The gardener, writer and broadcaster had a ‘teary moment’ when he discovered he was being awarded a CBE
After leaving school at 15 to work for the council as an apprentice gardener Alan Titchmarsh went on to present Gardeners’ World and became president of both
Plant Heritage and
Perennial charities. In recognition of his 60 year career the
RHS Victoria Medal of Honour recipient has been awarded a CBE for services to Horticulture and to Charity in the 2025 New Year Honours list. Though Alan says he is “thrilled to bits”, the news did come as a suprise. “I’ve been an MBE for 25 years, so I kind of thought that was...I’ve been very happy with that.”
A CBE also goes to Professor Linda Mary Field, an insect molecular biologist whose research is focused on understanding insecticide mode of action and resistance to find effective and sustainable crop protection methods.
Lloyd Grossman, best known for his career as a TV presenter and for his range of cooking sauces, becomes a knight for his work with
The Royal Parks. Under his leadership the organisation moved from a government body to a charity which oversees eight Royal Parks along with other green spaces in London.
RHS Chelsea icon awarded MBE
Mark Fane, Sue Biggs and Sarah Eberle celebrate Best Construction award at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015
Mark Fane, Crocus co-director, is recognised for his services to horticulture, including 12 years as chair of the board of trustees of the Garden Museum. Mark has a long association with RHS Chelsea Flower Show going back to 1997. Crocus has built 40 Gardens, winning 13 Best in Show awards – most recently for the Muscular Dystrophy UK Garden in 2024.
Florist and grower ‘Delighted’
Gill Hodgson, founder of Flowers from the Farm has been made an MBE for services to Floristry. Gill created the not-for-profit membership association which champions artisan growers of British cut flowers, in 2011. There are now 1000 member businesses across the UK. They have won RHS Gold at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and supplied flowers to Westminster Abbey for the coronation of King Charles III.
Gill said, “I am utterly delighted to be awarded an MBE in recognition for my work in raising the profile of British flowers and for encouraging so many more people to make a career out of growing them for market.”
RHS Chelsea Garden designer awarded MBE
Andrew Wilson has admitted to being ‘a little bit emotional’ at the honour which recognises his 40 year career in the industry. A lecturer, writer and RHS judge, Andrew is also a partner in Wilson McWilliam Studio and along with Gavin McWilliam he has designed award-winning gardens all over the world, most recently the Memoria & Green Acres Transcendence Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2023.
Also recognised
- Professor Rosemary Helen Collier is awarded an OBE for services to Horticultural Science and the Technologies of Pest Control.
- Susan Medway, Director and Curator, Chelsea Physic Garden receives an MBE for services to Horticulture and to Charity.
- Professor Gerard Samuel Saddler receives an OBE for services to Scottish Plant Health and to Biosecurity.
- Katherine Marsden, gardener at Sandringham has been awarded the Silver Royal Victorian Medal.
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