The Worshipful Company of Gardeners

What The Worshipful Company of Gardeners does

The Worshipful Company of Gardeners is one of the historic Livery Companies of the City of London, first recorded in City Corporation records in 1345 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1605. It is a modern continuation of the medieval craft guilds that originally governed the practice of gardening, and today operates as a membership-based organisation promoting contemporary horticulture across all its forms, convening the industry, and supporting horticultural education, charitable activities, and environmental causes. The Company ranks 66th in the order of precedence of City of London Livery Companies and is capped by the Court of Aldermen at 330 Liverymen, with Freemen unlimited.

The Company runs a tiered membership programme (Freeman, Liveryman, Young Gardener, Overseas Affiliate, Temporary Member) funded by annual subscriptions known as Quarterage, paid on 1 July by direct debit, supplemented by member donations to its associated Charitable Incorporated Organisation (The Worshipful Company of Gardeners of London Charity, registered number 1198790). Members gain access to lectures, garden visits, formal dinners in Livery Halls and Mansion House, awards programmes (including the King's Trophy and Prince Edward Award), the quarterly magazine The Spade, and engagement with charitable and educational initiatives. There is no proprietary technology stack; revenue and headcount are not publicly disclosed.

Beyond its core membership activity, the Company operates and supports a portfolio of charitable and educational programmes: the Future Gardeners/PathWays pre-apprenticeship training programme (now an independent charity, number 1191623) under which over 80% of graduates further their careers; a Schools Outreach programme introducing 70+ horticulture careers to school pupils; the Flowers in the City campaign running since 1949; the Pollinating London Together (PLT) initiative co-founded in February 2020; the Green City Briefings webinar series running since 2021; and a Student Awards programme across Capel Manor College, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, RHS Wisley, Writtle University College, the Royal Parks, and City and Guilds. Strategic partners include the City of London Corporation, Bankside Open Spaces Trust, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, AIPH, Nuffield Foundation, and a network of horticultural colleges and Royal Parks bodies. The Company's administrative office is in St Neots, Cambridgeshire.

Name

The Worshipful Company of Gardeners

Legal name

The Worshipful Company of Gardeners

Website

https://gardenerscompany.org.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Worshipful Company of Gardeners is a City of London Livery Company (Royal Charter 1605, capped at 330 Liverymen) that promotes contemporary horticulture through membership subscriptions, charitable giving, education and training programmes, awards, and civic engagement with the City of London.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Livery Company Membership Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Landscape, Turf & Groundskeeping Trades (EDAOAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Seasonal Color, Planting & Horticultural Services (BPABADAL), Greenhouse, Nursery & Horticulture Labor Staffing (AFACAHAI)

Keywords

• Horticulture membership
• Livery company services
• Horticultural awards
• Garden city initiatives
• Horticulture education

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions (Quarterage): The Company generates revenue through annual membership subscriptions paid by Freemen, Liverymen, Young Gardeners, Overseas Affiliates, and Temporary Members. Subscriptions are paid annually on 1 July by direct debit. Pro-rata payments apply for members joining part-way through the year.
2. Charitable Activities and Grants: The Company supports charitable activities through its associated charity, The Worshipful Company of Gardeners of London Charity (registered charity number 1198790). The Charity is funded by members' donations and distributes grants to horticultural and environmental causes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Worshipful Company of Gardeners operates as a City of London Livery Company providing tiered membership (Freemen, Liverymen up to 330, Young Gardeners, Overseas Affiliates, Temporary Members) with annual subscriptions. It delivers horticultural education through the Future Gardeners/PathWays training programme, makes charitable grants via its affiliated WCOG of London Charity (registered charity 1198790), runs recognition programmes including the King's Trophy, Prince Edward Award, and Student Awards, and convenes industry events such as the Flowers in the City campaign and Green City Briefings webinars.

