Throughout his medical career, Dr. Richard Claxton has looked to his garden as a means to unwind and manage stress, and to maintain his mental and physical wellbeing. A longstanding advocate of nature-based therapies for his patients, he launched an NHS Therapy Garden in Tonbridge, in 2023. He also founded the charity Gardening4health, which operates as both a network for those providing therapeutic horticulture, and as a hub for conferences, education and sharing of best practice.
As well as his GP work, Claxton has written for Gardens Illustrated and Hortus Journal, worked in Garden Design – specialising in gardens for healthcare settings – and been a volunteer guide at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, and a Trustee of Greenfingers Charity, which funds and builds gardens for Children’s Hospices.
Commenting on his appointment as the new Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme (NGS), Claxton said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be appointed as the new Chief Executive of the NGS. As a charity it’s the perfect fit for me: combining beautiful gardens and the wonderful generosity of their owners opening their private sanctuaries for us all to enjoy. As garden visitors, we join in with this generosity and together we all make a huge and valuable contribution to a range of brilliant causes across the country, with supporting nurses and improving healthcare at the forefront. The National Garden Scheme is a champion of the impact that gardens and gardening can have directly on people’s health, which is a cause very close to my heart.
“It’s a huge challenge and one I am looking forward to. I’m all too aware of the shoes I have to fill; for fifteen years George Plumptre has led the charity from strength to strength, raising its profile and the level of its donations to new heights – and maintaining its impact in spite of garden closures in the pandemic. I look forward to building on this incredible foundation. The National Garden Scheme’s work underpins the vital links between gardens, generosity, health, and community – all of which we need now more than ever. I couldn’t be prouder to contribute to this amazing charity.”
The charity also announced that Dame Mary Berry is stepping down as President of the charity, handing the reigns over to Alan Titchmarsh. National Garden Scheme Chairman, Rupert Tyler adds: “Filling these two vital roles at the National Garden Scheme was always going to be a huge challenge, but we couldn’t be more delighted to welcome Alan Titchmarsh and Richard Claxton. The Board of Trustees looks forward to them continuing to strengthen and build on the legacy established by their predecessors and, together with our fabulous garden owners, volunteers and staff, taking the charity confidently into its next 100 years.”
