With more than 30 years of industry experience behind him, setting up a grounds maintenance company was a natural progression for Chris Notley and his fellow Co-Founders Matt Brookes and Vicky Poole. Business is blossoming for Ferns Landscape Maintenance Ltd hence the move to larger premises at Link Business Centre.
The company currently works with around 20 clients in approximately 200 individual sites across the UK. It’s a well-managed operation, with a client base that includes care homes, retail parks, residential and industrial estates. While grounds maintenance remains their core offer, additional services include biodiversity work, replanting and tree works.
The extended team covers a broad geographical area, stretching north to Doncaster, down to Weston-super-Mare, over to Cardiff and then east to Norwich. The company manages this through several different teams organised according to location and expertise.
Technology plays a key role in the efficiency of their operations. After each site visit, the team completes an electronic report containing photos and details of the work carried out. These reports are then sent to the client and stored in an online portal.
Chris is proud of the fact that the company has a genuine family atmosphere. He has previously worked with many members of the team and his partner is involved in the business. Meanwhile, he’s delighted with their new space and says ‘We’d outgrown our previous premises and are particularly happy with the level of security offered here. Being so close to the M5 makes it really convenient for many of our team members’
Following the tragic loss of their son Matthew when he was only 14, Chris and his family set up a memorial fund in his memory. All money raised is used to carry out cardiac screening for successive Year 11 groups at The Chase and Dyson Perrins Schools in Malvern. As the business grows, Chris hopes that he can increase financial support for the fund.
For further information see www.c-r-y.org.uk/matthew-notley
For further information about Ferns Landscapes see ferns-landscapes.co.uk