Product overview

The Worshipful Company of Gardeners is a historic livery company (est. 1345) offering membership programmes at multiple levels (Freemen, Liverymen, Young Gardeners, Overseas Affiliates). The organisation's core products and services centre on horticultural education and training through its Future Gardeners/PathWays programme, charitable activities via the WCOG of London Charity, and awards programmes including the King's Trophy, Prince Edward Award, and Student Awards. Additional offerings include the Flowers in the City campaign, Green City Briefings webinar series, Schools Outreach educational programme, Pollinating London Together environmental initiative, and The Spade members' magazine. The organisation operates as a membership-based charitable entity rather than a commercial product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Future Gardeners: Horticultural training programme helping individuals from challenging backgrounds acquire skills and certification for careers in horticulture, now operating as PathWays
• PathWays
• Schools Outreach
• Pollinating London Together (PLT)
• The Spade

Products and services

• Membership Programme A tiered individual membership subscription programme for people connected to horticulture. Categories include Liveryman (senior tier, capped at 330), Freeman (entry-level), Young Gardener (under 40 with five years' horticulture experience), Overseas Affiliate (for members abroad), and Temporary Member (year-long trial). Members receive access to lectures, garden visits, formal dinners, charitable activities, networking events, and governance participation.
• Future Gardeners / PathWays Training Programme A pre-apprenticeship training programme providing basic horticultural skills, demonstrations, garden visits and expert talks to individuals from Southwark and surrounding boroughs seeking careers in horticulture. Participants work toward City and Guilds qualifications, with over 80% of graduates progressing to apprenticeships, further training, or employment in the sector.
• Schools Outreach Programme An educational outreach programme delivering school presentations and educational outings to introduce primary and secondary pupils to the 60-plus career opportunities in horticulture. Activities are delivered in partnership with industry professionals and college graduates and include the annual Livery Schools Link Careers Showcase at Guildhall.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80% of Future Gardeners programme graduates further their careers in horticulture
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Livery Climate Action Group (LCAG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021The Worshipful Company of Gardeners is a Founder Member of LCAG, formed in 2021 to assist City of London Livery Companies to manage climate change impact by reducing carbon emissions. The Company has contributed to the website, awareness raising, guidance notes on greenspaces, events, and recruitment of members.
• Pollinating London Together (PLT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2020The Gardeners Company is one of two Founder members of this initiative formed in February 2020. PLT's mission is to create spaces in central London where all natural pollinators can thrive. PLT received grants from City of London Corporation (£230k + £270k) and works with universities including Reading, RBG Edinburgh, RBG Kew, Northumbria University, Royal Holloway, RHS, QMUL, and Imperial College.
• Future Gardeners (now PathWays)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA programme run jointly with the Bankside Open Spaces Trust, giving opportunity for those wanting a career in Horticulture but lacking necessary skills. Future Gardeners has now become a separate charity (number 1191623) but the Company maintains close links. The programme began in 2015 and enables students to acquire basic horticultural skills through training schemes, demonstrations, garden visits and expert talks.
• City of London CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Company has close ties with the City of London Corporation, which supports various initiatives including Flowers in the City. City of London Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund provided grants to PLT (£230k and £270k). The Corporation also supports the Green City Briefings.
• Metropolitan Public Gardens AssociationsupportingOthersA long-established charity striving to preserve and improve gardens, neglected sites and green open spaces across London. The Company has close links with this association, which is looking for a Grants Officer voluntary position.
• London Children's Flower SocietysupportingOthersChaired by Senior Past Master Nick Evans, this society runs three garden-based competitions a year mostly in primary schools, promoting horticulture among young people.
• London Gardens SocietysupportingOthersPartner organisation for garden preservation and improvement in London, collaborating on initiatives like Flowers in the City.
• Bankside Open Spaces TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operator with the Company of the Future Gardeners programme, providing horticultural training opportunities for those wanting to enter the sector.
• Commonwealth War Graves CommissionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2019, the Company and CWGC launched a joint UK Award for Horticultural Innovation, awarded annually to a CWGC staff member. CWGC employs over 850 gardeners worldwide maintaining graves at 23,000 locations in 150 countries.
• International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Company collaborates with AIPH on Green City Briefings, a series of webinars exploring urban greening and horticultural innovation. Multiple series have been produced since 2021, with Company involvement in developing content and hosting events.
• Royal Botanic Gardens, KewsupportingOthersPartner in Pollinating London Together and recipient of student awards from the Company. Provides educational opportunities and collaborates on pollinator research.
• University of ReadingsupportingOthersPLT has built a partnership with University of Reading employing pollinator ecologists and mapping experts, as well as developing a memorandum of agreement including the initial teacher education department.
• Nuffield FoundationsupportingOthersThe Company engages with the Nuffield Foundation to encourage applicants from all areas of horticulture to apply for a two-year Nuffield Scholarship worth over £20,000, funded by both the Company and the Foundation.
• Royal Parks GuildsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Company is developing Trade Apprenticeships in conjunction with the Royal Parks Guild and other specialist employers. Candidates are supported in one, two or three year training programmes progressing careers in horticulture.
• City and GuildssupportingOthersCity and Guilds provides matched funding to establish and support apprenticeships in horticulture. Most Future Gardeners graduates receive a City and Guilds qualification in horticulture.
• Capel Manor CollegesupportingOthersLondon's only specialist environmental college and key partner in the capital's green agenda. Recipient of Company student awards.
• RHS WisleysupportingOthersRoyal Horticultural Society garden receiving Company student awards. Partner in various horticulture education initiatives.
• Writtle University CollegesupportingOthersHigher education institution offering horticulture courses, recipient of Company student awards.
• Royal ParkssupportingOthersRecipient of Company awards for apprentices and students. Partner in horticulture training and education.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Capel Manor College: London's only specialist environmental college and a recipient of the Company's Student Awards. An education partner rather than direct peer, but comparable as a London-based horticultural training provider that the Company's workforce development agenda depends on.
• Bankside Open Spaces Trust: London environmental charity that co-runs the Future Gardeners/PathWays programme with the Company since 2015. Adjacent partner rather than direct peer, but materially comparable in operating horticultural training programmes in Southwark.
• Garden Museum: The UK's only museum dedicated to the art, history, and design of gardens, located in Lambeth, London. Adjacent peer — a horticulture-themed London cultural institution that the Company engages with at events, sharing audience overlap in garden history and heritage.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Horticultural Society: The UK's leading gardening charity, with 600k+ members, multiple show gardens (Wisley, Harlow Carr, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor, Bridgewater), and the flagship Chelsea Flower Show. Comparable as a horticultural membership/charity, but vastly larger in scale and operating UK-wide rather than concentrated in the City of London.
• Horticultural Trades Association: The UK trade body representing garden retailers, growers, landscapers, and suppliers. The Company participates in HTA's 'Horticulture, The Conference' event. Comparable as a horticultural industry association, but commercially oriented toward trade members rather than individuals.

