of management and financial accounts, gift aid and auditing the activities of the companies to comply with Charities Commission standards.  As part of his voluntary work he also ‘rescued’, re-designed and maintained the membership database for the charity.

David has continued to offer support to Jamyang Buddhist Centre as a long standing course facilitator running courses in meditation and other subjects at the centre for the past 18 years.

Horticulture has always been a part of David’s life from his first cactus and succulent collection age 9 to his current Chaenomeles collection.  In addition to having served as Treasurer for the national charity David currently holds the position of Chair of the Surrey Group for Plant Heritage.

David has also been active within the R.H.S. serving on a number of plant forums and as a member of The Tender Ornamental Plant Committee from 2018.  He formally became a Vice Chair of the Committee in January 2019 with responsibility for all tender ornamental plant trials.  He has been a regular judge at Chelsea Flower Show for The Plant of the Year competition.

David currently lives in Old Coulsdon, Surrey with his husband David, Atticus a fluffy black cat and his beloved plants.