Meet Our Team

At Crowders Nurseries, we believe that our staff are our most important asset. That is why you can always count on our friendly and helpful sales office team to fulfil your requirements.

Robert Crowder

Robert Crowder

Chairman and Chief Executive

Robert is the Chairman and Chief Executive of Crowders. He was brought up on the nursery and has been immersed in horticulture from childhood. He studied Horticulture at Hadlow College before starting full time with the business in 1977. He has represented the sector in many organisations and committees over the decades including being Chairman of the Joint Hardy Nursery Stock Committee (HTA/NFU), Chairman of the Agricultural Training Board Management Training Centre, Director and Treasurer of BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) and has also been a Council member of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), The Garden Centre Association (GCA), The Joint Council of Landscape Industries (JCLI) and The European Nurserystock Association (ENA). He is a member of The Worshipful Company of Gardeners.
His passion for the mountains and winter sports led to him becoming the Chairman of The Ski Club of Great Britain from 2012-2017. He also enjoys Mountain Biking, road cycling and hiking and has a love/hate relationship with golf.

Paul Thomas

Paul Thomas

Head of Production

Paul joined our team in April 2022 as our new Head of Production, bringing with him 25 years’ worth of experience. He began his career within the horticulture industry as a nursery foreman, he then progressed to Nursery Manager at an instant hedge growing company for 16 years.

Paul offers our nursery teams a wealth of plant-based knowledge and business experience that will enable further development and growth across our three nursery sites. He expresses his enjoyment of working within a team that share his passion for the horticulture industry.

Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his family and playing cricket, though he does admit her prefers watching the sport now.

Shona Rennison

Shona Rennison

Assistant Buyer

Shona.Rennison@crowders.co.uk

Shona joined Crowders in May 2019 with qualifications in Business, Finance, and Childcare. After having a career in childcare for 3 years she wished to expand her knowledge through a career change to horticulture at Crowders. Shona was originally employed as ‘Sales Administrator,’ a role she carried out for a year, before achieving an internal promotion. Within her new role as ‘Assistant Buyer’ she works closely with the supply chain while assisting with all matters concerning plant health.

When Shona is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends; she also enjoys spending her free time horse riding.

James Carter

James Carter

Commercial Director

James joined Crowders in early 2018 as Sales and Marketing Director. Three years on achieved promotion as the Commercial Director. He is responsible for company sales and marketing strategies focusing on all commercial activities including customer service, procurement, estimating, logistics and internal/external business development. The best aspects of James’s job are working with people, both within Crowders and externally, and his love of plants. James is an experienced horticulturalist and holds eleven horticultural qualifications. His interest in horticulture stems from his parents; he was encouraged by his dad to join a local garden centre at age 16. James is passionate about all aspects of horticulture; he also loves history, attending air shows and spending time on holiday with his family.

Kimberley Breckons

Kimberley Breckons

Head of Finance and HR

Accounts@crowders.co.uk

Kim has recently joined Crowders in June 2022 as Head of Finance and HR, bringing with her over 20 years of experience in accounts with over 10 years of running her own practice. Kim is a full fellow member of the AAT and is currently studying to gain her CIMA qualification to further cement her business knowledge and personal growth. Kim loves all things tech and is looking forward to what she can bring to Crowders, fully embracing the digital technology that is available.

In Kim’s free time, when she isn’t ferrying her youngest of 3 daughters to swimming competitions or looking after her Cats & Chickens, you can find her travelling and exploring, with her aim to visit as many different countries and cities as possible.

Jenny Hall

Jenny Hall

Head of Sales & Estimating

jenny.hall@crowders.co.uk

Jenny has been working at Crowders since 1999 when she joined the company having completed her school education. She started as an Office Junior and went on to gain NVQ’S in Business Administration Level 2 and Level 3, and Customer Service Level 2. This role enabled Jenny to gain a strong foundation and knowledge into the basics of the Horticultural Industry. Jenny progressed through the company, taking on new positions such as, managing the order status, account management, and even being the Supply Chain Coordinator for several years. Jenny now is the Head of Sales and Estimating.
When not at work she enjoys spending time with her family and also enjoys the occasional drink at the local pub!

Danny Green

Danny Green

Account Manager

danny.green@crowders.co.uk

Danny joined our team in June 2023 as an account manager.
He has been in the horticultural industry since leaving school at 16. Most recently he has been a Horticultural Manager for Dobbie’s Garden Centres where his enthusiasm for customer service grew.
Previously he worked as a Show Plant Manager where he sourced and contract grew plants for the worlds best flower shows such as Chelsea.
Outside of work he enjoys spending his time working on his cars and attending car shows and events.

