Rising star wins Pro Landscaper 30 under 30 initiative

Sophie Childs, Ground Control Relationship Manager, is a winner of the Pro Landscaper 30 under 30: The Next Generation 2021

Sophie Childs, Ground Control Relationship Manager, is a winner of the Pro Landscaper 30 under 30: The Next Generation 2021, sponsored by Green-tech.

This pioneering group represents the industry’s search for the most impressive young people in landscaping, shining a spotlight on potential industry leaders of the future.

Sophie has worked for Ground Control for over seven years, joining shortly after graduating from university with a degree in Environmental Science, to pursue her interests in working for a company that cares for the environment.

Having shown great potential as a key account manager, successfully building customer relationships, as well as gaining CMI qualifications, Sophie now works as Relationship Manager at Ground Control, a role which she helped to create, scope, and push forward.

Through, listening to and nurturing client relationships, Sophie helps to retain clients’ portfolios and has created new, joint working systems for multiple, similar clients, providing an overall better service and contributing to continuous, improved customer satisfaction rates.

Sophie now mentors one of the Key Account Managers, helping to shape the growth for the next generation of Relationship Managers at Ground Control.

Speaking of her accomplishments and plans for the future, Sophie commented:

I am proud of my ability to build and maintain customer relationships and influence them to make good decisions. It’s always so satisfying to see the finished product of what we do, and the impact of outdoor spaces on people, especially during Covid-19. I love being part of that.

In the future, I would like to be in a position where I can be the link between our industry, land-owning businesses in the UK, and environmental projects helping them all achieve their goals by bringing people together.

I know a lot of young people want to make a difference. Climate change and reducing biodiversity are two of the biggest challenges we face, and this industry is making a difference. This is the active, coal face work of protecting our environment. I am pleased to be part of a business like Ground Control that’s willing to train, develop and reward young people coming into the industry.

I am incredibly proud to work in this industry, and of how much I have learned over the last seven years about landscaping and arboriculture.

The Pro Landscaper 30 under 30: The Next Generation Initiative has been running since 2015 and has seen 180 winners of this prestigious award. It has helped propel them into the landscaping limelight, with most of the winners going on to bigger and better things since collecting their award.

Judges commented:

The selection process was tough and was carried out under strict criteria, so Sophie’s achievement for winning this award should not be underestimated.

Richard Kay, Chairman of Green-tech commented:

“We would like to congratulate Sophie on her amazing achievement, we’re sure this accolade will boost her career and help raise her profile within the landscape and horticulture industry.”

Sophie has provided outstanding customer service, being the champion for both her client’s and her company is something that she loves doing, even with it’s challenges. By innovatively thinking, collaborating and finding creative solutions to her client’s queries, issues and often complex needs it what she believes she does best.