Direct peers

• London Gardens Society: A London-based partner organisation for garden preservation and improvement, collaborating with the Gardeners Company on initiatives such as Flowers in the City. Comparable as a London-focused horticulture and gardens charity.
• International Association of Horticultural Producers: The global trade association for ornamental horticulture producers, organising annual congresses and Spring Meetings. The Company is an active collaborator on Green City Briefings and attends AIPH Spring Meetings. Comparable as a horticulture-focused membership body with a convening/advocacy role.
• Chartered Institute of Horticulture: The Royal Chartered professional body for horticulture in the UK and Ireland, providing individual membership categories (Student, Member, Fellow), regional branches, and the annual James Bruce Memorial Lecture. Most directly comparable as a horticultural membership organisation serving professionals, enthusiasts, and students.
• Metropolitan Public Gardens Association: A long-established London charity striving to preserve and improve gardens, neglected sites and green open spaces across London. The Company maintains close links and supports the association. Directly comparable as a London horticulture charity.
• Perennial: The UK's only charity dedicated to helping people in horticulture — the Company partners with Perennial on 'Dig Deep for Perennial' fundraising lunches. Comparable as a horticultural cause-focused charity, though Perennial focuses on welfare support for industry people rather than education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/gardenliveryco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-worshipful-company-of-gardeners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Worshipful Company of Gardeners