Built on craft. Deep roots in horticulture.

Matt Smith MCIHort

Founder & Director

Matt's career in horticulture began almost by accident at eighteen, when a desire to work outdoors led him to a private country estate with six acres of formal gardens, glasshouses, kitchen and cut-flower gardens, wildflower meadows and a wider managed landscape. It was here that a fascination with plants, gardens and the craft of caring for them properly took hold.

After six years on the estate, Matt founded M T S Gardens at the age of twenty-four, initially providing garden maintenance and drawing heavily on the horticultural knowledge and standards he had developed during those formative years.

As the business grew, so did its capabilities. Today, Matt leads M T S Gardens across landscape construction, horticulture, mature tree planting, design and long-term garden care, working closely with clients, designers and the team to deliver increasingly ambitious landscapes.

To create gardens with the structure, craftsmanship and horticultural understanding to become better with age.

Arran

Construction Manager

Arran began his career in landscape construction shortly after leaving school, following his studies at Sparsholt College. From an early age he was entrusted with running projects and teams, developing an exceptional understanding of landscape construction alongside the organisational skills required to deliver complex gardens successfully.

With nearly twenty years' experience, including periods within the building and events industries, Arran brings a meticulous approach to every project. His attention to detail is uncompromising — things are built properly, corners aren't cut, and the same standard is expected whether a detail will ultimately be seen or hidden beneath the finished garden.

Having been part of M T S Gardens for more than six years, Arran now leads our landscape construction, overseeing projects and teams while ensuring the quality of workmanship remains consistent throughout.

A skilled craftsman himself, he particularly enjoys the more intricate aspects of landscape construction, with detailed natural stonework among his specialisms.

For Arran, the quality of a finished garden is determined just as much by what lies beneath it as by what can be seen.

Joe

Horticulture Manager

Joe joined M T S Gardens in 2019 while pursuing a career in horticulture following several years spent travelling. Since then, he has developed into the company's horticultural authority, combining an exceptional breadth of plant knowledge with an infectious curiosity for the natural world.

His particular interests lie in wild landscapes, rare plants and wildflowers. Away from work, Joe can often be found travelling across the UK in search of unusual species and remarkable landscapes — horticulture is as much a personal passion as it is a profession.

Joe approaches every garden with the long term in mind. His focus extends beyond how a garden looks today to how plants will establish, interact and thrive in the years ahead. He has a particular expertise in the creation and management of wildflower habitats and has undertaken specialist accreditation with Wildflower Co.

As Horticulture Manager, Joe oversees the care and development of our gardens while continually sharing his knowledge with the wider team, helping to raise horticultural understanding and standards throughout M T S Gardens.

For Joe, a garden is never static — it is a living landscape to be understood, nurtured and allowed to evolve.

Bryn

Soft Landscaping Manager

Bryn joined M T S Gardens in 2019 and has since worked across almost every area of the business, gaining experience within both our landscape construction and garden maintenance teams. Over time, he has become the natural link between the two — taking a garden from the completion of construction into planting and establishment.

Having delivered significant soft landscaping projects alongside Matt, Bryn has developed particular expertise in soil preparation, planting and the handling of large specimen trees. His specialist training includes the handling and planting of large trees, undertaken at one of Europe's leading tree nurseries.

Today, Bryn takes the reins as the construction phase draws to a close, ensuring the ground is properly prepared and that trees, hedging and planting are handled and installed with an understanding of what they need to thrive long after the team has left site.

He also specialises in irrigation, designing and installing systems that support newly planted landscapes through the critical establishment period.

Bryn's role is where construction becomes horticulture — turning a carefully built landscape into a living garden designed to establish, mature and endure.

Justin

Skilled Landscaper

With eighteen years' experience across landscape construction and the wider building industry, Justin brings a wealth of practical knowledge and craftsmanship to the M T S Gardens construction team.

He has a particular talent for intricate natural stonework and walling, combining traditional skills with the precision and attention to detail required for high-quality landscape construction.

Having been with M T S Gardens for four years, Justin regularly takes responsibility for running his own projects, overseeing work on site and ensuring each detail is delivered to the standards expected across the business.

A skilled and experienced craftsman, Justin's work reflects the care and precision that sit behind every M T S Gardens landscape.

Jack

Horticulturist

Jack began his career in horticulture after leaving school, completing his RHS Level 2 in Horticulture at Lackham College before developing his practical experience within the industry.

Since joining M T S Gardens over two years ago, he has quickly established himself as a key member of the horticultural team. Jack now takes responsibility for his own gardens, working closely with Joe to ensure they are cared for with the long-term health and development of the landscape in mind.

Alongside his maintenance work, Jack regularly supports our larger soft landscaping projects, giving him experience in taking gardens from initial planting through to their continued establishment and care.

Always looking to develop his knowledge and skills, Jack has a growing interest in garden and planting design — an area we are keen to nurture as his role within M T S Gardens continues to develop.

Jack combines a strong horticultural foundation with an ambition to keep learning.

Charlie

Assistant Landscaper

Charlie recently joined M T S Gardens with a clear ambition to develop a career in landscape construction. Despite being in the early stages of that journey, he has already demonstrated a strong practical understanding, growing skill and an exceptional willingness to learn.

Working closely alongside Arran and Justin, Charlie is developing his knowledge of landscape construction and craftsmanship while learning the standards and attention to detail expected across every M T S Gardens project.

His enthusiasm, curiosity and determination to continually improve make him an exciting addition to the construction team.

Charlie represents the next generation of M T S Gardens craftsmanship.

Alex

Horticulture & Soft Landscaping Assistant

Alex joined M T S Gardens to gain practical horticultural experience alongside his university studies and has quickly become a valuable and versatile member of the team.

Currently studying for a degree in Ecology, Alex works across both our horticulture and soft landscaping teams, supporting Bryn, Joe and Jack with planting, garden care and the establishment of new landscapes.

This hands-on experience provides a natural complement to his academic studies, connecting ecological theory with the realities of creating and caring for living landscapes.

Alex will continue to return to M T S Gardens during university holidays over the coming years, developing his practical horticultural knowledge alongside his degree.

For Alex, M T S Gardens provides the opportunity to bring ecology and horticulture together.

Jonny

Horticulture & Soft Landscaping Assistant

Jonny is one of the newest members of M T S Gardens, joining the team to support both our horticulture and soft landscaping divisions.

Working alongside Joe, Jack and Bryn, he is gaining hands-on experience across garden care, planting and the establishment of new landscapes, while developing a broader understanding of the horticultural principles behind the work.

Already a valuable and dependable member of the team, Jonny's varied role gives him the opportunity to learn from some of our most experienced horticulturists and landscapers while building his own practical knowledge and skills.

Jonny is developing his experience across the full journey of a garden — from planting and establishment through to its ongoing care.

Rosie

Office Manager

Rosie joined M T S Gardens three years ago as the business continued to grow, bringing additional organisation and support to both Matt and the wider team.

Working behind the scenes, Rosie helps keep the day-to-day operation of the business running smoothly — supporting the teams on site while managing administration, organisation and client communication.

As Matt's wife, Rosie also has a uniquely close understanding of the business and the standards it has been built around. She plays an important role in supporting its continued growth while helping ensure clients receive the same considered, personal service behind the scenes as they experience in their gardens.

Rosie helps hold the many moving parts of M T S Gardens together — supporting our clients, our teams and the continued growth of the business.