Sara is responsible for biosecurity across RHS Gardens, Reception, Retail, Shows and other activities, and leads a team of 6 plant health specialists
I work with my team and fellow RHS managers to ensure that we have the knowledge, skills, resources and support needed to deliver on RHS commitments – such as achieving Plant Healthy certification across all five RHS Gardens by 2025. I represent the RHS on several professional organisations and government stakeholder groups. These are invaluable in helping me to keep abreast of relevant changes to horticultural practice, legislation and processes, develop plans and ensure we provide the most appropriate guidance and advice.
“I’m passionate about the benefit of plants and gardens to people and wildlife and find my varied role at the RHS – supporting and enhancing the art, science and practice of gardening – challenging, satisfying and intellectually rewarding”
Healthy plants and good hygiene practices are vital for great gardens and happy, healthy people and wildlife. Our main focus, as the Biosecurity team, is to facilitate and support staff, students, contractors, suppliers and those involved in events to demonstrate biosecurity best practices and help to keep our plants, gardens and businesses safe. We work to identify and mitigate potential risks to plant health associated with the movement of plants and plant parts (such as cuttings, foliage, seeds and bark), people, goods and machinery. We do this through undertaking risk assessments, audits and inspections, surveillance and monitoring, delivering teaching and training, public engagement and providing advice for staff and members.
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.