Neil Rudkin

Neil Rudkin

Finance Director

Neil has been employed by Crowders since 1983, filling the role of Company Secretary since 2001, and Finance director since 2003. He is responsible for accounts, finance and wages and holds a BTEC National Certificate in Business & Finance and is AAT qualified. From starting out as a Trainee Accounts Assistant in 1983, he never expected to become a Finance Director, but is proud of what he has achieved, and extremely grateful for the opportunities he has been given. He enjoys working with the other staff at Crowders, which he describes as like an extended family.

He spends as much time as possible with family, with three daughters and a wonderful granddaughter. He is a lifelong supporter of Liverpool FC, going to games whenever the opportunity arises. He enjoys trying to keep fit through going to the gym, swimming, running, or just walking through the countryside, although admits his ageing body doesn’t always feel very fit!

Sarah Tuplin

Sarah Tuplin

Finance Assistant

Accounts@crowders.co.uk

Sarah joined Crowders in December 2022 as Finance Assistant having worked for the previous 20 years within a finance team for a charity that supports adults with learning disabilities. Crowders is a complete change of industry and business style for her, and she is thoroughly enjoying the challenge. Sarah has recently fought her fears and has gone back into the world of adult education and is now sitting her AAT exams for the first time.

In her spare time, she absolutely loves travelling, especially cruising. Holidays are her favourite thing to do, and her bucket list is forever growing. Sarah is married and has two grown up daughters, so her time is spent around them where possible. She also loves meeting up with friends in coffee shops for a cuppa and catch up.

Rob Goddard

Rob Goddard

Business Development Manager

Rob.Goddard@crowders.co.uk

Rob joined Crowders in July 2023 as Business Development Manager . He worked in the Health and Safety field previously and was awarded 3 national sales awards for sales and service. Prior to this Rob worked in the Airline industry and was presented with an Award for Excellence in 1990 .

Outside of work Rob enjoys running and raised over £4k for Addenbrookes Charitable trust with various 10K , Half Marathons and a full Marathon in Liverpool in 2019 , Rob loves Travel and the theatre and has an extensive love of music .

Sarah Curzon

Sarah Curzon

Senior Support Administrator

Sarah.Curzon@crowders.co.uk

Sarah joined Crowders with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Languages for Business and a distinction in Retail Banking Conduct of Business. Sarah’s main background is in languages, having previously worked in a law firm as a tri-lingual P.A and has lived and worked in Spain and Germany.  After re-locating back to the UK, Sarah joined HSBC as a Personal Banker but made the decision to leave after many years due to an extensive period of branch closures.  Fuelled by the desire to try something new, she joined Crowders in late 2017.  Her role as our Senior Support Administrator plays to her strengths of organisation and meticulous attention to detail and employs her customer service skills, honed over many years in the retail banking sector. She is responsible for all the administrative and clerical aspects of the sales office and offers support to the Directors and other departments when needed.

Outside of work she enjoys walking, the cinema, gigs, foreign travel, musical theatre and is a member of a local quiz team.

Simon Hawtin

Simon Hawtin

Operations Director

Simon joined Crowders in April 2022 as our new Operations Director. He joins our team with a wealth of knowledge and experience – accumulated through his previous roles in Operations, Project and Factory Management and Consultancy. Additionally, Simon has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration which provides him with impressive academic credibility to support his hands-on plant experience.

Simon is evidence of the rapid growth and success of Crowders as he is the company’s first Operations Director, overseeing all three nurseries and their workings.

Jason Todd

Jason Todd

Head Of Operations

Jason.Todd@crowders.co.uk

Jason started his career at Crowders in 2008 working out on the nursery. He achieved his horticultural qualifications and gained experience and knowledge which he now uses daily in his role as Head of Operations. His responsibilities include managing some of the key accounts and working closely with the supply chain and team to ensure customers get an efficient and high-quality service.

Away from work he enjoys travelling, watching sport especially Lincoln City (he’s a season ticket holder) and spending time with his family including his Springer Spaniel called Bella.

 

Lynsey Young

Lynsey Young

Account Manager

Lynsey.Young@crowders.co.uk

Lynsey joined Crowders in June 2021 – after completing a Foundation Degree in Fashion studies at London College of Fashion. Lynsey has a working background in retail from her time in New Zealand, however, after coming back to the UK she changed career and worked as an ‘Advertising Sales Executive’ at a publishing company.

Having grown up with keen gardening parents Lynsey has inherited the interest, so was a great opportunity to join Crowders and be involved in the horticulture industry and develop her skills and knowledge.

Outside of work, Lynsey enjoys 50’s Jive dancing and the Rock n Roll scene and is often at events and concerts across the UK.