Bringing a wealth of horticultural experience from his 9 years at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Robert Brett will now oversee the team at RHS Garden Wisley – starting in March 2025.
At RHS Hyde Hall, Brett oversaw the strategic development and management of the 365-acre garden, leading a team of 30 and co-managing a £2.6 million budget. According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), Hyde Hall garden visitor numbers nearly doubled under his tenure, becoming the largest visitor attraction garden in the East of England.
Holding an MSc in Environmental and Development Education alongside professional horticultural qualifications from RBG Kew and the Welsh College of Horticulture, Brett’s previous roles include Horticultural Manager at The Sainsbury Laboratory – University of Cambridge, Curator of Temperate Collections at The Eden Project, Glasshouses Supervisor at Cambridge University Botanic Garden and managing the orchid collections at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He has been a trustee of Plant Network, continues to be President of The Kew Guild and works as an External Examiner for Cambridge Botanic Garden.
Owned by the RHS since 1902 and the first RHS garden, RHS Garden Wisley employs more than 100 horticultural staff, students and apprentices, and further supported by 145 volunteers. The garden has expanded over the years to its current size of 240 acres.
“I’m both excited and honoured to take on the role of Curator at RHS Garden Wisley. It marks the beginning of an exciting new journey, that fills me with enthusiasm. Importantly, this transition allows me to remain within the RHS, surrounded by exceptional plants and talented people. I continue to be part of the RHS’ network of gardens, where we have the privilege of driving innovation, influencing the future of horticulture and showcasing the very best our industry has to offer. I look forward with great excitement to playing my part in helping RHS Wisley to flourish,” said Brett.
Clare Matterson, Director General of the Royal Horticultural Society: “At the RHS we pride ourselves on nurturing and developing horticultural talent and I’m so pleased that after an extensive search from potential candidates across the UK, Europe and North America Rob stood out as the best person for the role. His passion for horticulture, exceptional experience and his true talent for leading people will be incredibly beneficial to this amazing role and very special garden. The Curator at Wisley has ultimate responsibility for caring for this historic and beautiful garden, as well as nurturing our talented gardeners, informing our understanding of the science, art and practice of horticulture whilst adapting to new knowledge, the changing environment and inspiring all those who visit to grow.”