Next year will mark the tenth anniversary for Graham Reynolds as an employee with Radian, whose career stemmed from an interest in horticulture and passion for the great outdoors.

After studying Forestry in Winchester for 2 years, Graham was unable to find employment directly in this field. However, through a friend, he was able to secure a number of positions working on building sites and private labouring, enabling him to remain in a physical role, working outside. Having previously spent some time working through an agency with Southampton City Council on the grounds maintenance side, Graham realised this is where he wanted to be, and decided he needed a change in employment.

During the summer of 2001, whilst flicking through a local newspaper, Graham came across an advert for a position working at Swaythling Housing in grounds maintenance. His determination and enthusiasm shone through and in July he was offered the position. Based in Eastleigh but working throughout Hampshire, Graham worked with his team to maintain open spaces and communal gardens for residents. His role had much variety, cutting and maintaining grass and hedges, preserving paths and driveways, carrying out tree works and care for plants and shrub beds, and general conserving of the grounds.

Due to the specialist nature of the job and the requirement to operate complex and hazardous equipment, Graham was encouraged by Swaythling to attend a number of training courses to continually develop his knowledge and experience, and refresh health and safety issues. Graham excelled in his role and thoroughly enjoyed the day-to-day tasks the job involved.

An opportunity as supervisor arose at the beginning of 2006, which Graham eagerly applied for and was successful. Although this meant becoming more office based, Graham saw the personal potential and knew it would be a positive and rewarding move forward. With his new position as supervisor, Graham was suddenly faced with more responsibility and assumed line manager responsibilities for around 7 people.

He continued to lead his team for about two years, when he was offered a secondment to Grounds Maintenance Manager. Speaking about his additional responsibilities Graham said, “As well as being in charge of budget, purchasing new equipment and liaising with internal and external clients, I’m responsible for around 15 people in Eastleigh and Petersfield, which includes providing help and support, plus carrying out appraisals and general personal management. I also oversee additional sub-contractors in Windsor, which means I do get out and about, visiting sites and ensuring everything is running smoothly.”

Looking back to when he first started work, Graham wouldn’t have believed anyone who said he would be sitting behind a desk as Grounds Maintenance Manager. Graham commented, “I do sometimes miss being outside all day every day, especially when the sun is shining, however, am very grateful for the fantastic opportunities I’ve had throughout my career.”

Graham admits he was very apprehensive about moving into a position of such responsibility which brought more personal and professional challenges, however has always had tremendous support from supervisors, managers and colleagues around him. Having almost completed 12 months as Grounds Maintenance Manager, Graham hopes this will become a permanent post in October of this year. Despite this being a highly positioned post, Graham hopes to continue to learn more skills and become involved in more business development and training.